Water, Love and Gratitude!

Enjoy this amazing movie.

A nice motivational break in your day

Please pass it along to those you think would appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Scott Stratten
Enjoy Life, Now.
www.ThankGoodnessItsMonday.com/video/

Bill's heartfelt advice about surviving tough times...

Is all the financial turmoil--not to mention the already-existing
political/election and terrorist/war stress--getting to you?

We're all connected to the financial system, and
though many people have become complacent
again after the bailouts, and because no huge institutions
have failed in the last couple of weeks, many experts
say the worst is yet to come.
So what can you do? Are we facing a depression
like the 1930s? How bad will it get?

The real question, though, is how can you prepare
yourself, financially and emotionally, for what might happen?

I'd like to offer my advice, for whatever it's worth.

First, though I think things could get very bad, the
world isn't going to come to an end. As things get
worse, some people WILL say that it's coming to
an end, but when and if you begin to hear that, it
will be a signal that things are about to get better.
Such comments invariably come when things have
gotten as bad as they're going to get.

Second, though it's tempting to do so, I would avoid
finger-pointing and trying to figure out who to blame.
Though there are some people who ARE to blame,
in other ways this debacle is a universal cultural event,
not something caused by mean and greedy people
in some smoke-filled back room.
For the entire lifetimes of most people reading this,
buying whatever you want, but before you have the
money, has been the accepted thing to do.
Everyone else seemed to be doing it, and the idea that
it might not be the smart thing to do (spend money
before you actually have it) just hasn't occurred to a lot
of people.

This has resulted in many people ending up in debt, which
means you spent tomorrow's money yesterday. When
tomorrow comes, you either have to live on less money,
or add MORE debt, which just forestalls the inevitable
payback.

To keep the game going, credit markets become more
and more leveraged. The bankers did just what they always
do, and what the public wanted them to do--they figured
out better and better ways to allow people, corporations,
and other institutions to buy things before they actually
had the money to pay for them. The criteria for who
actually had the ability to repay became less and less
realistic.

Anyone in the financial industry who didn't provide
this sort of easy credit to people was at a disadvantage,
so the game continued until people who had no money
were buying houses they couldn't afford to pay for. No
one, though, can live on credit forever, and the chickens
are now coming home to roost.

I don't have a crystal ball, but I think we're facing a massive
and fundamental change in the way money works in this
society, and it's going to involve a period of tough times.
So, what can you do?

First, I would suggest focusing on what you can do
to improve your own situation, rather than finding
someone to blame, as tempting as it might be. People
who feel helpless blame others. Don't be helpless. If
you focus on what you can do, you'll save yourself a lot
of frustration and aggravation. If you like to feel angry
and frustrated, then by all means blame everyone in sight.

Next, realize that as things become more uncertain--
financially, politically, and in other ways--people will
begin to feel helpless. They will feel more isolated and
separate.
When this happens it's easier to become more self-
involved. Instead of thinking only of yourself, become
more aware of other people and their needs. Yes,
look for your own opportunities, and then help other
people see their opportunities--the positives in their
own lives. Become a source of inspiration to others.

Crises feed on fear. Help others to look for the seed
of an equivalent or greater benefit that exists even in
the worst situations. If you do this, others will look to
you for leadership, and your own fortunes will improve
in ways you can't even imagine.

In terms of your finances, search for solutions for your
customers or your employer. See the other person's
point of view and figure out a way to solve the problems
they face. If you do this, your business will thrive while
others are failing. If you are an employee, you'll have a
job when others are being laid off.

My next suggestion is to let go of your attachments to
things. Instead, emphasize the value of your relationships.
Material things are nice, but life is really about love and
friendship. If you have these things, and cultivate them, your
life will be more meaningful, no matter what the economic
conditions.

From a business perspective, focusing on your relationships
will strengthen your ability to survive no matter how bad
things get.
Sincerely think of the other person and his or her needs.
In good times it's easy to succeed and even the worst-run
business can at least make some money. In tough times,
those who really care about their customers or their
employer, and do their best to discover and meet their
needs, succeed while others are failing.

If you've lost money, or customers, or a job, instead of
focusing on what you've lost, focus on potential opportunities
and what you can do now. Leave the past in the past, whatever
it was, and look to what's next. And, be willing to be flexible
enough to change, to do something different.

Who knows? Perhaps your losses are the doorway to
some amazing new endeavor or adventure that will change
your life for the better--and which might never have happened
if those losses you've experienced hadn't happened.
Forget about who you were and begin to dream about
who you can be.

I'd also encourage you to get rid of "what if?" thinking.
Focus on what you want, and what you can do to get it.
There's no value or benefit in worrying about the future.
Yes, think of the potential challenges, but only to help
you generate plans and solutions that you can take action
on now. If there's something you can't do anything about,
surrender to it, and then move on.

When something dreadful happens--and it might--move
immediately to, "Okay, that has happened. What are my
options? What can I do now?" Focusing on what has gone
wrong has no value. Focusing on what to do next has great
value.

You say you don't have the tools, resources, or help you
need to move ahead? Resolve to do the best with whatever
is available. Take action anyway. This will give you confidence,
and this additional confidence will allow you to find and utilize
additional resources--even when it initially seems like there are
none.

Spend time every day--before falling asleep and when you
first wake up is an excellent time--thinking about what you
have to be grateful for. Gratitude can make you happy, and
happy people seem to attract what they need.

Look for ways to help others, especially those who don't
seem to be able to help themselves. Do it without expecting
anything in return. Do it just because we're all in this together.
Go the extra mile for your friends, your customers, your
employer, and even for total strangers. People so want
someone to really care about them. If you do this, you'll
never be alone--and your life will be fulfilling no matter
what is happening.

Finally, use your Holosync every day. If you've stopped,
start again. Holosync is one of the most powerful antidotes
for stress I've ever seen. My years of Holosync use seem
to have made me almost completely immune to stress, and it
can do the same for you. Those who can more easily handle
stressful times move through them more easily, and end up
finding the hidden opportunities in them and germinating
them into successes.

I also invite you to read my blog, at www.centerpointe.com/blog,
and to take advantage of our support staff by calling 503-672-7117
or emailing support@centerpointe.com. I want to know how
I--and my staff--can help.

And thanks for being a part of Centerpointe. I appreciate it
more than I could ever say. And though we may have never
met face to face, I do care about you and what happens to you.

Be well.

Bill

Zeitgeist the movie

This movie will open your eyes to the way the world works.