Of course an attitude of gratitude attracts that which you love.  But it does something else:  It completely directs you focus…

It moves you from focusing on what you don’t have, to appreciating what you do.  Which attracts yet more good, and accelerates the process.  It changes your consciousness from victim-hood to victory.  And when you change your consciousness – that changes everything!

And speaking of gratitude, here in the United States of America, it is Memorial Day.  That is the day we recognize and honor all of our brave warriors who paid the ultimate price protecting our country.  It is a time of ceremonies, parades, picnics and barbeques.  Please take some time to remember the fallen, and appreciate all those who currently serve, as well as their families.  And if you are driving, please don’t drink.

Happy Memorial Day.  And know I am grateful for each and every one of you!

- RG

But an interesting thing…

Only about one in 500 people actually made a declaration and named what they would have the account for.

Makes me wonder…

How much of that’s people’s shyness to post public comments  — and how much is it people with worthiness issues who won’t give themselves the gift of something abundant?

Just wondering…

-RG

The Extravagance Account.

This is a new account you create, separate from your retirement, investment or savings account.  This is an account you start and build for one simple purpose: to enjoy something extravagant!

The only rule is it can’t be a necessity.  It has to be something extravagant.   Oh and one more rule…

You have to add to this account every week.  Even if it’s only a dollar, you have to make some progress toward attaining it.

Make the extravagance relative to where you’re at now on the success journey.  You want something that stretches you, but is attainable enough that you can sell it to your conscious mind.

So for some of you this might be a spa weekend or hotel getaway where you live.  For others it might be a cruise around the world, a Shelby Mustang, or a shopping weekend in Milan.  But you want something fun and compelling that will pull you towards it.

Why I’m suggesting this is it does several things for you.  First and foremost, it gets you dreaming again.  It increases the size of the prosperity window through which you see the world.  And it gives your subconscious mind something to move toward, which will cause it to cause you to perform daily actions forward.

So are you up for it?  If so, please declare it below, and if you don’t mind, share what your extravagance account is for.

- RG

Technically that is true, because money is not inherently spiritual or inherently evil.  It is a resource that can be used for either positive or negative ends.   And even though technically this is true, in practicality, personally I do see money as inherently spiritual.

This is because I view money as God in action for what it allows us to do.  And while people can use money for negative things, when they do so, they are out of accord with the nature of the universe.  As a result, they’re always going to face resistance, while people who use money in accord with universal laws will always prosper.

Poverty is a sin because it separates people from their true nature and glorious potential.  People who are worried about making the rent or providing groceries for their family aren’t using contemplating higher spiritual matters – they are immersed in their struggle for survival.

When they get the money thing out of the way – which means they morally and ethically create enough wealth to exceed their needs – they now can evolve into the delicious existence of contribution on a greater scale.  And that’s when things really get sexy…

You up for it?

-RG

Likewise, who you will become isn’t determined by what’s happening to you right now either…

You may have just won $50 million in the lotto, or you could have just received a negative medical diagnosis.  Either one is an external influence that can’t alter your character unless you allow it to.

So what really sculpts you into who you become?

How you respond to what happens to you.  The perspective you view it from and the decisions you make about it.    And the really good news is that you get to decide that.

Ain’t it great!

- RG

You get to these places by the power of thought.  If you let your thoughts drift aimlessly, you are always reacting to someone else’s agenda, which produces results not in your own best interest.

On the other hand, if you consciously choose to become the thinker of the thought, you then control the programming of your subconscious mind.  And once you program your subconscious mind, it controls the daily actions you take, which produce the results you achieve.

Here’s the real equation of the law of attraction…

You don’t attract what you want – you attract what you are.

- RG

Some people aren’t happy unless they’re unhappy. 

Some people are so invested in being a victim, they reject anything that could be a good thing for them.  And they often ridicule, belittle, or even attack people who are striving to do, have and become more in life.

By all means, try to make peace with them.  Just know that some people who attack you don’t ever want peace with you.  No matter what you do or say they cannot be won over because they thrive on their perceived injustice and being the aggrieved party.  Their entire identity is tied up in being a victim.

