*** Welcome ***

This month has been one in which most of my plans have had to be changed in one way or another. Either I had something unexpected added to my schedule, appointments were delayed, or what I had planned didn't happen for some reason. It all worked out, but on top of the pressure of the holidays, the added complication of adapting to the changes increased the stress. As a result of the time constraints, many of the things I'd planned to do didn't get done. This past year (actually the past couple of years) has been rough, and this month was just a continuation of the theme. I'm so ready for a new year and a new, more harmonious, beginning. I hope your new year is bright and peaceful!

*** Feature Article ***

* Is Your Investment Worth It? *
by
Linda-Ann Stewart

An investment is energy we've expended on a part of our life, whether it's an attitude or belief we hold, finances or another personal area. And, as with any investment, we expect to receive a return from it. If a person invested their money, i.e. financial energy, in a particular stock, they want the stock to increase in value and to pay dividends. But many times, if the stock loses its value, the owner will refuse to sell it at a loss, hoping that it will rebound to its former value. In so doing, they keep their money tied up in something that's no longer of benefit to them.

The same is true of any area of our lives. Most of us spend time and energy at our place of employment, expecting to be compensated for our investment. However, a person may stay at a job they've outgrown for the dividend of security, social interaction or avoiding the fear of looking for a new job. But many times we stay at a job, channeling our energy into areas that worked for us in the past, but aren't benefiting us now.

I once knew a talented artist who owned a succession of art stores. Every one failed for various reasons. Each time, she and her children were evicted from their home and her family or friends took them in. Although she consciously wanted to be a success, she got a huge dividend from failing. For several months, sympathetic friends would take care of her family and she had no responsibilities. After a number of years, some of her friends got tired of the pattern, and refused to come to her rescue. But the mold was set. Even though it no longer worked for her, she never could break the habit of failure.

Suppose a person wants to be healthier, but keeps smoking, eating junk food, and never exercises. Where is their investment in their goal of health, and what dividends are they reaping? They're investing their energy in what might have served a purpose at one time, but no longer meets their needs. But they keep acting on what's no longer working for them out of habit, and continue to harm themselves because they don't want to make the effort to change.

A person might continue to focus on their lack of health, friends, or harmony in their lives. That is their investment, therefore their dividends are going to be a reflection of what's filled their consciousness. I've known many people who "enjoy ill health," meaning that they experience health issues, but also reap the reward of others who feel sorry for, and take care of, them. Others manifest difficulties in their personal lives and get attention when their friends sympathize with them.

If your life isn't what you want it to be, assess where you're investing your energy. Are you thinking or believing in something negative? What happens when you don't achieve the goal you consciously desire? What dividends do you receive for not reaching it; such as attention, sympathy, help from others, safety, security, a reduction of responsibility, or something else? When you're able to figure out what the investment and dividends are, you'll be able to decide whether you want to keep your energy invested that way or channel it in a new way. It is your choice to change or not, but know that it's your Divine Right to have all the Good the Universe has to offer. Is your negative investment worth not having all that Good?

copyright (c) 2004 Linda Ann Stewart

*** Affirmation ***

I have a Divine Right to all the Good the Universe has to offer. If I'm not experiencing that Good, I now assess where I'm investing my energy. I discover what the dividends are for not manifesting my goal, realizing the dividends that may have helped me in the past are no longer benefiting me in the present. I have the right to make a new choice that reflects what aligns with my Higher Good.

*** Question and Answer ***

Question: Why have I been blocked from manifesting a change in my career?

Answer: If you're having trouble manifesting your chosen career, I'd suggest examining what your beliefs about it are. You may feel that it's going to be difficult to make it, you could have a core belief that you have to struggle, or you may have had a life where you tried to please people and fear their envy if you're successful. Begin by meditating on what you feel is blocking it. You can also affirm that "The truth of this situation is now revealed to me."

In manifesting what you want, you need to let your subconscious mind know what you want, and trust that it will manifest it in due time. You can affirm that you may not know what to do next, but your subconscious mind knows and now brings to you whatever you need. Follow any leads, any ideas that might come to you. Realize that the result may not come directly from what actions you take, but the actions are creating a ripple effect, and the fulfillment may come from an unknown direction.

Would you like to submit a question for me to answer in the newsletter? If so write to me at: linda-ann@cedarfire.com

*** New ***

* New Articles *

My article isn't really a new one. I wrote it three years ago for the new year. Since it's the time again when many people make New Year's resolutions, I thought it would be a good idea to remind you of it. It's difficult to keep New Year's resolutions, but this article describes some ways to successfully fulfill your intentions. I've added an affirmation at the end of the article. Read How To Make And Keep Your New Year's Resolutions.

Using teaching stories, the guest article encourages us to transcend our self-limiting beliefs by recognizing their falseness, wake up from our ignorance and recognize our own majesty, and manifest our life purpose of inner power. Read Manifesting Our Inner Potential by Robert Elias Najemy.

*** Recommended Reading ***
"Reach Your True Potential: How To Overcome Self-Defeating Behavior"
by Sheri O. Zampelli

This book was also published under the title "From Sabotage To Success." The author was once a drug-addict, and knows about self-sabotage inside and out. After getting clean, she discovered how affirmations can change a person's beliefs, thereby changing their reality. This book is an intense and complete look at self-sabotage and ways we can change it so that we can achieve our dreams. Each chapter ends with activities to help create the life the reader wants, and most chapters include exercises that help to uncover or examine the self-defeating ideas and behaviors that have held the reader back.

The author explores the different attitudes that undermine success. She also gives comprehensive explanation of why we sabotage ourselves, along with the attitudes and behaviors that hold us back. The author is a great believer in affirmations (as am I), and gives directions on how to write your own, along with pages of affirmations for different issues.

The thing that sets this book apart is all the exercises, activities, and techniques the reader can use to overcome sabotage and create the life they want. This isn't just a book of abstract, motivational inspiration, but a book of practical, "do it" knowledge that anyone can use to improve their life.

To read more about it, click on Reach Your True Potential: How to Overcome Self-Defeating Behavior.

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February 2004
Volume 4, Issue 8