The Six Ghosts of Fear

According to Napoleon Hill, author of the 1937 personal-finance classic "Think and Grow Rich," there are six basic fears in life, and every human being suffers from them at some point.

These fears, Hill writes, are the psychological reasons keeping some people from ever becoming rich.

Hill maintains that "fears are nothing more than states of mind," and that "one's state of mind is subject to control and direction."

In other words, you can avoid them. But, as Hill writes, "Before we can master an enemy, we must know its name, its habits, and its place of abode."

As you can probably tell already, Hill's language — and some of his ideas — come across as a little dated, but Hill was clearly clued in to the idea that success might not be just about how much money you earn, but also how you choose to think.

The fears are:

1. The fear of poverty

According to Hill, the fear of poverty is both the most destructive and the hardest to master of the six fears. This is because of what Hill refers to as "money madness."

People "prey" on one another financially to attain the most money. The author points out "a man is considered less than the dust of the earth, unless he can display a fat bank account." He continues: "Nothing brings man so much suffering and humility as poverty!"

To conquer this fear, Hill says, you must create a desire for riches and completely banish the option of poverty. You must be unwilling to accept poverty.

2. The fear of criticism

Hill says the roots of this fear can be traced back to the times when people used to be burned at the stake if they expressed beliefs that were contrary to common beliefs held at the time. He writes that criticism often becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy that can hold people back from being successful — and rich.

According to the author, criticism does nothing but instill fear and resentment in people, and parents, relatives, and employers should not use it: "Employers who understand human nature, get the best there is in men, not by criticism, but by constructive suggestion."

3. The fear of ill health

People fear sickness because they know it could, in an extreme case, lead to death. Hill says people also fear sickness because of the "economic toll" a sickness can take on the person it affects. For example, a severe illness could eliminate your ability to work, which would also eliminate your livelihood. 

The author cites hypochondria and says that people are often the creators of their own illness. The more people think they are sick or are told they are sick, the more likely they are to actually become sick, which then negatively affects their ability to reach their wealth goals. 

4. The fear of loss of love

According to Hill, this fear comes from "man's polygamous habit of stealing his fellow man's mate." He says it's the most painful of the six fears and that it "probably plays more havoc with the body and mind than any of the other basic fears, as it often leads to permanent insanity." The author says this fear makes people less likely to trust others and more likely to gamble, which can result in spending more than you have and incurring debt.

5. The fear of old age

Hill says that behind people's fear of old age is their fear of the possibility of poverty. "'Poorhouse' is not a pretty word," Hill writes. "It throws a chill into the mind of every person who faces the possibility of having to spend his declining years on a poor farm."

The author points out that old age threatens not only a person's economic freedom and independence, but also their physical freedom and independence. 

6. The fear of death

The fear of death comes from the fear of the unknown, Hill says. No one truly knows what comes after death, which is why it scares people. Hill says the fear of death leads to a "lack of purpose" and "lack of a suitable occupation." Without an occupation, it's hard to become rich.

The author maintains that for some people, this is the cruelest fear. At the same time, he thinks the fear is useless. "Death will come, no matter what anyone may think about it," Hill writes. "Accept it as a necessity, and pass the thought out of your mind. It must be a necessity, or it would not come at all."

Copyright with thanks

http://uk.businessinsider.com/life-fears-that-keep-you-poor-2015-4?r=US&IR=T

https://app.getresponse.com/site/crazidreams_782986/webform.html?wid=12205803&u=BSuYO&mg_param3=4

Being Inspired From Within

Most of us spend our lives searching for that one spark that will ignite and motivate, then propel us to succeed. We buy any number of books, inspirational “self help” tapes, and attend seminars and workshops believing that somewhere in the mist of all these activities will evolve that magical motivation tool we can use to reach higher heights. Little did we know that what we search for was within us all the time.

