Life Experience

I am noticing these days that many people are big on preaching about attracting abundance into your life, finding spirituality( GOD), fulfilling your life purpose, etc... . I have listened to countless individuals who have read book after book on varous subjects and consider themselves authorities. Their ideas may resonate with you, but you have no touchstone with which to believe.

It has always been my strong belief, that though reading books is wonderful and listening to audio CDs and lectures is great to improve you knowledge, there is no real substitute for direct life experience. For example, some people read the Bible and learn a great deal from it's teachings( not an opinion, just an observation). However, when talking to these people they always speak about life and it's lessons in the third person. "Well, Jesus said, or John said, or so and so said." They rarely speak in the first person using their own voice and life experience.

It appears, they have lost their own sense of self divinity and have not taken their knowledge into the world; so to speak. An example would be if a car salesman tells you to buy a particular car because his Aunt Bertha bought one and she loves it. You have no relationship with Aunt Bertha and are a mere acquaintance with the car dealer. How can you make a purchase and believe? Some would say Faith. Perhaps. But faith backed up by life experience is a whole lot more convincing.

People can say they have faith and believe in God or a higher power. But, the most convincing examples of this faith are those who actually tell of life experiences and how they have "felt" the presence of "holiness", or how spirit works in their lives. I don't mean to get bogged down in religious chatter today, it's simply a strong example. When we speak from the third person about what someone else said, it completely moves us out of the equation. Plus, it puts us in the position of speaking for them, which is just wrong.

How often do you speak about a belief in the third person... what he or she said? If you are trying to gain support for your cause or teach someone a life lesson, teach them through a story about your life, maybe using your reading as a reference.

Speaking in the first person is a powerful way to drive your point home. Example: "Apples are a great food this time of year. I bought some the other day and they were absolutely delicious, you should try them." Instead of, "My Aunt Hazel says apples are great this time of year. She bought some the other day. I have never had an apple, but she says they are the best."

Stop taking Aunt Bertha and Aunt Hazel's word for it. If you read or hear something and are inspired, bring it into your own life, see where it reasonates with you. It will actually make you are stronger believer. Then... passionately share it with the world! People will feel your passion and know you have really experienced your own message.

Be good to yourselves today and each other (not because I say so, but because that is what you experience in life)
Best,
Thomas