The Best Years of Your Life… Now!

The ultimate resolution for the new year…

Make more money? Lose weight? Achieve greater happiness?

How about taking back control over those things which you still have control over.

2009 is going to be a year unlike any we’ve ever experienced before. There are forces in play that even the experts have been unable to understand or predict. As I’ve mentioned before in earlier postings, the three words that are always a signal that nobody has a handle on what’s going on is when you read a report that has “worse than expected” attached to it.

If certain things which could affect you in the coming months are going to be “worse than expected” - common sense would urge you to look at your lifestyle and take back control over those aspects you actually have authority over…

Here’s where it gets interesting

When you do take back control - the effects of those things which you have no control over - will affect you less…

Your reaction to the unknown will be coming from a “place” inside you that is calmer, more “grounded” and better able to adjust to the next “surprise”. More often than not, you’ll be able to “see” potential problems and avoid them altogether.

It’s important to remember that when changes come they always bring with them new and different opportunities. You will be able to find and follow you passion within these new possibilities…

You just have to understand and exercise the full degree of your freedom of action within the new and changing world you’re going to be facing in the coming months.

Practice your most sacred freedom - your freedom to choose and make decisions - whenever the opportunity arises.

Remember: The greatest freedom you have is how you decide to react to whatever may show up next in your day-to-day life.

Make a New Year’s resolution to “temper” your reactions with consideration about your own best interests - rather than making an automatic “knee-jerk” reaction.

If you can shift 1% or 2% of your automatic reactions - back into your conscious “tempered” control - you will experience a dramatic, positive change in your life.

You’ll also have a greater sense that “things beyond your control” aren’t going to ruin your ability to manifest your dreams…

Happy New Year

-Bob Baran

When I was nineteen years old — I spent New Year’s Eve at home (my parents house) alone - they were at a party.

It was one of the most miserable experiences I ever had.

I told myself, “Next year it’s going to be very different”.

The next New Year’s Eve I was in a band (”Godfather”) playing in a 450 seat nightclub!

It was the most exciting New Year’s Eve I could have imagined at that point in my life.

The point is this:

Because I declared my intention to have a very different experience — I became aware of a different set of opportunities which took my life path in a very different direction than the year before.

I never could have imagined I would be playing in a band the following New Year’s Eve — when I was so miserable only the year before.

But a lot can happen in only 12 months.

Whatever your current situation is, you must allow yourself to believe it is possible to change it into something better…

Then put yourself into new situations which could create new possibilities.

I didn’t know any of the people in the band I ended up playing in a year later — when I spent that miserable New Year’s Eve by myself.

But I told myself next year was going to be different…

…And it was.

-Bob Baran

Did you have any significant accomplishments in 2008?

Let me define significant:

Encouraging and supporting someone to believe in their ability to live their dreams.

Maybe a friend - a family member - a loved one.

Sharing the “spark” of encouragement may be the most powerful and significant thing we are capable of doing in our lives.

When you encourage someone, a part of you takes the journey with that person.

Your energy is amplified by that individual and may be passed on in the form of encouragement to someone else.

And don’t overlook the old truism:  What goes around comes around.

The good energy you invest in others always comes back ten-fold!

Dedicate yourself to becoming a source of encouragement to those in your day-to-day life.

If someone you “touch” with your good energy uses that “spark” to take the next step in their life you will have accomplished something truly significant.

You will have changed someone’s life.

-Bob Baran

The other day, I bit into an apple.

What do you think my experience was? Was it negative? Did I run into a worm? Or was it positive? And why the heck am I writing about biting into an apple?

My experience was so intense that I could only eat a few bites.

This was one of those fancy apples you find at the health food store. Organic and expensive — it was the best apple I’ve ever bitten into. If fact, it was so flavorful that I was satisfied with only a few bites. This apple was dense, firm and the flavor! I’ll try to describe it.

When I bit into this apple my first impression was, “Wow, this is firm!” I could only get a small bite. Then the flavor filled my mouth. It started out tart, then became sweet, finally lingering with the most appley taste I’ve ever experienced.

So you could say that my experience was positive. Very Positive!

But here’s the catch — It was so good, I was overwhelmed. Yes, I was overwhelmed by an apple!

I thought, “I need to cut that up in thin slices so I can savor it.” But I didn’t.

Why not? You may ask…

Part of me was afraid that the next time it wouldn’t taste as good. Part of me was still satisfied with the small taste I’d had. And part of me didn’t believe I had had the experience that I just described to you. How could an apple be that good? If that’s what the serpent tempted Eve with, I’m not surprised she succumbed.

A couple of days went by. I keep looking at that apple in the bag in the fridge. I kept thinking, “I really should eat more of that apple.” Finally, this morning I broke down and I took another couple of bites.

What was my experience? Exactly the same!

As I sit here writing, the appley taste is still lingering in my mouth and I wonder why I waited so long.

What does this have to do with Intentional Prosperity™?

I’ve observed this overwhelm in a number of individuals and yes, even myself have experienced all of the overwhelm that I had with that apple, with a dream coming true.

Maybe something like this has happened to you before:

Part of you was afraid that the next time it wouldn’t be as good.
Part of you was still satisfied with the small taste you’d had.
And part of you didn’t believe you’d had or even deserved such a wonderful experience.
(Remember, the I’m not worthy belief that you subconsciously carry around.)

Why do we run away from something that is wonderful? Is it too good to be true? Is it better than you think you deserve or you expect?

The message I wanted to convey with this post about biting into an apple is that, it’s okay to have amazing experiences. Don’t be afraid of them and allow yourself to be open to something astonishing happening this holiday season. Don’t be afraid of your dreams coming true!

Merry Christmas!

Gwen

P.S. I’m going to go get some more of those apples before they run out and put them in everyone’s Christmas stocking.

I’ll find out the name of them. Email me if you want to know what to look for: gwen@intentionalprosperity.com

Have a safe, fun and extraordinary Holiday!

This weeks message is simple:

Make the most of the time you have with family and friends - and indulge yourself in all good things - especially love…

Merry Christmas From Bob and Gwen Baran