There is no greater weapon that can be used against defeat than developing and strengthening your positive attitude of “claiming” victory over all things then walking it out, in faith, as if you have already won. When you view any negative circumstance as an area you cannot overcome, it will be just that. The result is limiting your “vision” and owning the defeat. If, however, you view the negative circumstance as an opportunity to be applied to the overall vision for your future, you will pause to learn from and build on the experience, then move on to the next level.

Life is a combination of choices, with each taking us to various levels of growth and development. Each choice opens and or closes doors. Each will promote or inhibit our definition of success. There are no secret formulas. We must each seek inspiration from within and recognize that no two people come to the same point in the same way. I arrived at this level of awareness as a result of my struggles to become successful in my own business.

I have always had a desire to succeed at whatever I chose to do, but discovered that most often it was because of the level of expectation others had of me more than what inspired me. My career afforded many opportunities to excel, but somehow I always managed to curb my ambitions, derail my opportunities or lose interest at pivotal points along the way. I soon discovered that I was unwilling to trade what was most important to me by conforming or bending to make the fit. This choice usually left me faced with uncomfortable decisions that eventually led to change in positions.

It did not take me long to realize that in those years of executive and senior management experiences, I had not tapped the source of my strength and the essence of my being. I had “made it” only to find that I didn’t know what making it meant. Because I had not tapped into my inner spirit, which is the oil to my creative motor, I had not discovered the key that would unlock the door to what inspired me. God created us to be unique unto ourselves, because He has a plan and a purpose for us. It is up to us, however, to find the “Tick to match the Tock” in our lives. No doubt the search will require hard work, but who better skilled than us individually to perform that inner search?

Inspiration occurs when we come to the end of ourselves and begin to seek a deeper meaning about the choices we make. It is when our careers become more than money and creature comfort, and our way of living becomes more than the status of how we are being defined by others that we begin to journey toward being inspired from within.

Sometimes our greatest works are realized during our toughest trials. That is because it is at those times we are most alone, with few people who will care about our circumstances. It is at those times when we are left to ourselves and we can begin to look within for inspiration and guidance. Economic challenges, health issues, death, divorce, or depression all have their place in our growth and maturity. These challenges also provide a catalyst for renewal and empowerment. The core of our being and the answer to what we are truly called to be can be found through our releasing and opening our minds and our hearts to the call from within.

God has put something inside each of us that no one else can reach but us. Once you tap into it, you will receive clarity and understanding and be inspired to function at a level you have never known, while accomplishing and creating success that will make people eager to be around you to learn how to effectively operate and succeed. Achieving this inner inspiration will require several things on your part:

• Strong Commitment to Self Actualization
• Independent Thinking
• Establishing Priorities
• Unquestioned Faith
• A Renewing of Your Mind
• Confidence in Prayer
• Obedience to the Word of God

By tapping into the inspiration within, you will be led to discovering the core of your calling. Remember, this is a process and you should complete each step. The requirements have been established, and there are conditions for God blessing you with the knowledge of the inspiration from within. Those conditions are innate to who we are and are provided for us in His word (hearing the word, reading the word, and being doers of the word in faith.). These simple conditions set the tone for your internal man to receive instructions and inspired guidance.

Copyright with thanks to Theresa V. Wilson, M.Ed

http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Wilson11.html

The Power Of Imagination

Imagination is the ability to form a mental image of something that is not perceived through the five senses. It is the ability of the mind to build mental scenes, objects or events that do not exist, are not present, or have happened in the past.

Everyone possesses a certain degree of imagination ability. The imagination manifests in various degrees in various people. In some, it is highly developed, and in others, it manifests in a weaker form.

Imagination makes it possible to experience a whole world inside the mind. It gives the ability to look at any situation from a different point of view, and to mentally explore the past and the future.

This ability manifests in various forms, one of which is daydreaming. Though too much idle daydreaming may make one impractical, a certain degree daydreaming, while not being engaged in something that requires attention, provides temporary happiness, calmness and relief from stress.

