This is taken from my notes and experience at the Matermind Marriage Symposium led by Kris & Kalenn Krohn on September 24th, 2014. UPDATE: Part of it is now publicly available on youtube.
There are a lot of articles out there "4 ways to enhance your marriage" or "6 daily tasks to make a bullet-proof marriage" or on and on. Every one I've read has, to me, been not much more than some person's idea of a to-do list, and it's never really resonated with me.
These principles, however, did resonate with me. Perhaps this is because they are principles and not to-dos.
Before I jump in to what they are, these principles are all about becoming an unconditional spouse. Now what might that mean? Be an unconditional spouse? And beyond that, what might it mean to be an unconditional being?
Think on that one for a moment. I have some thoughts and ideas, but your own impressions are probably more insightful for you than mine.
To me, being unconditional means honoring your sense of doing what's right, seeing people as people, and resisting any urge to make your way of being conditional on the actions or way of being of another. By this, I don't mean that you don't respond to what others do, but that you honor their individual sovereignty while unconditionally being in charge of your own as well.
So being an unconditional spouse? It means true commitment. Commitment to showing up 100% even when your spouse does not. It means being kind and loving not just in action, but in thought and soul -- all the way through -- even when your spouse isn't. It means living the following five principles:
1) Your Spouse is Priority #1
2) No Strings Attached
3) Be the Change You Wish to See
4) Accountability
5) End the War on Being Right
1. Your Spouse is Priority #1
Now, you can argue that God is #1 and I would sympathize, but does calling your spouse priority #1 have to be in conflict with that? Are they necessarily mutually exclusive? I don't know that they are, so let's not get hung up on that.
Make your spouse's needs, wants, and dreams your #1 priority. How do you do this? I don't know yet, but I can usually tell when I'm not doing it! When you feel upset with your spouse, what are you prioritizing above your spouse?
2. No Strings Attached
Be willing to give to your spouse without any expectation of receiving something in return. This doesn't mean just once -- we're talking about being unconditional here! It means over and over again.
This is more a way of being than a behavior. If you try to simply force yourself to do this as a behavior, you will find that day after day and with each act, you add drop upon drop of resentment poison to your connection. Do not try to fool yourself here. No, it's not a behavior, it's a shift in your way of being.
If it seems too monumental to take on, try it for a week, or maybe even just a day or two if that's what you need. Persuade yourself that "for this next week, I am going to give to my spouse and I promise I will never seek anything in return for everything I do this week. It's just free." If you believe you can do that, try it! If you need to shorten it, shorten it! But try it, and build up your ability to do it for longer and longer stretches!
3. Be the Change You Wish to See
Can you change your spouse? Do you have that ability? Can your spouse change you? Does s/he have that ability? No, no, no, and no.
We can only control ourselves. When we try to change or put shoulds on our spouse, we are not acting in integrity with the natural law that all men are agents unto themselves. Please note that natural laws are not something you can break -- you can only break yourself against them! I can not change my spouse -- I make invitations and honor his/her choice.
If you want something to be different, look in the mirror and see how you can change. Be the captain of your own ship and only your own ship. Don't try to drive someone else's ship and leave your own captain-less.
If you want something of your spouse you can certainly discuss it with him/her, but if your spouse isn't willing or doesn't want to, see how you can meet that need for yourself. Your spouse is not in charge of your happiness -- that would be telling your spouse to captain your own ship! We are seeking to be unconditional here! The goal is to learn to each captain your own ship such that you are able to navigate them side by side without crashing!
4. Accountability
I never have permission to be upset with my spouse. This statement may rub you the wrong way, but why would I say it?
Well let's think back to our 0th anniversary, the day we got married. What did I do? I said yes! I said I do! I'm the one that married him/her! And I said yes to everything! I said yes to the things I knew, and I said yes to the things I didn't know! I even said yes to the things I didn't know I didn't know!
To say "I didn't agree to that" is simply false and to say "I didn't know I was agreeing to that" is just the point! Of course you didn't know everything you were agreeing to -- you were agreeing to things you didn't fully know at the time.
