Clarification for Susan

Hi Susan in Illinois!

I'm sorry I'm not able to write back to you in person, I'm kinda' new to this format--when I went to reply directly from your comment...well, I erased MY reply as well as your lovely comment.  So I have to resort to replying via another post.  I lost your contact info, so write me back!

Again I thank you for the kind words, as well as everyone else who responded to my latest post.  However, as much as I'd like to take full credit, none of these ideas are mine, I just assimilate them from teachers I've had in the past.  I like to invest every year buying programs/seminars, etc. from all the Gurus out there.  It keeps me current and fresh.  So I have all the Brinton, Proctor, Hopkins, Robbins, Wickman, etc. etc. tapes, books, et. al. that money can buy. I try and internalize their material,incorporating it along with my experience in real estate so that when I'm regurgitating it for my students, it is relevant and rich with content.

Now as to your question/comment:

I strongly believe that many people blame circumstances or other people for who they are and where they are in their life right now.  This takes the accountability and responsibility away from them.  examples (we've all heard--or SAID ourselves):

1.  It's because of my childhood.  My parents...
2.  My wife (or more often My husband...right ladies?)...
3.  It's snowing...it's too wet...it's too cold...
4.  It probably won't happen 'cause I never get a break...why me?
5.  I'm not smart enough--they're smarter...
6.  I don't have the background...
7.  I don't have the experience...
8.  My boss holds me back...is a jerk...doesn't let me...

We could go on for days constructing THIS list.

Then there is the list that goes like this:

1.  I will someday...when I win the lottery...when my ship comes in...when my prince arrives...when I get more money...when I have more time...

These people are living in the future.  They're saying some occurence has to happen and THEN they'll be happy or successful.  Problem is, that thing never happens--or if it does, not the way they had dreamed it happening.

So Tolles says accept the past--it is what it is.  You shouldn't (of course you CAN, but you shouldn't) keep feeling the victim and blaming the past.  It made you who you are, yes.  But you have the choice to do something NOW to change.  Whereas you can't change the past, only re-run it in your head--a limiting practice.  You have the God given CHOICE to remain stuck on what happened and all the associated horrors, or to decide to move on, accepting the past but living every moment now, in the present, free of the pain baggage.

Surrender to the present, accept it.  The flower, the weather, the spinning Earth are as they are.  He says to plan for the future.  But don't live in it.  Do you have a business plan?  Do you have a personal plan?  Dream big. Set huge goals! Write them down and revisit them regularly.

Finally, Tolles says: "You are here to enable the divine purpose of the universe to unfold.  That is how important you are!"

Thank you.