Reach out with love.  But if they’re not willing to accept it, set boundaries on how you will allow yourself to be treated.  If they don’t honor the boundaries, get them out of your life.

You’re not the victim whisperer.

- RG

If you plant and tend your garden, it will produce flowers or fruits, the things you cultivate.  If you don’t plant specific seeds, then animals, wind and other elements will cause random things to fall into it, producing an abundance of weeds and wild vegetation, likely to choke out useful plants.  One thing is certain – something will grow in your garden.

Just as a gardener must tend his or her plot, keeping out the weeds, you must tend the garden of your mind, weeding out the thoughts of lack, limitation and negativity.  You must nurture and tend the thoughts of happiness, success and purpose.

If you practice gardening of this kind, you will soon discover that you are the master gardener of your soul.  You will come to the profound revelation that you are not the victim of your circumstance – but the architect of them.  For it is the thoughts that you give precedence to that shape your character, create your circumstances, and determine your ultimate destiny.

BOOM!

The outer circumstances and environment of your life is directly connected to your inner state.  The most important thing you can learn about success, prosperity and happiness is this – thought and character are one.

No one wakes up one day in prison, or divorce court, or the emergency room.  It is the direct result of the thoughts you have had up to that point.

Now if you are like most people, this is the part where you start to mentally make excuses for yourself… 

You believe that what I just said is true for other people most of the time, but you are quite certain that you have been the victim of extenuating circumstances beyond your control.  Your situation is different.  You’re special.

Bullshit.

And the day you stop buying into that bullshit – is the day you break through to levels of greatness that are simply breathtaking.  Are you up for it?

-RG

Breaking things may be risky, but in today’s economy, not taking risks pretty much guarantees you will fail…

Today down is up, and up is down.  The advances in technology, the accelerating speed of change, and other factors have redefined both what success is, and how you get there today.  If you watched my Safe is the New Risky video, then you know all the rules have changed.

So how are you about taking risks?  And what risk will you take today?

-RG

Making a change is often like having to fire someone, end a relationship, or pulling a tooth:  Better to get it over with.

This is a very relevant topic for me because I’ve recently come to grips with a situation in my own life…

I like to think I embrace change.  I never procrastinate; I just get things done.  When I see how changing something will improve my life, I do it.  I seek challenges and tackle them readily.  But I recently noticed something very disturbing..,

Because I’m introverted, I have a tendency to stay in limiting business situations too long.  This was a pattern I had in romantic relationships for many years.  I would realize a relationship was dysfunctional and end it.  And then, rather than face the risk of a new relationship, I’d find myself going back to the ex and try again.  I repeated that pattern in four or five relationships before I finally got over it.

But just when I’m ready to pat myself on the back, something else became apparent…

I’m surrounded by a lot of people that play small. 

Oh, maybe not by most people’s standards.  But if I’m honest, I have to admit I have surrounded myself with people who give me permission to stay the way I am.  And that is the sure path to mediocrity.

I got in many business partnerships 10, 15, or even 20 years ago that I’m still in.  Some are suppliers, some are partners, and others are simply colleagues that I may brainstorm with.  I attracted these people when I was vibrating at a much lower consciousness, and had a much smaller vision of myself and my work.  And how do I say this delicately…

While I’ve been growing my vision, not all of these people have been.  So when I announce a new project, or come up with a new idea, I have to sell them on it.  They doubt the feasibility or think I’m aiming too big.  And kind of like “the devil you know” cliché, I’ve settled for people I know and am comfortable with, instead of going out and attracting new people who would challenge me more.

This is not an indictment of the people in my world.  They all have their own lives and get to make their own choices.  This is an indictment on my own issues.  Settling for the familiar and comfortable, instead of going for awesome.  That is now officially over.

But enough about my drama.  I share it only in that it may contain a lesson for you.

Are you open to change?  Are you constantly seeking it?  And have you surrounded yourself with people that challenge you to grow – or give you permission to stay in your comfort zone?  Are you ready to be AWESOME!  Please share your thoughts below.

-RG