Ask. Believe. Receive: Getting What You Need And Deserve Out of Life

After rubbing the lamp, the genie appears and says to Aladdin, "Your wish is my command." Aladdin makes his wish or wishes and the genie simply does as asked. And even though the contemporary version states that Aladdin's wishes are limited to three (making for a more interesting story through a limited number), the original story tells us that his wishes are unlimited. And this is closer to the truth as far as you are concerned. However, in order for the genie or universe to grant our wishes there are some tests and requirements that are not mentioned in the fictional story of Aladdin and his lamp that must be fulfilled. But before we get to those, let's take a look at the equation in more detail.

Yes, in order to Receive first we have to Ask, but the Believe part of the equation is the most difficult. According to Chicken Soup for the Soul's Jack Canfield, this is the part of the equation most have difficulty with. But even tough there may be difficulties, the bottom line is does it work? Oh, yes. And how!

If you've seen The Secret or read the book, you know that there are many who have used the law of attraction. And it's nothing new or lost like the movie / book states. People have been calling on the great unknown (or known to some) for centuries. In its secular form, people label the giving force as "the universe." Others use the terms "the Divine," "God," or other more religious labels. Of course in The Secret the more pc term "the universe" is invoked to not scare off those on the fence. Even though the term "God" is used, it comes up later (in the movie at least) at a point where those who haven't been scared off by the "creepy" religious or new age factor (those on the fence) are still around.

Regardless, the law of attraction is not a secret nor is it something only a select few use or have used. Millions have used it over the centuries and continue to use it, to call upon the powers based on faith or belief in things not seen. And this is where most run into difficulties. If you are agnostic; atheist; or abused emotionally, physically under the guise of "religion," you are going to be saying through your smirk, "Yeah, right, and Peter Pan can fly." (Maybe he can't. Never met the guy.)

Regardless, there are those in the movie who have used it, used it well, and have been rewarded accordingly. I have used it on a small and large scale and have been rewarded. However, if you ask for something, believe you'll get it then doubt, it won't happen. Having faith that something the tangible, rational mind can't put its finger on is difficult for most adults, especially those living in the mechanized, scientific-method-only-please, see-it-believe-it industrialized world. A world that preaches convenience (indoor plumbing, light at the flick of a switch, dish / cable TV, iPods,  Internet, etc.) may find the "mystical" only for those slow of mind with oddly slopped foreheads. But those who don't believe it will happen, of course, will never reap the benefits--the Receive part of the equation.

So the question becomes . . . How do you do it? Believe, that is.

Of course, it takes practice, tenacity, and a belief that the world is not one of limitations but abundance. If you were brought up to believe that "money doesn't grow on trees," "to save for a rainy day," that upon requesting money your mother or father said, "What? is my last name Rockefeller?" (or Buffett, Gates, etc.) then you may have a tough time Believing. But believe you must and expand your concept to greater abundance you must if you desire great things materially, emotionally, and most importantly, spiritually. And here's a BIGGIE.

If you just desire for yourself, money, material goods, prestige, fame and fortune, you'll have a difficult to impossible time not necessarily getting the money or lifestyle of abundance but hanging onto it. There are many who speak of being graceful and giving if you desire great things AND to hold onto that lifestyle / mindset. Just ask Oprah, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Napoleon Hill, T Harv Ecker, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen . . . on and on and on it goes. 

These people know that a giving heart is one that receives. Napoleon Hill (Rhonda Burns of The Secret got the idea from his books Think and Grow Rich and The Law of Success in Sixteen Lessons) speaks to the fact that one must give before he or she receives. To some degree. You don't necessarily have to give first, or just give once and expect great blessings, but you must have a mindset, or better yet, a feeling within that focuses on giving.

Now some may say, "Well, if I'm looking for money, riches, luxury, that's not where I'll find spirituality. After all, Gandhi, Buddha, Christ, Martin Luther King weren't rich." True. But their lives were exceptional, called to a different level of commitment than the majority. But consider the following. If you are of a giving mind, if you desire to sacrifice and give, why not look to abundance in your life financially and ask what's to be done for others with your abundance.

There are many who have great gobs of money who give of their time, money, and energy freely. I've already mentioned Oprah, but what of Gates and his giving 90% of his money to others (obviously inspired by Carnegie's "Wealth": First, gather and accumulation wealth. Second, distribute wealth to benevolent causes), and many others who are giving. Look at the number of angel investors who give thousands of dollars to startups with solid business ideas, those looking to make a change in society. (For more on the "giving wealthy" read T Harv Ecker Secrets of the Millionaire Mind).

Unfortunately, all too often people are scared off from seeking wealth because, allegedly, "Money is the root of all evil." Well, it's not the money but the love of money above all else that causes problems. Look around with an open mind and you'll begin to see more and more of the wealthy who are giving. It may not be announced because many give out of the goodness of their hearts not to make news, and besides, it's not negative or "newsworthy" anyway.

Back to the issue at hand. There is much to this law of attraction, but in order to Receive, you certainly have to Believe and that takes practice. And don't forget that the universe likes people who are honest, forthright, loving, giving, desiring the betterment of others over priority of self, those who avoid gossip, negative or limiting thought, excessive self-indulgence in any form, and all the good that you can add to your life.

Ask. Believe. Receive. Does it work? You bet cha? Get to working and I'll see you on the healthy, wealthy side of life.

God bless.