Although Prosperity involves wealth, money is only used to
keep score. Money alone cannot buy happiness. The Bible
tells us, "The love of money is the root of all evil." Read
the words literally, it says "the love of money." When I
think about those words I think about Ebenezer Scrooge in
Dickens' "Christmas Carol."
Scrooge amassed a fortune and lived a frugal, self-centered
life. He loved his money and nothing else. Although he was a
wealthy man, his soul wasn't liberated until he actually
spent his money. In the end his money made a lot of other
people happy. Of course, in the process of spending his
money, old Scrooge himself received a great deal of pleasure
because he experienced the good things his money did.
You see money in and of itself has no value. Money only
becomes real when you are spending it. That is one of the
main reasons most of us are not able to save more money than
we do. When you see a balance on your bank statement, it's
just a bunch of numbers on a piece of paper. It only becomes
real when you draw it out and when you buy something with
it.
If you've ever spent any time in the gambling casinos in Las
Vegas or Atlantic City, did you ever stop and wonder why
they play with plastic chips instead of making bets with
real cash? The basic psychology here is powerful. The
players lose sight of the fact that the chips are actually
real money. It's easier to lose plastic chips than to lose
real money...or at least that's the illusion it creates in
people's minds.
The world is teeming with people who lives are overflowing
with despair and misery, people whose destiny is dictated by
their poverty. How could anyone in his or her right mind
even begin to insinuate that a wealthy person doesn't have
at least a better shot at living a happy fulfilled life?
Poverty is not a virtue; it is a curse.
Since childhood you've been subjected to a parade of
self-righteous losers, marching through your life
programming your mind to fail. Everyone told you "Money
Can't Buy Happiness" and, unfortunately, many of us bought
into that lie. Many people have filed that garbage somewhere
deep into their subconscious mind. I have met people who
actually felt guilty because they achieved success as if
they were doing something wrong. It is all of this negative
programming that holds many people back and keeps them from
having the prosperity they deserve. Well, let me say this
about that, all of the things in my life that make me happy
and healthy are much more accessible to me because I have
money. Having money creates choices and peace of mind. I am
firmly convinced that poor people have more stress and more
worry in their lives than wealthy people.
Although money won't buy your good health, it certainly will
make the finest physicians and the best quality medical
services available to you. It will certainly give you the
time, resources, and the freedom to pursue your dreams and
to exercise your creativity.
You don't have to be a criminal to be prosperous although
that's certainly one of your options if that's the road you
choose to take. There are better ways to get there with a
lot less risk involved. If you really understand the power
of The Prosperity Equation, there is never a need to lie or
cheat or sneak or deceive to get what you want; you must
however develop a business mindset. What I mean is, you have
to learn to be straightforward and direct in matters
concerning business. Business decisions are rational and
seldom emotional. You must be able to see things clearly, as
they actually are.
Sometimes a business mindset requires for you to speak
bluntly, with a type of brutal frankness you would never use
in a social environment. Sometimes you have to make
difficult business decisions. Some of these decisions may
have an adverse effect on the lives of people you genuinely
like. Sometimes you have to have the guts to say no when
everyone else is urging you to go forward with a project
that means a lot to them. All of these things go with the
territory. Many wealthy businesspeople amassed their
fortunes because they were calculated, aggressive, and
intense by nature.
Jim Ziegler
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