Marriage is not a contract, it's a covenant. Contracts are deals where each person's portion put together adds up to 100%. It has clauses about how if a certain part of the agreement isn't met then someone is necessarily at fault and then exit clauses are in place. That's not what marriage is about! Marriage is a covenant. Both bring their 100% to the table! And when one doesn't, the other doesn't have a contract that says "oh, well, you didn't bring your 100% today so I'm not either." No! Being an unconditional spouse means you bring 100% regardless of how your spouse shows up! And you don't attach any strings to that either! (See principle #2.)
Are we only willing to take accountability for marrying our spouse when s/he is doing what we want? That conditional statement does not lead us to being an unconditional spouse! It says "I only want to be married to you when you are doing what I want." That doesn't sound like a great relationship to me -- certainly not creating oneness in marriage!
5. End the War on Being Right
Connection, love, and respect are more important than being right.
Essentially this is simply a specific instance of making your spouse your #1 priority. That is, don't make being right a higher priority than your spouse.
I may be right about something in every possible way, but in a win-lose scenario, we both lose.
A Couple Final Thoughts
First, I hope to be clear -- in all of this, does this mean there are no boundaries? That my spouse can do whatever s/he wants, walk all over me if s/he chooses, and I just take it? No, I certainly don't believe so. That wouldn't be showing up 100% for your spouse! However, remember that boundaries are rules of action for yourself. You do not set rules of action for your spouse!
Second, I want to share an insight I had at this symposium that I still don't fully grasp, but I feel like it's coming. I've wondered for some time what it means to want or need something. Whenever I say "I need," I try to always make that a conditional statement. If the statement doesn't become conditional, then I become conditional!
For example, when I say "I need some socks," then I will add "in order to be comfortable wearing my shoes." Now this is a simple example, but if I only say "I need some socks," then what does this mean about me? Really? I need them? Am I somehow incomplete as a human being without them? Well of course not!
Now I realize that in a statement like that about socks, the conditional is somewhat implied: it would be uncomfortable in shoes without them, it would look weird, my feet might be cold, etc. But being deliberate about it has been, for me, helpful and clarifying.
So what about needing my spouse? Do I need my spouse? I brought up this question in the symposium and Kris said "this may not work for you, but I choose to need my spouse." While I have some pondering to do about this, I like the sentiment right off.
It is a natural law that greater happiness is available in a marriage relationship than without one, yet who would ever consider marriage a guarantee for happiness?! The trick is that while greater happiness can be found in such a relationship, my spouse is not responsible for my happiness. S/he does not make me happy. S/he can assist and invite me to be happy but it is ultimately my choice; the same goes with being unhappy!
I very much enjoyed this symposium! It has given me much food for thought! I thank Kris & Kalenn for sharing these things and also thank those couples that participated. It was an inspiring experience!
What other principles have you found in marriage that help you be an unconditional spouse?
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Equality
I've often been in conversations discussing equality vs inequality and differentiating equality from the same. I came across a verse of scripture that spoke of inequality and it piqued my interest to learn more about what the scriptures have to say about it.
Here are some basic questions that have come to mind:
And after looking up all of these scriptures... I don't really feel like diving in for the answers and thought process of it all. So I'll just post what I have as a reference for some other time.
Mosiah 27:3 (26:38, 27:3-5)
"And now all these things did Alma and his fellow laborers do who were over the church, walking in all diligence, teaching the word of God in all things, suffering all manner of afflictions, being persecuted by all those who did not belong to the church of God."
...
"And there was a strict command throughout all the churches that there should be no persecutions among them, that there should be an equality among all men;
"That they should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their peace; that every man should esteem his neighbor as himself, laboring with their own hands for their support.
"Yea, and all their priests and teachers should labor with their own hands for their support, in all cases save it were in sickness, or in much want;"
2 Cor 8:13-14
"For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
"But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be an equality."
Supporting Quote to go find
Brigham Young's quote about sharing one's excesses so all may have an abundance in journal of discourses.
