Are you trying to keep up with the Joneses? Who are the Joneses anyway? It's a funny saying however this phrase is a reality for most of us living in the "material world." We can't help but buy in to the madness of having the biggest, best and the newest. The media bombards us with images of a life most would trade their eye teeth to experience. Of course we all want to live a life of abundance, however how we go about it can create a life of lack. The exact opposite of that which we desire.
This topic came about through my show, Passion and Purpose Radio . Guest author, Dora Nudleman shared her insights on how to live a life for your own fulfillment instead of trying to "keep up with the Joneses." She shared with our listeners the importance of knowing WHAT you want and WHY you want it, and how getting to the why of it all would reveal the truth to the desire. She suggests you ask yourself if your desire is one that would bring your life more fulfillment or is it a desire to keep up with the "Joneses." Sounds simple right? Well, it actually is that simple. Is what you want a representation of something that would bring you more peacefulness, joy or excitement? If it is then you are on the path to a more fulfilling life. If however your response to "why" is that it would improve your status then you are "keeping up with the Joneses."
It's only natural to want to live the life you dream of, however your happiness may be held hostage if your self esteem is tied to those dreams. So how does one live the life they dream of and not let self esteem be the motivator? One way is to seek experiences that are not "material" in nature, ones that will bring more fulfillment into your life. Living your passions is a great way to fill your life with things that matter most. My last blog discusses this very topic. If you don't know what your passions are, I have a great e-workbook coming out in September 2012 that can help you connect with your passions and purpose.
For those of you who are already there, living your passions but haven't seen a change in your "material world," don't give up hope. All it takes is a minor adjustment in your thought patterns. Let's start with purposeful thinking. Yes, you can learn to think on purpose. Actually, you already have a purpose for your thoughts, you just don't realize it. Our thoughts, feelings and actions all have a purpose. Either you are seeking pleasure or avoiding pain. You may say, "same thing" but the reality is it is NOT the same. You see there are two different energies associated with each purpose. One is fear driven (avoiding pain) and one is love driven (seeking pleasure).
The law of attraction teaches, the energy you emit draws to it things that are of the same nature. The best analogy would be a magnet. If you are a "fear" magnet, then more fear based thoughts will be drawn to you. Thoughts of unworthiness, envy, despair, anger, etc. So in a situation where you envision your "dream life" you will have thoughts that are either fear based (unworthy) or love based (worthy). If you believe deep down you are unworthy, then you will unconsciously sabotage your efforts. Procrastination is an indication that you may have feelings of unworthiness.
When you see an image of something beautiful, or desirable what feeling does it invoke? Is it excitement, pleasure, peacefulness? When the feeling arises, then the mind reacts one of two ways. Either a thought process begins to create actions that would allow you to experience that desire or thoughts of despair, envy and disappointment unfold. The interesting thing is the path your "mind" chooses will determine your destination.
The process goes something like this... Thought - Feeling About Thought - Action or Inaction. In order to change the results, you must decide to think a new, more supportive thought! That new more supportive thought will create a new feeling (energy) and you will take actions that will support achieving your desires.
Go ahead, give it a try. Think of an area in your life you are not very pleased with. Now ask yourself how it makes you feel. Then ask yourself what action or inaction's have taken place because of this thought. Ask yourself, what is another way I can see this situation/experience? Another interpretation? How do I feel about this new interpretation? What will I do now that I feel differently about this? How you interpret your experiences will determine your actions, which in turn determines your future.
Now that you have this new tool to use, take a chance at living a life more attuned with your desires. Watch your thoughts, catch them if they are not pleasing and choose a more supportive one. Don't forget that in order to create new situations you must do things differently! So to heck with the Joneses, it's your life, your future, think on purpose and enjoy your creations!
To find out how you can connect with your passions and purpose or how to live a more abundant life, visit my website for coaching options www.FloridaInstituteofPersonalDevelopment.com
Question: Are you living life for your own fulfillment or are you trying to keep up with the Joneses?
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