[PIVOTinJOY] The Economy By Alan Cohen

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Date: Tue, Oct 14, 2008 at 5:17 PMSubject: [PIVOTinJOY] The Economy By Alan CohenPIVOTinJOY

on our current economic crisis

Posted by: " Pelkyong " livingonlylove@...

The Economy

By Alan Cohen

An ancient Chinese blessing wishes recipients; " May you live in

interesting times. " Well, we now have the answer to that prayer.

Actually, all times are interesting, just in different ways.

During the last week and month the economy seems to be at the top of

most people's list of urgent issues to think and talk about. Today the

U.S. government is issuing a new policy to deal with the economic

upsets of late. Below are some suggestions on how to get to a better

feeling place about the economy, and generate practical results for

yourself and others.

Here is my six-point plan. I am not an economist, and frankly I don't

understand all of the complexities of the current market. I do,

however, understand the relationship between thought, belief, feeling,

attitude, expectation, identity, and practical prosperity. So here is

my six-point plan, which will surely work if you apply it:

1. Vision. A visionary sees and remembers the Big Picture in the face

of current appearances to the contrary. The Big Picture of life is

utter abundance. There are vast resources, economic and otherwise, for

those who recognize and claim them. A visionary thrives under all

conditions. There are always people who do well in difficult economic

times, as well as those who flounder in prosperous times. It is not

the economy at large that determines your well being; it is the

consciousness you hold in relation to it. So you have the power to

create a prosperous personal economy — and as you do, you will uplift

the economy at large. The two greatest achievements of the twentieth

century — the Golden Gate Bridge and the Empire State Building — were

funded and built at the height of the great depression. Some

individuals with a broad perspective were not limited by the prevalent

beliefs of the masses. There are, and will be, people who prosper now

and in

the near future. I know people whose businesses are booming now. So

can yours, and by your example you can manifest abundance that will

inspire others and help them in material ways.

2. Trust. When human affairs appear to falter, the hand of the divine

becomes very real and practical. A Higher Power is currently running

the universe far more intelligently and successfully than even the

best economists. The more you stay connected to that Higher Power, the

richer will be your inner peace and your ability to make healthy,

productive decisions. In a Greek myth, the King of Crete sent Theseus

through the labyrinth to kill or be killed by the dreaded monster

Minotaur. The king's daughter Ariadne fell in love with Theseus and

gave him a thread that he let unwind on his way into the labyrinth,

which guided him out once he slayed the monster. Whenever you feel

trapped or lost in the labyrinth of worldly life, your strongest move

is to take hold of the thread of your connection to Spirit, hold firm

to it, and let it lead you back to well-being. One of Dr. Wayne Dyer's

books is entitled, There's a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem, and no

advice could be more appropriate than the economic situation we face

at the moment.

3. Reframe. The Chinese written symbol for " crisis " is a combination

of two other symbols: " Danger " and " Opportunity. " Yes, there is a

danger in our current position. And yes, there is an opportunity.

Perhaps we are receiving a wake-up call to live within our means

rather than leverage ourselves and our institutions beyond a healthy

level. Or we are being invited to recognize that money does not make

us rich, or its temporary absence of restriction make us poor. Perhaps

this situation will influence the upcoming election in a way that will

help us in the long run. Maybe there is a natural balancing occurring

that will make our economy stronger. I cannot say exactly how this

crisis will serve, but I do know that whenever I have faced and

handled the experience of crisis in my personal life, I have been

moved to make decisions that have made improved my world. A Course in

Miracles tells us that " All change is good, " and this should be no

exception.

4. Reset Priorities. In an episode of the popular television series,

Fantasy Island, called, " The Luckiest Man in the World, " a gambler

achieved his fantasy to create an unstoppable winning streak. True to

form, Mr. Roark arranged for the man's young son to visit him at the

same time. When the gambler became hypnotized by winning, he distanced

himself from his son, and the boy was about to leave him. Finally the

father realized he is the luckiest man in the world — not for his

gambling winnings, but for his family. When money seems tight, we have

a window of insight to recognize how rich we are, no matter how much

we have in the bank. If many of us use this time to grow closer to our

families, homes, nature, activities that truly bring us joy,

ourselves, and our Higher Power, this upheaval will have served us well.

5. Circulate. Keep moving your energy, financially and otherwise. The

brilliant metaphysician Florence Scovel Shinn noted, " All disease is

due to congestion and all healing is due to circulation. " This

dynamic applies impeccably to an economic congestion. When people are

afraid to spend money, there is less money in circulation; then people

grow afraid to spend, and the cycle goes on. The dynamics shift when

consumers act not from a sense of lack or fear, but from abundance and

faith. So now would be a great time to spend your money. When you do,

you affirm that you have enough and you keep the circulation moving —

not just from you, but to you. If you don't have money to spend, or

would rather not, then circulate your energy in other ways. Express

your creativity, volunteer, paint, play music, journal, and do

anything to move energy rather than let it stagnate. (Pressing buttons

on the remote control to watch talking heads discuss the economy does not

qualify as circulating energy.)

6. Milk Every Moment. It would be easy to think that you will be able

to relax and enjoy your life as soon as the current crisis is averted

or offset. But that's the carrot at the end of the stick — the one

that you never get to bite. Either life is rewarding now, or it never

will be. From the sense of the ego, or small self, if it's not the

economy you have to wait to handle, it's something else. So now would

be perfect opportunity to practice enjoying your day, regardless of

what money is doing. Stop and chat with the clerk in the supermarket,

play with your kids, call someone you love, walk in the park, or

tinker with your hobby. This is the moment you've been waiting for —

don't miss it!

Everything will work out. It always does. Be of good cheer. Be

uplifted and be an uplifter, and your contribution to the economy,

financial and spiritual, will be paramount.

Quotes and affirmations:

(Sources with known authors acknowledged; other source unknown)

The tide always comes back in. — Norman Peale

Every dollar I spend enriches the economy, blesses everyone it

touches, and returns to me multiplied.

The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. — Psalm 23

I am an abundant being, living in an abundant universe that is

capable, willing, and glad to meet all of my needs and the needs of

everyone.

I am rich in many, many ways. I always have been, and always will be.

It is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. — Luke 12:32

God does not owe, and as a Child of God, created in God's image and

likeness, neither do I.

Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, " You owe

me. " Look what happens with a love like that; it lights the whole sky.

— Hafiz

My cup runneth over. — Psalm 23

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of

love, and of a sound mind. — 1:7

Abundance is right where I stand.

You can afford to be generous because you have access to an unlimited

supply.

Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. No one was there.

Thank God for what you have, and you will always have everything you want.

The best way to predict the future is to create it. — Drucker