Responsibility and the Law of Attraction

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Wednesady May 27 2008

Say hello to the midweek point.

Boy, did the floodgates open yesterday or what? It seems that this week’s topic is really going to push the temperature up with some folks. In fact, I’m seriously considering keeping the theme right through next week if it’s going to be this much fun.

I had a couple of notes yesterday from some people who adamantly wanted me to acknowledge that the circumstances they are currently in were not their responsibility. For one, it was the war, another, the housing crisis, another, the economy, and yet another, the government.

You can only imagine my response.

Other notes clearly indicated that folks were living large in the understanding that if they indeed were responsible for their entire life experience, they were going to live it greatly, and out loud. I suggested to everyone that they play close attention to what our contributors on this topic have to say.

We have a great offering today from our buddy Steve.

Responsibility and the Law of Attraction

by Steve Pavlina

Responsibility for our lives is something we never lose but which we often deny. As I’ve said many times before, you can give away control but never responsibility. The ultimate responsibility for how your life turns out rests with you and you alone… not with your parents, your boss, your ex, your society, God, or anyone else. You can blame whomever you wish, but you’re the one who must experience (or endure) the results.

I sometimes receive feedback from people stuck in the pattern of thinking about what they don’t want. They claim to be focusing on their desires religiously, and they ask me why their goals don’t seem to be manifesting. Then they explain all the reasons they believe they’re having so much trouble.

If I were to write a template for such emails, it would look something like this:

I don’t understand…
I’m frustrated that…
I hate my…
I can’t figure out …
I’m stressed about…
I’m worried that…
I should be able to… but I can’t…
Why am I having so much trouble?

That’s quite a list of intentions, isn’t it? And of course this is exactly what the person is manifesting. What’s missing, however, is that s/he hasn’t accepted responsibility for these results.

The Law of Attraction brings you what you think about. To think is to ask. Every thought is an intention. The Law of Attraction is totally neutral — it doesn’t filter what you ask for. If you think about what you want, you get it. If you think about what you don’t want, you get that too.

If you want to manifest your desires, then it makes no sense to write statements like the above. Even when your desires haven’t yet manifested, remain hopeful and optimistic. Pour on the positive intent, and allow the Law of Attraction to work with you. Stay in the present moment. Be on the lookout for synchronicities. If you start getting frustrated, take a walk or do a meditation to nip it in the bud. Otherwise you’ll negate your desires by intending their opposite.

The key to mastering the Law of Attraction is responsibility. You must accept personal responsibility for everything in your life. And I do mean everything. If you perceive it, you’ve manifested it. Whatever you give your attention to will expand.

How do you learn to stop thinking about what you don’t want? Accept responsibility for attracting it. This raises your consciousness and makes you more capable of successfully applying the Law of Attraction to get what you do want.

Suppose I go on an outing with my kids, and they misbehave like crazy. They pick fights with each other, and I get frustrated with them. Afterwards I have to admit that I attracted this situation by my thoughts. I unconsciously intended it. Perhaps I remembered a previous unpleasant outing as we were leaving. Maybe I was noticing the first sign of conflict and worrying it might escalate. If I gave it any thought, I activated the Law of Attraction.

By assuming responsibility for creating my reality, I also assume the power to change it. I can consciously put more energy into thinking about what I do want. Some of those negative thoughts will still pop into my mind, but I can drown them out with positive alternatives. I can imagine a pleasant outing with the kids even when there’s no external evidence to support it. I don’t need to see proof “out there” when I’m the one creating the proof in the first place. As I keep my intentions positive, I notice almost magically that the kids’ behavior improves. When I’m alone with them, they’re usually well behaved. But their behavior changes to align with the expectations of whomever they’re with. Erin is beginning to understand this too.

