Connection or Separation

Everything we say or do either creates connection or separation with the people and life around us. The more connection that we allow in our lives- the more happiness, security, and strength we experience.

I have found this not only to be true- but to be an excellent overall guide when making decisions. When considering whether to say or do something, I simply ask myself will doing/saying that create connection or separation with the person/people involved. If the answer is connection- I proceed. If it is separation- I either pass on it or find a way to do it that creates connection. It is when I do not consider this that I tend to create experiences that I regret.

It is also useful in evaluating and learning from past experiences. Did doing/saying that create connection or separation. Next time... I will do more of that, not do that, or approach it differently.

Best wishes connecting with those around you.

Connection or Separation

Everything we say or do either creates connection or separation with the people and life around us. The ego creates separation and the inner consciousness (or part of us that is connected with all things) always creates connection. The more connection that we allow in our lives, the more happiness, security, and strength we experience.

I have found this not only to be true- but to be an excellent overall guide when making decisions. When considering whether to say or do something, I simply ask myself will doing/saying that create connection or separation with the person/people involved. If the answer is connection- I proceed, if it is separation- I either pass on it or find a way to do it that creates connection. It is when I do not consider this that I tend to create experiences that I regret.

It is also useful in evaluating and learning from past experiences. Did doing/saying that create connection or separation. Next time... I will do more of that, not do that, or approach it differently.

Best wishes connecting with those around you.

Forcing things is fear-based

Forcing things rather that letting them unfold is fear-based. When I forced the issue with Sam saying I better hear back soon, it was due to the fear that I would not find a new job. I was hanging out there and vulnerable. It is not that different than the fear in a courtship, when I expose that I like her and you do not know whether she likes me in return yet. When I let things unfold, they can develop naturally. When I force things the are contrived and limited.

So what is the nature of my fear? Do I not trust that God, Spirit, the Universe will provide a new doorway? Maybe a little. But this is about not trusting myself. I have gone out on a limb business-wise a few times this past year and it did not lead to an abundant, profitable place. What if my new vision is another one of those. My fear says I better force it and make sure that I don't end up there again.

So why did my recent venture not lead to fruition. They were not things that I was truly passionate about and not things that I could be the best in the world at- to borrow from Good to Great by Jim Collins. So if I create something in harmony with those things, it ought to unfold, develop, and prosper. So I will let things unfold, even though it is scary.

Benjamin bailed- It's OK to be different

I just saw the Benjamin Button flick. Great film, awesome acting. So... what do people think about Benjamin's choice to leave when his daughter is one? I think he should have stayed and trusted it would work out. I am sick of people, characters, movies playing it safe, doing the martyr thing and then saying they did it for the kid's best interest. Gimme a break. Why are people so afraid of stepping out of the box? He would have been a great dad. What about the effect of Cate Blanchett's character still being in love with Benjamin and not her husband. Do we honestly think that that does not effect the child- that the kid would not pick up on that. What are they modeling for their child- selflessness or self-denial? I think he just could not stand being happy and this gave him a way out. It's OK to be different Benjamin!

Swimming with the sharks

At a commercial real estate training in Seattle, my instructor informed the class about the new high-rise deal that Donald Trump is doing is Chicago. She explained that he purposely is building it on an angle to block the view of all the other buildings around it so that he would have the only building with a view of the water. People had to deal with him if they wanted a view. This impacted me. I could see that it was smart and strategic. But I am also realizing that he definitely plays with a different set of rules then I do. I am not saying one set of rules is ethically superior to the other, but they are different. I am realizing these big moguls play hard ball and are sharks. As I start to invest in commercial real estate, it is good I realize how aggressive some people are. I likely would have approached it as let's figure out how we can all see the water. I feel naive. What can a say I am a social worker in the world of investment. No wonder our financial world is in crisis. I just saw a rerun of the movie Pretty Woman and it reminded me of how Richard Gere's character changed from a shark to building a project together with the guy and helping him out-like I would naturally do. Can that be good business?

Ultimately, I am defining my set of ethics for commercial real estate investing and I will not be that aggressive. But it is definitely a good idea to know where the guy at the other side of the table is coming from.

But still it makes me sad. Part of me still says why can't we work together and all benefit. Naive yes, but there is still hope- not everyone is Donald Trump.

Bank, credit card accountabilty

I loved that Obama is trying to crack down on bank's fine print, bait & switch, and exploitation games with credit cards. Come on congress, let's pass it through. Yes, people need to held accountable with their credit card use, but the banks can be held accountable as well. I have felt that this has been predatory for a long time.

I played a game called Cash Flow the other night created by Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad, Poor Dad). It was fascinating. It is kind of like Monopoly- only designed to teach financial literacy. You play the game right off your game financial statement. You get a career and paycheck, buy doodads (like big screen TV's), get laid off, have kids, and make investments in real estate and stock. When your monthly cash flow from your investments is higher than your monthly expenses, you are financially independent or free from the "rat race." After several hours I was able to get out of the "rat race". I did this by buying and selling a 3 bedroom, 2 bath rental home and some stock- and then buying an apartment building that had a lot of cash flow. Now I just need to pull that off in real life! I have played about ten times now and I can sometimes notice how it has subtly changed my thinking toward being more financially independent.

You can buy the Cash Flow game at www.Rich Dad.com- it is an investment in itself- but well worth it if you play it. Or you can find Cash Flow groups in your area. We have a Cash Flow group that meets monthly in Yakima, Washington on the first Tuesday of the month at 8003 Tieton, Yakima, WA 98908 at 6:30pm. We are looking to add a second time on the third week of the month based on popular demand. Come out and play!