In your imagination, you can travel anywhere in the speed of light, without any obstacles. It can make you feel free, though temporarily, and only in the mind, from tasks, difficulties and unpleasant circumstances.

Imagination is not limited only to seeing pictures in the mind. It includes all the five senses and the feelings. One can imagine a sound, taste, smell, a physical sensation or a feeling or emotion. For some people it is easier to see mental pictures, others find it easier to imagine a feeling, and some are more comfortable imagining the sensation of one of the five senses. Training of the imagination gives the ability to combine all the senses.

A developed and strong imagination does not make you a daydreamer and impractical. On the contrary, it strengthens your creative abilities, and is a great tool for recreating and remodeling your world and life.

This is a wonderful power that can change your whole life. It is used extensively in magic, creative visualization and affirmations. It is the creator of circumstances and events. When you know how to work with it, you can make your hearts' desires come true.

Imagination has a great role and value in each one's life. It is much more than just idle daydreaming. We all use it, whether consciously or unconsciously, in most of our daily affairs. We use our imagination whenever we plan a party, a trip, our work or a meeting. We use it when we describe an event, explain how to arrive to a certain street, write, tell a story or cook a cake.

Imagination is a creative power that is necessary for inventing an instrument, designing a dress or a house, painting a picture or writing a book. The creative power of imagination has an important role in the achievement of success in any field. What we imagine with faith and feelings comes into being. It is the important ingredient of creative visualization, positive thinking and affirmations.

Visualizing an object or a situation, and repeating often this mental image, attracts the object or situation we visualize into our lives. This opens for us new, vast and fascinating opportunities.

This means that we should think only in a positive manner about our desires, otherwise, we might attract into our lives events, situations and people that we don't really want. This is actually what most of us do, because we don't use the power of imagination correctly.

If you do not recognize the importance of the power of the imagination, and let it run riot, your life may not be as happy and successful as you would have wanted it to be.

To read the full article go to

http://www.successconsciousness.com/index_000007.htm

The Sixth Sense

The sixth sense is an intangible sensory tool which serves as our internal navigator, KNOWS
and reveals the path for enabling and allowing our heartfelt desires to take tangible and
measurable form, yet often becomes silenced by enabling the 5 physical senses to dictate
and determine in our own minds what is real and true in life.

Reality is an illusion albeit a very persistent one." - Albert Einstein

What can you say about the sixth sense other than the fact that an Enhanced and Keen Intuitive Awareness bridges the gap between Reality and Actuality in a far more pleasing and desirable kind of way than most can conceive or imagine.

If that makes no sense to you, what follows could certainly prove beneficial in the physical, financial, relational, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of YOUR life in far greater ways than YOU can conceive or imagine.

We're all quite aware of the predominantly utilized 5 physical senses that enable us to see, smell, touch, taste and hear. It goes without saying that we utilize these tools constantly to determine and discern what's going on in our immediate environment.

We're ALL quite well versed in utilizing these 5 physical senses to interpret our surroundings and make determinations as to how we respond and react to the various events, conditions and circumstances that the 5 senses enable us to observe and interpret.

You could say that doing so is automatic...effortless in fact. It requires no special skills or training to utilize these awesome tools given us at birth.

The reason that's true is because their function is determined by subconscious processes that we have no conscious awareness of of. Put simply it doesn't require thinking about or trying to utilize these senses.

It's automatic. We look and we see. We listen and we hear. We touch and we feel. You get the idea. There is no effort involved.

What many DON'T understand regarding our 5 senses is the fact that what we interpret through their use, as well as the decisions and life choices we make based on those interpretations are based on our own unique perspectives of the world.

What does THAT mean exactly?

Put in very simple terms, our interpretations of reality (the physical realm) is impacted by the unique beliefs and perceptions we've acquired, adopted, adhere to and utilize to make our life choices as we go through life.

Those same beliefs and perceptions determine not only what we see but how we perceive what we see.