What if I deny responsibility for what I experience? What if I say, “Something out there is causing these problems, and I’m only noticing what is happening”? Then I’m powerless to change my reality. If I focus my thoughts on what I’m already getting, I’ll unknowingly activate the Law of Attraction to continue bringing me more of the same. My situation will never fundamentally change. And how can it change? If I’m thinking about what I’m already getting, then I’m manifesting a loop. It’s stable. If my life is filled with the manifestation of my desires, I’m in heaven. If my life is filled with what I don’t want, I’m in hell.

If you’re determined to think about what you don’t want, I certainly can’t stop you. The best I can do is to hold you accountable for your results, which can help you become more aware of what you’re doing to yourself. But if you really want to beat yourself up, go for it. Just note that I won’t be joining you for the subsequent pity parties down the road. I’m not coming to save you, nor is anyone else. Only you can save you.

Personal testing is the only reason I accept the Law of Attraction. It’s proven itself to me beyond a reasonable doubt. I’ve been working with it consciously for a few years now, and it still freaks me out sometimes. Who’d have thought we could attract what we want just by thinking about it? Does reality really work that way? If it seems impossible, the thought of its impossibility will manifest like any other. If you don’t believe in the Law of Attraction, you’re actually using it to negate itself, which is a perfectly valid application, albeit one that will bring you lots of frustration.

One of the reasons I’m so happy and passionate about my life is that I’m getting better at aligning myself with the Law of Attraction. I’m having a wonderful time experimenting with it. As I think about what I want, I keep wondering when it’s going to show up. When I try to control how it comes to me, I usually block it. But when I relax and allow it to happen, that’s when it finally begins showing up. The right people, resources, and opportunities somehow find me, usually through unexpected synchronicities.

The skeptical part of my brain has trouble believing reality could actually work like this. It requires a new model of reality in which the Law of Attraction makes sense. Consequently, I’ve had to make major adjustments to my beliefs to compensate for the Law of Attraction. This led me towards a more subjective view of reality, which eventually became my default way of thinking.

After relaxing my preconceptions about what’s possible, I experienced many things I previously thought impossible. The skeptic in me is much less resistant because he has a new context for explaining how such things might be possible. And each new validation makes it easier to open up to even more possibilities.

It all begins with accepting 100% responsibility for your reality. You’re the one who’s creating it right now. Are you creating what you want or what you don’t want?

Change your dominant thoughts, and you’ll see reality change as well.

Taking Responsibility - the Biggest Freedom

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Tuesday May 27 2008

Welcome to this fine Tuesday.

The topic for this week came clear to me yesterday. I read some articles about how some entrepreneurial folks are turning the economic downturn, the highest ever gas prices, and the devastated real estate market into outstanding opportunities.

The one single thing that these entrepreneurs have in common is, they all took 100% responsibility for “everything”. And from that stance they clearly saw what to do to thrive while most folks cower in panic.

The theme of “personal responsibility” is going to ring some bells this week. Let’s get started.

Taking Responsibility - The Biggest Freedom

by Nisandeh Neta

Let's go for a bus ride, shall we? You've actually been traveling in this bus for quite some time already. This bus is called your life.

It has a destination plate on the front. You have simply never read it before, as you're not accustomed to being on the outside of your bus.

You choose who's driving, while you're hanging around and enjoying the ride. Some choose their mother or father (or both) to drive their bus; others nominate a social, political or spiritual figure to drive their bus, whilst others choose a significant other. In fact, most people I know nominate another to drive THEIR bus.

The driver may change over the years or as a result of different events. For a while, you may even nominate your physician or therapist to be the driver of your bus, perhaps even your lawyer or accountant.

In most instances, you choose experienced drivers. They know how to shift the gears, use the blinkers and operate the radio.

Since you don't know your destination, they'll take you where they think you ought to be going. It will ultimately be their choice of destination.

And while your designated driver drives, you can enjoy the ride. Walking from the first row to the last one, living happily (or not) in your little bus, called life.

Since you have nothing of significance to do, you may get a little bored. Most people do.Some fall asleep, hoping to fall into an interesting dream. Some fill the emptiness with anything they can find in the mini-bar of the bus. Others still, turn on the little blue box at the rear of the bus, staring at the moving pictures, describing other people and their bus journeys.

