Have you ever thought about why things present themselves to us? I have recently come across 3 different items mentioning children in need and, most specifically, children with cancer. When something like this comes up in our lives we need to pay attention.
Why have I watched a TV special for St Jude's Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org), participated in a fun game on Facebook to raise money for them, and received a MySpace blog about Princess Diana's ongoing charity work (www.theworkcontinues.org.uk) ? These things present themselves in our lives because on some level they are important to us and so that we can do something about them.
It is pretty common knowledge that we are bombarded by over 2 million bits of information each second. We can only take in 134 bits per second - 7 to 9 bits at a time - so we have a part of our brain that decides to let in only what is important to us. This is called the reticular activating system. Only those things that have relevance to us are "noticed." So the fact that we have noticed something means that it IS important to us.
This has 2 applications. Firstly, we are noticing it because on some level we recognize that it is important to us or, I believe, to the human community. We are to pay attention to it, not just brush it aside and go on. If this resonates with you please find some way to help children and families in your area.
Secondly, we will not notice things which we are not looking for. We will see things that tend to reinforce our preconceptions. If we are looking for angry selfish people we will find them. If we are looking for loving helpful people we will find them instead. It has been stated for many years that we are what we think. Our lives right now are determined by what we are expecting them to be.
Let me take a moment to liken this to the economic crisis we have right now. There is most certainly an economic problem. But how we see that problem will determine to a great extent how we are affected by it. If we are depressed and expecting to lose our job and our house we will be aware of the news that confirms this. We will be subconsciously looking for clues at work that they are trying to get rid of us. This will color our behavior at work. It will affect how we view and trust the people around us. The likelihood that we will lose our job has been increased because we believe it will probably happen.
In addition we are so focused on looking for the bad news we probably won't notice the opportunity that is right in front of us. We are too busy complaining to our friends about how bad it is. This comes full circle to the opportunity to help others.
Because we believe that things are going to be tough financially, we don't reach out and give to others like we could. The economy is emotion driven. When we are scared we hold onto our money. When we hold onto our money we cause the economy to get worse. So, because we don't help others we cause the economy to get worse, and certainly cause their situation to be worse. If you want to be abundant, act abundant and share.
I am not saying to put your family at risk, but look for opportunities to help others knowing that as you give so shall you receive. Expect abundance. Expect the economy to improve. Expect your family to thrive in spite of the current outlook. Ask each morning and evening for eyes to see the opportunities in front of you -opportunities to help and serve. Watch for recurring themes that show up for you, especially if there is an opportunity for service to others.
In loving kindness,
Debby Riddick
http://DRiddick.bigmlmsecrets.com