Mosiah 18:21,27-29
"And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.
...
"And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given.
"And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God, and to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul.
"And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants."
Mosiah 29:32
"And now I desire that this inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this my people; but I desire that this land be a land of liberty, and every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike. . ."
Alma 4:12, 15 (9-15, 19)
"And thus, in this eighth year of the reign of the judges, there began to be great contentions among the people of the church; yea, there were envyings, and strife, and malice, and persecutions, and pride, even to exceed the pride of those who did not belong to the church of God.
"And thus ended the eighth year of the reign of the judges; and the wickedness of the church was a great stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its progress.
"And it came to pass in the commencement of the ninth year, Alma saw the wickedness of the church, and he saw also that the example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the destruction of the people.
"Yea, he saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted.
"Now this was a great cause for lamentations among the people, while others were abasing themselves, succoring those who stood in need of their succor, such as imparting their substance to the poor and the needy, feeding the hungry, and suffering all manner of afflictions, for Christ’s sake, who should come according to the spirit of prophecy;
"Looking forward to that day, thus retaining a remission of their sins; being filled with great joy because of the resurrection of the dead, according to the will and power and deliverance of Jesus Christ from the bands of death.
"And now it came to pass that Alma, having seen the afflictions of the humble followers of God, and the persecutions which were heaped upon them by the remainder of his people, and seeing all their inequality, began to be very sorrowful; nevertheless the Spirit of the Lord did not fail him."
...
"And. . .he did. . .go forth among his people. . .that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them."
Alma 16:16 (15-16)
"And thus did Alma and Amulek go forth, and also many more who had been chosen for the work, to preach the word throughout all the land. And the establishment of the church became general throughout the land, in all the region round about, among all the people of the Nephites.
"And there was no inequality among them; the Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of his coming."
Alma 28:13 (10-14)
"And from the first year to the fifteenth has brought to pass the destruction of many thousand lives; yea, it has brought to pass an awful scene of bloodshed.
"And the bodies of many thousands are laid low in the earth, while the bodies of many thousands are moldering in heaps upon the face of the earth; yea, and many thousands are mourning for the loss of their kindred, because they have reason to fear, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are consigned to a state of endless wo.
"While many thousands of others truly mourn for the loss of their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending happiness.
"And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men.
"And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing—sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life."
Alma 30: 7, 11
"Now there was no law against a man's belief; for it was strictly contrary to the commands of God that there should be a law which should bring men on to unequal grounds.
"For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve.
"Now if a man desired to serve God, it was his privilege; or rather, if he believed in God it was his privilege to serve Him; but if he did not believe in Him there was no law to punish him.
"But if he murdered he was punished unto death; and if he robbed he was also punished; and if he stole he was also punished; and if he committed adultery he was also punished; yea, for all this wickedness they were punished.
"For there was a law that men should be judged according to their crimes. Nevertheless, there was no law given against a man's belief; therefore, a man was punished only for the crimes which he had done; therefore all men were on equal grounds."
3 Nephi 6:14
"And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning; yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches.
"Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceedingly humble; some did return railing for railing, while others would receive railing and persecution and all manner of afflictions, and would not turn and revile again, but were humble and penitent before God.
"And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth year the church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord.
"Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this—Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world."
4 Nephi 1:3
"And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another.
"And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift."
D&C 49:20
"For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance.
"But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.
"And wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need."
Here are some basic questions that have come to mind:
- What is equality / inequality? What is it not?
- In which different contexts can we apply this definition ( such as liberty, financial, religion, morality, etc.) and how is equality applied to each? What does it look like in each?
- Is inequality fortunate, unfortunate, or neither?
- Why does inequality exist?
- Assuming equality is a worthy goal, how would God have us work toward / create equality?
And after looking up all of these scriptures... I don't really feel like diving in for the answers and thought process of it all. So I'll just post what I have as a reference for some other time.
Mosiah 27:3 (26:38, 27:3-5)
"And now all these things did Alma and his fellow laborers do who were over the church, walking in all diligence, teaching the word of God in all things, suffering all manner of afflictions, being persecuted by all those who did not belong to the church of God."
...
"And there was a strict command throughout all the churches that there should be no persecutions among them, that there should be an equality among all men;
"That they should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their peace; that every man should esteem his neighbor as himself, laboring with their own hands for their support.
"Yea, and all their priests and teachers should labor with their own hands for their support, in all cases save it were in sickness, or in much want;"
2 Cor 8:13-14
"For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
"But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be an equality."
Supporting Quote to go find
Brigham Young's quote about sharing one's excesses so all may have an abundance in journal of discourses.
Mosiah 18:21,27-29
"And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.
...
"And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given.
"And thus they should impart of their substance of their own free will and good desires towards God, and to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul.
"And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did walk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants."
Mosiah 29:32
"And now I desire that this inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this my people; but I desire that this land be a land of liberty, and every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike. . ."
Alma 4:12, 15 (9-15, 19)
"And thus, in this eighth year of the reign of the judges, there began to be great contentions among the people of the church; yea, there were envyings, and strife, and malice, and persecutions, and pride, even to exceed the pride of those who did not belong to the church of God.
"And thus ended the eighth year of the reign of the judges; and the wickedness of the church was a great stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its progress.
"And it came to pass in the commencement of the ninth year, Alma saw the wickedness of the church, and he saw also that the example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the destruction of the people.
"Yea, he saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and afflicted.
"Now this was a great cause for lamentations among the people, while others were abasing themselves, succoring those who stood in need of their succor, such as imparting their substance to the poor and the needy, feeding the hungry, and suffering all manner of afflictions, for Christ’s sake, who should come according to the spirit of prophecy;
"Looking forward to that day, thus retaining a remission of their sins; being filled with great joy because of the resurrection of the dead, according to the will and power and deliverance of Jesus Christ from the bands of death.
"And now it came to pass that Alma, having seen the afflictions of the humble followers of God, and the persecutions which were heaped upon them by the remainder of his people, and seeing all their inequality, began to be very sorrowful; nevertheless the Spirit of the Lord did not fail him."
...
"And. . .he did. . .go forth among his people. . .that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them."
Alma 16:16 (15-16)
"And thus did Alma and Amulek go forth, and also many more who had been chosen for the work, to preach the word throughout all the land. And the establishment of the church became general throughout the land, in all the region round about, among all the people of the Nephites.
"And there was no inequality among them; the Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of his coming."
Alma 28:13 (10-14)
"And from the first year to the fifteenth has brought to pass the destruction of many thousand lives; yea, it has brought to pass an awful scene of bloodshed.
"And the bodies of many thousands are laid low in the earth, while the bodies of many thousands are moldering in heaps upon the face of the earth; yea, and many thousands are mourning for the loss of their kindred, because they have reason to fear, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are consigned to a state of endless wo.
"While many thousands of others truly mourn for the loss of their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending happiness.
"And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men.
"And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing—sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life."
Alma 30: 7, 11
"Now there was no law against a man's belief; for it was strictly contrary to the commands of God that there should be a law which should bring men on to unequal grounds.
"For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day, whom ye will serve.
"Now if a man desired to serve God, it was his privilege; or rather, if he believed in God it was his privilege to serve Him; but if he did not believe in Him there was no law to punish him.
"But if he murdered he was punished unto death; and if he robbed he was also punished; and if he stole he was also punished; and if he committed adultery he was also punished; yea, for all this wickedness they were punished.
"For there was a law that men should be judged according to their crimes. Nevertheless, there was no law given against a man's belief; therefore, a man was punished only for the crimes which he had done; therefore all men were on equal grounds."
3 Nephi 6:14
"And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning; yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches.
"Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceedingly humble; some did return railing for railing, while others would receive railing and persecution and all manner of afflictions, and would not turn and revile again, but were humble and penitent before God.
"And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth year the church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord.
"Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this—Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world."