If you're at all familiar with the science of Quantum Physics, you already understand that the physical senses interpretation of external data varies from person to person.

And the reason why is due to the fact that the tangible and measurable aspects of reality aren't as real as the 5 physical senses would lead us to believe that they are. They "seem real" without a doubt. We can hear them, see them, touch them, taste them, smell them and hear them.

And because we can, we believe they're real.

But are they REALLY?

The answer is NO. They're NOT as real as MOST think and believe.

Case in point...

21st century science has clearly proven and documented the fact that reality is in fact an illusion as world renown scientist Albert Einstein discovered many years ago. Many scientists since agree and have built upon and further developed an ever expansive understanding of how and why that's true based on Einsteins initial discovery.

So although it may "seem" and/or sound as if such claims are based on theory or speculation, they're NOT. They are based on sound scientific fact stemming from many years of very exciting and what can prove to be beneficial discoveries as it pertains to you and the quality of your life.

Since our focus is on the sixth sense, we won't get into the complex and often times mind bending scientific aspects of what reality "truly is" other than to say that what we perceive and believe as being real, solid and having physical mass, in it's purest and most basic form is comprised of nothing more than energy packets.

What does science and energy packets have to do with sixth sense sensory?

EVERYTHING!!

These energy packets consist of various vibratory patterns and frequencies giving the tangible and measurable things around us, including the events, conditions and circumstances that we all encounter and experience in life, the "appearance of solidity."

In other words, what we see, hear, taste, touch and smell isn't as "real and solid" as so many "think and believe" it is.

In addition, the energy that comprises ALL physical things is infused with consciousness.

For the sake of simplicity let's refer to this "consciousness" as the Super Conscious Mind.

Within the Super Conscious Mind or as it is sometimes referred to, Universal Consciousness, all probabilities already exist. They exist as "waves of probability" as modern day science labels them.

That's where we come in. Our individual consciousness is an integral part of Universal Consciousness. That's what enables us to sense through our sixth sense sensory, events, conditions, circumstances etc. that have not yet taken tangible and measurable form.

Our individual consciousness being an integral part of Universal Consciousness enables us to sense things that are still nothing more than waves of probability prior to them becoming particles that comprise matter which transmutes and reveals itself in the physical world as the events, conditions and circumstances that we experience.

There is something that many are unaware of and oblivious to as it pertains to how we interpret this energy.

What is that?

In other words, what we believe and perceive as being real, right and true in life plays a major role in how our 5 physical senses observe and interpret the energy that surrounds us.

That's why we as individuals so often interpret the very same event, condition or circumstance in different ways. Our beliefs and perceptions vary to some degree from individual to individual and the 5 physical senses often interpret the energy (data) that surrounds us in such a way that aligns and harmonizes with what they themselves believe and perceive as being real or not real and determine to be true or untrue.

The point?

Since the 5 physical senses often interpret the energy (data) that surrounds us in a unique way based on our individual beliefs and perceptions, these sensory tools aren't as accurate as so many "believe" they are.

In other words, the reality that we see and experience is an illusion, the quality of which is determined by what we've learned and "perceive" as being real, right and true.

And in a physical sense it IS real. But the form it takes and how we interpret that form becomes real, right and true for us individually based on those unique beliefs and perspectives that we hold.

You could say that the 5 physical senses are amazing and useful tools for interpreting the physical and finite world of shape and form.

But there's more to interpret than the physical and the finite. What the physical senses CANNOT observe or interpret is the realm from where ALL physical things are derived from.

They are however not capable of interpreting energy or data prior to taking form and revealing themselves as physical things which determine our unique experiences in life.

That's where the sixth sense comes in. It can. It does in fact. We can know things prior to them becoming real and tangible. And because we can, we can also use that Knowing to avoid "less than desirable" results that "could happen" as well know the best choices to make and direction to take to ensure that the best possible result becomes a part of our lives.

