7-Point Plan To Make Money Your Friend: #6

by Clyo Beck

6) ”PRIME THE PUMP” BY GIVING

Giving Feels Good

When you give to others and feel good about it, your happy feelings – the ones associated with being rich enough to give to others – will then automatically work to bring you more of what you gave.

This is a principle with which the truly wealthy are aligned, yet without even thinking about it. It is habit for them to feel wealthy. So joyful giving does not make them feel less, but more wealthy.

THE PRINCIPLE OF LACK APPLIED

Most of us, however, tell ourselves that we do not have enough to give. Then, out of guilt, we may promise God that we will begin to give to the needy once we have more money for ourselves.

Yet, what are we affirming through such an approach? We are affirming that we will never have enough to give. And what will such feelings of guilt attract? More reasons to feel guilty.

Also, consider this: doesn’t always waiting to have more before giving anything demonstrate a lack of faith?

DO NOT GO INTO DEBT TO GIVE

Suze Orman insists that you never go into debt to give to others, especially when it comes to big Christmas presents that are purchased on credit and cannot be paid off, and she’s right.

However, even people who are financial limited can often find five dollars a month to give to those who are less fortunate.

So, if at all possible, see if you can donate five or ten dollars a month to a charity like Modest Needs, or lend it out in microcredit through Kiva.Org, or give it to another charity of your choice.

Just make sure that you believe in the work that the charity is doing. Make sure you feel really good about where your money is going. Then give to that charity as an act of faith to “prime the pump” of your own wealth.

ALLOW YOURSELF TO FEEL GOOD

Even if you give only a dollar a month, allow yourself to feel really good about that dollar. Do not dismiss it as “not enough” or judge yourself in any way because you are not giving more.

Instead, visualize the charity helping people and making a real difference thanks to you and people like you.

Visualize the recipients smiling at you and thanking you.

Allow yourself to imagine their love and gratitude for you.

Bathe yourself in good feelings about what you are able to give right now because this is a baby step toward having more and giving more.

Remember: we are all one, and as you do to the lowliest, you do to Him. So when you give with great love to those who are desperate and you feel gratitude for your ability to give to them, then you give that love and gratitude to Him, and to yourself.

DO NOT GIVE WHEN FEELING FEAR

If you cannot take this type of action without feeling fear, resentment, or obligation, then do not do it. Likewise, should you find yourself expecting a “pay back” from God for giving, then don’t give until you find a way to change your feelings.

You want giving to make you feel a bit richer because you realize that you have enough to help someone else.

Feel that and, even on a small scale, you will feel the joyful feelings of the philanthropist, the person who really wants to make things better for others and does. When you are able to give from that place, then it’s absolutely the right thing to do, and will help you move out of any financial rut.

Perhaps I do not need to add this, but if you have credit card debt and are still tithing ten percent of your income as an obligation to your church or to a charity, please stop. What you are doing will hurt you, financially.

Instead, tithe one percent and apply the other nine percent to paying off your debt as fast as possible. Once your credit card debt is paid off, you can go back to tithing the full amount, so long as it brings you joy to do so.

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR FEELINGS

Bottom line, pay attention to your feelings. Do not judge yourself in any way should you be unable to give money joyfully. If the idea of giving money hurts or feels like you will be placing yourself in financial jeopardy, then please do not do it. In changing our lives from lack to abundance, we must crawl before we walk, and walk before we can run.

See , instead, if you can give of yourself in some other way that feels empowering. Get in touch with your own beauty and joy, and radiate that. Offer more smiles. Treat others with greater gentleness. Beautify a street for everyone by going for a walk with a plastic bag and picking up litter until the bag is full. Or plant flowers where others can see them.

You do not need to give money to give to the world. Love comes in many forms. Simply find a way to make something better or make someone feel better.

Just make sure that whatever you do, your actions feel empowering and bring you joy as well. That’s the secret of bringing heaven to earth and wealth into your life.

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