4 Nephi 1:3
"And it came to pass in the thirty and sixth year, the people were all converted unto the Lord, upon all the face of the land, both Nephites and Lamanites, and there were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with another.
"And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift."
D&C 49:20
"For, behold, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which cometh of the earth, is ordained for the use of man for food and for raiment, and that he might have in abundance.
"But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.
"And wo be unto man that sheddeth blood or that wasteth flesh and hath no need."
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Exploring Peaceful Prosperity 1
I suspect this will be the first of multiple posts on the topic, but who knows, maybe not. At any rate, I'm labelling it as post 1 in case it is.
The following is about my 4th rough draft of an introductory document for my team. It will probably undergo further revisions, though I doubt I'll update it here.
====
Note: peaceful-prosperity.com is not up yet, and it may be a bit before it is. :)
Inspiring People to Connect Daily with God
Some may feel put off with such a blatant connection between business and religious content. If I may, I would like to explain this relationship, first, by what it is not.
I do not see this as a business venture that I am infusing with a spiritual aspect. So what is my intent? What do I see? Well, to me, Peaceful Prosperity is fundamentally a spiritual movement which, as part of its mission, contains a financial/business component.
It is my belief that any individual will be inhibited in developing the qualities and characteristics of Peaceful Prosperity without a belief in a Higher Power. As such, this movement must include inspiring and fostering one's own relationship with Diety. Whatever your belief system, I encourage you to find and study daily a work that you consider Divinely inspired, e.g. The Bible, The Qur'an, The Book of Mormon, Vedas, etc. and practice its principles.
As will be seen, I reference verses of scripture without reservation not as an endorsement of a any religious movement, but for the principles they contain. To quote a friend of mine, Leslie Householder, "the interpretation and application of scriptures and ideas here are my own and do not necessarily represent the beliefs or doctrine of any particular denomination." In short, this is not about religion at all, it simply includes one's own relationship with Diety.
I recognize that this will yet put some people off. While that is not my aim, it is okay. We are all different and I respect that, and hopefully with this, my intent is clear... albeit rather wordy. :)
I will write more later on other points, but that's all I wish to write at the moment.
The following is about my 4th rough draft of an introductory document for my team. It will probably undergo further revisions, though I doubt I'll update it here.
====
I welcome you to Strongbrook family and the Peaceful Prosperity movement! We are united in a great cause!
What is Peaceful Prosperity?
Peaceful prosperity is a vision and a movement. As is suggested in the name, there are two parts: peace and prosperity.
Peace
Included in this packet is the book The Anatomy of Peace. I have purchased this book as a gift for you because of the message it contains. When I read this book for the first time, it resonated deeply with me and I knew it would be a part of my life going forward. The only literature I hold in higher esteem than this book is Holy Writ.
This book opens my eyes to how I see others and gives me a language to communicate that vision. While an easy read, I hope this book will expand your vision and understanding of yourself and those around you.
Prosperity
Books, books, and more books have been written about financial wealth and prosperity, but in the end, money is simply a tool; real prosperity is not about the quantity of stuff you have but about the quality of your life.
True prosperity is obtained independent of financial wealth through living positive ideals such as gratitude, charity, and kindness. Without such ideals, financial wealth will be a tool with which you destroy yourself and damage others. With sound and positive ideals, that same financial wealth becomes a tool for achieving eternal happiness as you enrich the lives of others.
Peaceful Prosperity
Peaceful prosperity implies using wealth to liberate without oppressing, to enable without debilitating, and to honor the humanity and sovereignty of others as opposed to making others the objects of our own self-righteous charity. The mission of the Peaceful Prosperity movement is to become and develop fabulously wealthy people who see others as people.
Peaceful Prosperity stands on three pillars: spiritual, mental, and financial health. We encourage the individual development of these through:
1) Spending time daily to connect with our Higher Power through Holy Writ.
2) Continual personal development via study, mentorship, training, and experience.
3) Providing clear opportunities, systems, and leadership to create significant residual income.