Put as simply as possible, EVERYTHING that reveals itself in the tangible world of shape and form is derived from actuality which is where the unseen aspects of energy converge to determine the kind and quality of the reality we experience.

Bottom line, the physical senses are used in reality but are unable to discern and interpret what's happening in the "unseen realm" which I often refer to as Actuality.

And that is where we CAN, if we choose learn how to utilize our Sixth Sense.

Not as widely utilized nor understood as the 5 senses for sure, yet at the same time, it is perhaps the most important of ALL senses for accurately interpreting not only what is taking place in the world around you, but serves as a far more accurate tool in not only interpreting external data but providing insight and direction that enables us to navigate and move through reality in a more pleasing and desirable kind of way.

More specifically, developing the sixth sense enhances our intuitive ability enabling us to to move toward our heartfelt desires in a more assured and efficient kind of way.

To read the complete article go to

http://www.abundance-and-happiness.com/the-sixth-sense.html

Coping With Stress

You may feel there’s nothing you can do about stress. The bills won’t stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day, and your work and family responsibilities will always be demanding. But you have more control over stress than you might think. Stress management is all about taking charge: of your lifestyle, thoughts, emotions, and the way you deal with problems. No matter how stressful your life seems, there are steps you can take to relieve the pressure and regain control.

What is stress management?

We all respond to stress differently so, there’s no “one size fits all” solution to managing stress. But if you feel like the stress in your life is out of control, it’s time to take action. Stress management can teach you healthier ways to cope with stress, help you reduce its harmful effects, and prevent stress from spiraling out of control again in the future.

No matter how powerless you may feel in the face of stress, you still have control over your lifestyle, thoughts, emotions, and the way you deal with problems. Stress management involves changing the stressful situation when you can, changing your reaction when you can’t, taking care of yourself, and making time for rest and relaxation. The first step is to recognize the true sources of stress in your life.

What are the sources of stress in your life?

It’s easy to identify sources of stress following a major life event such as changing jobs, moving home, or losing a loved one, but pinpointing the sources of everyday stress can be more complicated. It’s all too easy to overlook your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that contribute to your stress levels. Sure, you may know that you’re constantly worried about work deadlines, but maybe it’s your procrastination, rather than the actual job demands, that is causing the stress.

To identify your true sources of stress, look closely at your habits, attitude, and excuses:

• Do you explain away stress as temporary (“I just have a million things going on right now”) even though you can’t remember the last time you took a breather?
• Do you define stress as an integral part of your work or home life (“Things are always crazy around here”) or as a part of your personality (“I have a lot of nervous energy, that’s all”)?
• Do you blame your stress on other people or outside events, or view it as entirely normal and unexceptional?

Until you accept responsibility for the role you play in creating or maintaining it, your stress level will remain outside your control.

How do you currently cope with stress?

Think about the ways you currently manage and cope with stress in your life. Your stress journal can help you identify them. Are your coping strategies healthy or unhealthy, helpful or unproductive? Unfortunately, many people cope with stress in ways that compound the problem.

Unhealthy ways of coping with stress

These coping strategies may temporarily reduce stress, but they cause more damage in the long run:

Smoking Drinking too much Binging on junk or comfort food Zoning out for hours in front of the TV or computer Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities

Using pills or drugs to relax Sleeping too much Procrastinating Filling up every minute of the day to avoid facing problems Taking out your stress on others (lashing out, angry outbursts, physical violence)

Learning healthier ways to manage stress

If your methods of coping with stress aren’t contributing to your greater emotional and physical health, it’s time to find healthier ones. No single method works for everyone or in every situation, so experiment with different techniques and strategies. Focus on what makes you feel calm and in control.

• Get Moving    
• Engage Socially
• Avoid Unnecessary stress  
• Alter the Situation
• Adapt to the stressor    
• Accept the things you can't change
• Make time for fun and relaxation   
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle

To read the complete article go to

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm