Are You Better Off Now Than You Were 6 Months Ago?

Do you ask yourself this question: Am I better off now than I was then? By what criteria would you measure your response. You have more money? You have better health? You found the love of your life? You found a great job? I would suggest that these are not the ways you measure your life.

Recently I received a letter from from a beautiful person who had just read my three books, The Road Home, 30 Days to Prosperity, and Beyond Blaming. She spoke of how she has gained a sense of positive expectancy in life. She went on to say that she is making changes in her thinking every day and that blessings are coming to her exponentially that truly surprise her. She is having fun! She thanked me for impact my work has had on her life. She is doing my free online class and is having "Aha moments every day." She didn't write to me that she is making more money now. She didn't write that she found the love of her life, nor did she talk about regaining vibrant health. Maybe she is making more money or having better health; I don't know.

In the New Testament of the Bible, Matthew 6:33 to be exact; it reads: "But seek first the kingdom of Heaven... and all else will be added." What struck me about her letter was that she had found her inner sense of joy; her inner sense of prosperity; and her inner sense of well-being. The outward manifestations, which she did not specifically mention, were a natural result. I was moved by the sheer joy expressed in her letter.

Her letter reminded me not to focus on outward appearances, but to focus on what is happening within. Had she written to me that she was now making more money or that her health had suddenly improved, I would have been happy for her--but not moved--not inspired. Her joy is a "measurement" to me that my work has value, and that she has done her work. She is truly better off for the joy that she allows herself to experience. Increased financial or physical well-being without the inner joy, without the inner well-being, would not offer meaning at all.

So, are you better off than you were six months ago? If you think you aren't how are you measuring it? Are you feeling better? More joyful? Do you have greater control over your tendencies to get angry or hurt? Can you see that you have greater wisdom now than you did six months ago? Has your awareness expanded? Are you able to move through fear more quickly and easily now than before? Focus on what is happening on the inside, not the outside.

If you focus on manifestation, and don't see anything yet, you will discourage yourself. You will create a mental environment that supports depression, disappointment, anger, or hurt. Focus on how you have grown. Cultivate that joy without "needing" to have the manifestation. Stop waiting for something to happen, and be at peace now. Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, your Higher Self, the unconditional love of Spirit, your inner wisdom; seek and find these things, and all else will be added.

Miracles are natural. They are the natural manifestation of love and positive expectancy. Certainly you want to have money, and health and loving relationships. Yet these are not the sources of your joy. They are the effects of your joy. Focus on Cause, on your Source within, on the love and joy within you, and allow the effects to manifest in good time.

Are you better off than you were six months ago? If so, give thanks and bless yourself. Immerse yourself in the joy and love that you have within. Radiate that joy outward to others. If you are not better off, know that you are but one thought away from it. Make it your intent to feel joy and gratitude today. Make it your intent to offer up your negative thoughts to Spirit and immerse yourself in Divine Love. Make it your intent to see Source within as that which nourishes you, and outer manifestations simply as the effects of your good work. See and feel the joy, and immediately radiate it outward to others. You will immediately begin to be "better off".