This is the prosperity we are seeking; this is Peaceful Prosperity. As a member of the Peaceful Prosperity team, we hope you will lead by example, seeking to embody these principles while leading others to do the same!
For more information, visit peaceful-prosperity.com
====Note: peaceful-prosperity.com is not up yet, and it may be a bit before it is. :)
Inspiring People to Connect Daily with God
Some may feel put off with such a blatant connection between business and religious content. If I may, I would like to explain this relationship, first, by what it is not.
I do not see this as a business venture that I am infusing with a spiritual aspect. So what is my intent? What do I see? Well, to me, Peaceful Prosperity is fundamentally a spiritual movement which, as part of its mission, contains a financial/business component.
It is my belief that any individual will be inhibited in developing the qualities and characteristics of Peaceful Prosperity without a belief in a Higher Power. As such, this movement must include inspiring and fostering one's own relationship with Diety. Whatever your belief system, I encourage you to find and study daily a work that you consider Divinely inspired, e.g. The Bible, The Qur'an, The Book of Mormon, Vedas, etc. and practice its principles.
As will be seen, I reference verses of scripture without reservation not as an endorsement of a any religious movement, but for the principles they contain. To quote a friend of mine, Leslie Householder, "the interpretation and application of scriptures and ideas here are my own and do not necessarily represent the beliefs or doctrine of any particular denomination." In short, this is not about religion at all, it simply includes one's own relationship with Diety.
I recognize that this will yet put some people off. While that is not my aim, it is okay. We are all different and I respect that, and hopefully with this, my intent is clear... albeit rather wordy. :)
I will write more later on other points, but that's all I wish to write at the moment.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
What She Said
This is another instance of reading a post that outlined something so well, I feel no need to write anything to expound on it, but I want it to be part of my blog too.
So I'm just going to say: "What she said."
http://segullah.org/daily-special/god-of-stories-god-of-laws/
So I'm just going to say: "What she said."
http://segullah.org/daily-special/god-of-stories-god-of-laws/
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Peaceful Prosperity
Satan uses a particular tool to incite war, conflict, and oppression: money.
He immediately goes to work using this tool from the very beginning of this Telestial sphere. Interestingly, warding off this attack has nothing to do with money, but everything to do with one's internal perspective about money.
Satan tries to make money feel scarce, like it needs to be fought for and hoarded. God invites us to be grateful, wise, and generous with our resources. Satan uses money to stir conflict among people; God uses money to allow us, His children, to experience peace as we see each other as His equally valued children.
Often when God prospers His people, they slip into Satan's agenda of proud and warring hearts. Yet, as they humble themselves, God will let them try again. I believe He wants us to learn the great peace, nobility, and abundance that can come with prosperity if we will simply choose Him.
Peaceful prosperity is the antithesis of Satan's agenda; it is the Utopian result of a God-like people (See 4 Nephi); it is the goal and vision of what we can obtain, both individually and as a society!
Thus we see that money is neither good nor bad, but can be used as a tool for either. If money were evil then good people could not be good in having it and every corner of the earth would be ruled with oppression, destruction, bloodshed, and horror.
Inasmuch as people are infused with peaceful prosperity, then love, kindness, gratitude, and abundance will abound. In other words, peaceful prosperity in individual hearts will generate outward peace and prosperity among a people.
I hope to inspire peaceful prosperity in the hearts of men, women, and children -- to foster a multi-generational tradition of opposing Satan because we prosper peacefully. This is the movement I stand for.
He immediately goes to work using this tool from the very beginning of this Telestial sphere. Interestingly, warding off this attack has nothing to do with money, but everything to do with one's internal perspective about money.
Satan tries to make money feel scarce, like it needs to be fought for and hoarded. God invites us to be grateful, wise, and generous with our resources. Satan uses money to stir conflict among people; God uses money to allow us, His children, to experience peace as we see each other as His equally valued children.
Often when God prospers His people, they slip into Satan's agenda of proud and warring hearts. Yet, as they humble themselves, God will let them try again. I believe He wants us to learn the great peace, nobility, and abundance that can come with prosperity if we will simply choose Him.