It's not until many years and as many miles down the road that the realization dawns upon them, "Hey, I'm missing my journey". I see it everyday.

Some wake up 5 or 10 years too late only to discover that while their spouse drove their bus, they missed their children's early years. Others wake up with a bang, usually around their forties to realize that while their boss was driving their bus, they forgot what youth, playfulness and joy were.

Most people are afraid to drive their own bus.They believe that they're not capable. Not good enough.They were conditioned to believe that others know better.Some think that they have no choice. They were born with a driver and that's life.

For many it's comforting to know, that there's always someone else to blame for any bump in the road or a turn that leads to a dead-end.

However, there are also consequences and costs for not driving your bus... You feel powerlessness as a direct result of not having control over your life. You are traveling in a direction that in reality has nothing to do with where you really wish to be... your destination.

Usually your driver chooses the radio station he or she likes. And this constant background music might not be to your liking. And most of all, traveling as a passenger in your own bus is infinitely boring and unfulfilling.

So, how about taking the steering wheel in your own hands? Give your driver a 15-second-notice and then throw him or her off your bus. See what happens.

When you sit in front, you'll see the road ahead of you. You're not that busy with all that surround you from the sides. You don't spend valuable time, looking back through the rear window. Everything is new, fresh and exciting. The bumps on the way are still there, but this time you choose how to handle them. You can even choose your favorite radio station.

I can hear some of you screaming from the back, "God is my shepherd, God is my designated driver!" Well folks, here's a newsflash: if God is your shepherd, then his job is to navigate, not to drive! Make friends with God, Spirit, the Universe, your Higher-Self - whatever you want to name it. Invite him (her) to sit next to you and ask him what's your destination. He knows it.

Then, along the way, you can ask him what's the best turn here and there... and listen carefully. When you get the answer - it is still YOU who choose to follow the directions, or turn the other way.

Remember, the destination is only an excuse for the journey. So, enjoy the ride.

PS. Wanna know what is written on the destination plate of YOUR bus?

It says... freedom!

Success - There Is No Try

A note from peter@thewealthyattitude.com for Thursday April 24 2008

Say hello to Thursday.

Next week we’ll be celebrating the end of 1/3rd of 2008!

“Egad”, he says, “1/3rd of the year gone by, and I’m not 1/3rd of the way to achieving my dreams and intentions for the year.”

Does this sound like something that you might just be saying to yourself?

Not to fret. The great part of it is that we still have a full 2/3rd’s to get the plan into full and complete fruition. But, we can’t dally!

So, no excuses.

Today’s offering may provide a compassionate “prod”.

Success: There Is No Try
By Dennis Harting

One of the quickest ways to change your life is to raise your standards. The concept of turning unacceptable behaviors into acceptable actions instantly lifts the level that one operates at. A main component of this is to accept responsibility for one's decisions, actions, and results.

To improve everything that you do, it is important to understand that there is no such thing as “try”. This simple statement is what gives people the option of not being successful. In any situation, there is only do or do not. Either the action was taken or it was not. To believe that there are any other options is to open oneself up to deflecting the responsibility. The statement “I'll try” pre-paves the way to offer up an alibi if questioned later.

The successful do not have this in their vocabulary. If one is going to climb the achievement ladder, then a commitment to success must be made. This is done by making a decision to be successful. For many, a true decision cuts off the possibility of any other outcome. Having a “try” mentality does not lead to the definitive action necessary for accomplishment. The more one commits to a positive outcome, the greater the likelihood that will be the result.

Picture in your mind what someone looks like when trying to do something. What are they doing? Is anything being accomplished? Certainly, effort is being exerted. There is some action taking place. However, nothing is really happening. Imagine that I am instructed to move a huge boulder that weighs thousands of pounds. I try to move it by pushing with all my might. For hours I exert effort until I am at the point of exhaustion. What have I done? My response can be that I “tried” to move the boulder. Nevertheless, a successful mindset tells me that I failed to move the object. I simply was unable to complete the task.

