Thought for today:
The compulsion to debt is a symptom of a deeper problem: the need to be beholden to the other. Debtors accumulate guilt. Unconsciously, we seek distraction from ourselves.
We must squelch the illusion that “things equal love”, or that we are perpetually lacking some thing that would make us feel complete. No longer can we fall into the trap of believing that being in debt to someone is a way to ensure their future attention.
Some of us hoard items as another symptom of this “spirit of lack.” But things don’t make us feel better in the long run; ideas do.
Signpost Two:“Frequently ‘borrowing’ items such as books, pens, or small amounts of money from friends and others, and failing to return them.”
The solution:
In order to get better, we can decide (one day at a time) to not debt no matter what. No matter how small or insignificant the debt is, we can reaffirm that we do not need to incur it to survive. We simply don’t need to borrow without offering collateral in order to survive. There is always an alternative to unsecured borrowing.
Here are just a few alternatives that may work for you:
- We can do without. (I know, it’s shocking, but sometimes we really don’t need that pencil/book/money/latte/etc.)
- We can use collateral instead of borrowing outright.
- We can accept a gift, as long as it is freely given with no strings attached.
- We can trade something of value – such as our time, or a possession.
Have I given up the empty obsession to borrow, trying to relieve anxiety? Have I started taking the Twelve Steps instead?
Meditation for today:
In nature, the old is routinely discarded for the new. Leaves fall so that new ones come next year.
In the same way, empty yourself, give of yourself, return what has been given so graciously to you from others, and you will find hope, healing and new prosperity.
Affirmations for today:
“Happiness is the byproduct of a life well-lived.”“I have everything I need. All I have to do to keep it is give it all away every day.”“How precious is the time I have with my friends!”
Prayer for today:
“I pray for opportunities to give back to others what has been given to me, to empty my life and spend myself in good pursuits that create real value. I pray that I let go of the things that have held me back from my friendships.”
Great Read (click the following image to read about Jerrold Mundis’ groundbreaking book):
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