Peaceful prosperity is the antithesis of Satan's agenda; it is the Utopian result of a God-like people (See 4 Nephi); it is the goal and vision of what we can obtain, both individually and as a society!
Thus we see that money is neither good nor bad, but can be used as a tool for either. If money were evil then good people could not be good in having it and every corner of the earth would be ruled with oppression, destruction, bloodshed, and horror.
Inasmuch as people are infused with peaceful prosperity, then love, kindness, gratitude, and abundance will abound. In other words, peaceful prosperity in individual hearts will generate outward peace and prosperity among a people.
I hope to inspire peaceful prosperity in the hearts of men, women, and children -- to foster a multi-generational tradition of opposing Satan because we prosper peacefully. This is the movement I stand for.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Some Thoughts about Wealth
"I know that relative poverty and hard work are not greater adversities than affluence and abundant free time. I also know that strength is forged in adversity and that faith is developed in a setting where we cannot see ahead." --Elder Oaks
Thankfully, affluence does not free us of adversity! God's plan for His children can not be thwarted by so light a triviality.
There is also no sense of greater virtue in poverty, as though a lack of resources is somehow a more worthy state. It has been said that monetary wealth only magnifies or makes visible that which is already in one's heart.
The question is not about what we have, but about who we become.
This leads to another question, are we more able to become, to grow and develop, when we have financial resources than when we do not?
At least in my life environment, I'm inclined to believe we are. One who can afford a mentor will be provided greater such opportunities than one who can not.
From the cycle seen in the Book of Mormon, it seems that as people keep His commandments, they are prospered financially, and shortly thereafter, they often cease keeping His commandments. It's almost like He would say "Okay, you passed level 1, now let's try level 2," and more often than not, the people failed at level 2 and had to go back to level 1. (This is a harsh scale -- it is not intended to be literal.)
I find nobility in passing levels line upon line, precept upon precept. Financial wealth brings greater blessings and greater requirement. With more resources, there are more avenues available for both righteousness and sin!
I believe that God wants us to progress and prosper, and that he wants us to succeed at taking on new challenges and maintain a virtuous life with abundance.
Thus we see the significance of passing on the lessons we have learned to our children. Starting them at higher level of financial blessings without having the lessons requisite for living with it is putting them atop a platform void of foundation, and it's only a matter of time before they fall.
All of this is not to say that having a reversal of financial fortune is due to unrighteous living, certainly not. But living according to sound financial principles can be done righteously, and unrighteousness will eventually lead to a reversal of financial fortune.
The only way to maintain wealth generationally is to learn, live, and pass on the lessons of financial, spiritual, and familial peace and prosperity.
Thankfully, affluence does not free us of adversity! God's plan for His children can not be thwarted by so light a triviality.
There is also no sense of greater virtue in poverty, as though a lack of resources is somehow a more worthy state. It has been said that monetary wealth only magnifies or makes visible that which is already in one's heart.
The question is not about what we have, but about who we become.
This leads to another question, are we more able to become, to grow and develop, when we have financial resources than when we do not?
At least in my life environment, I'm inclined to believe we are. One who can afford a mentor will be provided greater such opportunities than one who can not.
From the cycle seen in the Book of Mormon, it seems that as people keep His commandments, they are prospered financially, and shortly thereafter, they often cease keeping His commandments. It's almost like He would say "Okay, you passed level 1, now let's try level 2," and more often than not, the people failed at level 2 and had to go back to level 1. (This is a harsh scale -- it is not intended to be literal.)
I find nobility in passing levels line upon line, precept upon precept. Financial wealth brings greater blessings and greater requirement. With more resources, there are more avenues available for both righteousness and sin!
I believe that God wants us to progress and prosper, and that he wants us to succeed at taking on new challenges and maintain a virtuous life with abundance.
Thus we see the significance of passing on the lessons we have learned to our children. Starting them at higher level of financial blessings without having the lessons requisite for living with it is putting them atop a platform void of foundation, and it's only a matter of time before they fall.