A “certain” mind is a powerful weapon. When one states “I will accomplish this”, tremendous forces begin to line up to assist in the completion of the task. People are drawn to others who have that clarity. They also appreciate that commitment. The more individuals see the persistence of another, the better the chance that others will get involved.

Problems are handled easier when one adopts this outlook. Cutting off the possibility of failure enlists the creative forces of the mind. It is amazing how many options one can amass when the absolute commitment to achievement is undertaken. “Trying” leads to a stagnant mind. The idea of offering the excuses for failure is already in motion. Instead of focusing upon a viable solution, the mind begins to concentrate on generating believable reasons for the incompletion. Incidentally, what we focus upon usually creates the results that we experience.

Taking responsibility for all what we do is what leads us to take responsibility for our lives. The talents that are within each of us are much greater than we believe. Also, holding ourselves to a higher standard of accomplishment, rather than excuses, leads to an improved life. Our entire existence is made up of a series of life circumstances. The better each situation, the more success we enjoy. Replacing “try” with the word “will” enables us to claim our power for success. There are incredible talents within each individual that are immediately brought to the forefront.

We move from excuse maker to producer.

Dennis Harting is the Head Coach at Your Rich Life. He is an acclaimed speaker, trainer, and best-selling author. His international best selling books include Your Easiest Million and The Ultimate Procrastination Handbook. He also has had thousands of articles published worldwide. His programs and more information can be found at: http://www.yourrichlifeinc.com

Gossip, Rumors and Innuendo

By Gary Ryan Blair

"Extraordinary people talk about ideas, average people talk about events, and little people talk about other people. Which of these best describe you?"

To many people, the idea of "workplace violence" connotes the physical harm that one may do to another. However, there is another form of workplace violence that is just as dangerous and insidious, and this is workplace gossip, rumors, and innuendo.

While your first inclination may be to consider the way we talk as not being violent, the fact remains, our words in the context of gossip, rumors, and innuendo often lead to hurt, pain and suffering.

Today there's an ever-increasing emphasis on gossip, rumors, and innuendo which is played out in any number of Reality TV shows, in celebrity gossip shows, in the print media, and in political campaigns. Just to prove this point, I contacted the National Enquirer and learned that they sell more than 3 million copies each week!

In company offices, in meetings, on the phone, in emails, in social settings and around the water cooler, people are spending more time talking about someone else - in language that is most often harmful, hurtful, critical, demeaning, and judgmental - and outside the presence of the one who is the subject of the conversation.

Understanding Gossip and Those Who Gossip Gossip is an emotional cancer in the workplace that eats away at the sense of well-being of the individual and the team.

One of the hallmarks of a true "team" is shared values - including mutual honesty, trust and respect. Where gossip rears its ugly head, these shared values are nonexistent. In fact, when gossip exists in the workplace, there can be no "team." The label "team" is meaningless. At best, there is but a "group."

Contrary to popular opinion, gossip is not benign; it's not idle; it's not tame; it's not "for the fun of it." It's certainly not entertainment, and if you at all interested in living a quality life and running a quality business, you must put an end to it!

Ending Gossip, Rumors, and Innuendo When dealing with gossip in the workplace and throughout your life, it's critical to explore not only the symptom, but also the root cause of this particular aspect of "workplace violence." And, to discover root causes, it's well to turn the microscope on yourself and begin by answering a number of important questions:

1. What are my true motivations for gossiping?

2. What does gossiping get me?

3. Why am I willingly (consciously or unconsciously) choosing to cause another person harm, hurt, upset, or pain?

4. Is there another way to get this same result without harming another?

Honest and responsible responses to these questions can give you some insights into your personal relationship and help you to put an end to it in your office and throughout your life.

Everything counts!

If you'd like to learn how to eradicate gossip and live a more quality life, then get this Special Report: Gossip, Rumors, and Innuendo - Understanding Gossip and How to Control It!