“Do you want to experience financial abundance, to live in joy, to know peace, to receive and give love, to fulfill a dream?  All of these things are part of our potential and they are all waiting for us to choose them.”

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This quote from Jennifer Hoffman reflects a popular belief of many self-professed “life-coaches”; the idea that material &/or emotional “abundance” can be “manifested” by anyone who chooses to harness the power of the “Law of Attraction”.  And while I respectfully refuse to debate the validity of such a theory, I would like to illuminate some of the profound consequences that always accompany such a self-centered mentality.

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While it may be true that “our entire existence is nothing more than a stream of potential, awaiting our energy and action to direct  it” (again Ms. Hoffman), attempting to harness that potential for personal benefit only serves to entrench one’s desire (and also one’s fears) — the primary source of all suffering.  Financial abundance brings only fleeting and superficial pleasure  unless it is used to further the Joy of others.  Power only brings inner Peace when used to bring Peace to others.  Love only brings Harmony when we are giving it to others — never when we are yearning for it ourselves.

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As such, there is another way of acting upon the theory of “manifestation”; a way that smoothly aligns the manifestor with his/her surroundings — a way that brings Peace as opposed to pain.  And this way is the way of purposeful selflessness.

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In essence, when in pain seek to alleviate others’ pain.  When tired seek to build others up.  When lonely seek to give others Love.  When sad seek to bring others Joy.  And when afraid seek to inspire others to acts of courageous Kindness.

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Indeed, this is the only “battle” we can ever win — when we choose to shift the focus of our desires and our dreams and our hopes from manifesting personal benefit to enhancing the quality of Living for others.

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That is all … literally.