All of this is not to say that having a reversal of financial fortune is due to unrighteous living, certainly not. But living according to sound financial principles can be done righteously, and unrighteousness will eventually lead to a reversal of financial fortune.
The only way to maintain wealth generationally is to learn, live, and pass on the lessons of financial, spiritual, and familial peace and prosperity.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Agents unto Ourselves
While I was looking up in the scriptures about agents, I found an interesting concept in some of the verses.
And it is given unto them to know good from evil; wherefore they are agents unto themselves, and I have given unto you another law and commandment.
(Moses 6:56 - emphasis added)
Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal; neither any man, nor the children of men; neither Adam, your father, whom I created.
Behold, I gave unto him that he should be an agent unto himself; and I gave unto him commandment, but no temporal commandment gave I unto him, for my commandments are spiritual; they are not natural nor temporal, neither carnal nor sensual.
(D&C 29:34-35 - emphasis added)
For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
(D&C 58:26-28 - emphasis added)
For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves.
(D&C 104:17 - emphasis added)
What is this about being agents unto ourselves? At first it seems simply that we have been given agency to make choices, and this is true enough, but perhaps that's incomplete. It's not just that we have choices, but to me there seems to be a sense that we have a work to do and, inasmuch as we do it, we will be blessed.
What that work is is for us to discover and pursue as agents unto ourselves, always within the guidelines and commandments of God. What our work is (within His commandments) may in fact be less important to Him than how we engage in it! Thus, we are free to choose, in all righteousness, that which we most enjoy, that which pleases us the most and provides us the most meaning! How great is that?!
Does that sound like being an agent unto oneself? To me it does. Being an agent unto oneself is to act in one's self interest, and the highest, most Godly form of that is to live in a self-servingly altruistic manner. This is how God lives, for His work and His glory is the supremely altruistic act of our immortality and eternal life, and yet our immortality and eternal life all contribute to His glory! Self-serving altruism is living in a way where you gain great meaning, enjoyment, and yes, even financial compensation as you bring to pass much righteousness.
But financial compensation? If we accept financial compensation now, then when we are judged, will we not be told we have already received our reward? (Matthew 6) I would respond similar to Alma and ask "Do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God save it be in your synagogues only?" (Alma 32:10) Or said another way do ye suppose that ye can do no noble, virtuous, or altruistic thing if it be compensated with money? Or yet another way, do ye suppose that providing for your family can only be brought to pass by ignominious means?
Altruism has been defined as "unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others." This feels very noble, but it can also include the insidious. How so? By being blind to one's true concern and devotion. Mistaking the measure of one's sacrifice as the measure of one's service is not at all service, but selfishness and the seeking of one's own vain glory. It leads not to a heart of satisfaction but to a heart of resentment. It is a counterfeit altruism that creates a martyr or victim of its agent. Altruism in its truest form is unavoidably self-serving as well; it can not help but lift up the heart of the man that acts in it.
It is worth noting that asking for financial compensation for a good or service can, in and of itself, be altruistic. In the words of Thomas Paine, "what we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly." Requiring a financial sacrifice for a good or service can serve to bless the buyer. After all, even "heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods." (The American Crisis)
I am not here arguing that any and all services should be financially compensated. Heavens no! It is crucial for each of us to engage in service without any expectation of recompense, financial or otherwise! But we simply can not avoid recompense if we are acting out of true altruism. It is a divine principle that righteous action brings reward. (Mosiah 2:24)
And now, I have gone on a bit of a tangent. So coming back to the original question, what does it mean to be agents unto ourselves? While it indeed means that we are able to choose that which we think will be best for us, it is more. To magnify being agents unto ourselves suggests that we be obedient to God and engage diligently in causes or works that are meaningful to us! Some of these may provide financial compensation while others may not, but as we seek His glory through our own joy and fulfillment, we will be successful agents unto ourselves.
* It is also important that we allow others to serve us. It is important for the giver and the recipient, and I do not mean to diminish that in my comments, but to mention it inline above would have only distracted from the point at hand.
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