A Lesson in Adversity

Another wake up call came my way today in the shape of an empty bank account, which means that for the next 2 weeks I am having to live on the bare minimum.

This is, of course, not the first time that I have been in this situation and previously my reaction to this realisation would be one of adopting the attitude that this would now be my reality for the rest of my life, resulting in feeling despair for days and days after the event. And it wasn’t just around money either.

Whatever adversity I would be faced with, my instant reaction would be one of having no hope of improvement! Where did this come from? And why have I not been aware of it until now I wonder?!

My initial reaction today was a repetition of my usual reaction, but this time it was so brief and it was as if there was a voice telling me that “everything is fine as it is and will work out fine,  and that since there is nothing I can do at this moment to change this, worrying about the next 2 weeks will be a waste of energy”

I guess that having a very busy day at work was a good thing, but then again, in the past I would usually completely lose my focus as my mind would fill with images of doom and gloom and it would take a huge amount of effort to snap out of it.

I am extremely happy that I didn’t react in the usual way today and while I am curious to understand what caused this positive change in reaction, I think it is more important for me to remember today next time I am faced with a set back.

Today feels like a “strange” but positive turning point.

While the next 2 weeks may prove challenging, this is the first time I am at a belief that it is only a set back (with another lesson) and that it is only temporary.

I will leave you with these beautiful words that perfectly sums up how I feel. (Thank you Fibi)

“Everything is as it should be – if it was meant to be any different – it would be..”

Wealth

What’s your perception of wealth? What is your attitude towards wealthy people? Is it envy? Is it “they may be rich but at least I am spiritual”? You add to it!

For years I had those attitudes towards wealthy people and I kept convincing myself that money wouldn’t make you happy and that the more money you have the more responsibilities you would have and that there’s more to life than money! At the same time I would buy lottery tickets hoping I would win but the interesting part of that was the fact that I kept telling people that I didn’t want to win the jackpot or millions because I wouldn’t know what to do with it. All I wanted to win was 100,000 or so because that seemed easier to deal with and in my mind came with less responsibility than winning a million or more. I still haven’t figured out where that strange belief came from but at least I am aware of it now and I have changed it.

Money itself does not make you happy (it’s only paper and metal) but what I have come to believe is that having money makes it easier to be happy! It gives you the freedom to focus on happiness without the worry of bills coming in etc.

Also, having a lot of money is not evil or un-spiritual or whatever label you choose t put on it, although the media will try their best to tell you otherwise, but that is a different blog entry entirely!

What I am trying to tell you is that wealthy people aren’t evil. In my job I deal with a lot of wealthy people and I have to tell you that they are a lot easier to deal with than the people who live in lack. They are genuine, friendly and caring people, much more so than the middle class – pretend to be rich clan.

I know that I have changed my perception of wealthy people from being in a place of envy to kind of associating with them in a sense. I want more for myself and learning from these people is a step in the right direction. At the same time I am also trying to pass my point of view on to people around me, whether that is right or wrong, but I feel that everyone has the ability to make their life one of joy and happiness instead of just observing other people’s happiness but what I experience from people around me when the conversation is around wealth is mostly comments like “they were from a rich family”, “I have to work hard for my money” etc, and the way they speak is like wealth is only for a select few, who were dealt the good cards! But not for them and this is the part I no longer understand! Why do some people simply accept that they have no control over their life and live a life of lack and misery when there is an alternative? I know the alternative and although I have yet to find the magic formula at least I am doing something about it and one of the most important discoveries I have made so far is the fact that there are no end result because I am constantly reaching for more. The goals I had even 2 weeks ago have evolved and in another 2 weeks they will have changed again and so the wheel keep spinning.

If you are willing to put in the work and step outside your comfort zone even just a little bit I can promise you that you will see some change, whether your desire is around wealth, health, love, happiness – whatever. Just keep working at it, never give up even when you think that nothing is working – just keep going.

Best wishes

J