June 28. 2022
Ahhhhh, Peace
"Shukov went to sleep fully content. He'd had many strokes of luck that day; they hadn't put him in the cells; they hadn't sent his squad to the settlement; he'd swiped a bowl of kasha at dinner; the squad leader had fixed the rates we'll; he'd built a wall and enjoyed doing it; he'd smuggled that bit of a hacksaw blade through; he'd earned a favor from T'sezar that evening; he'd bought that tobacco. And he hadn't fallen ill." ~ Alexander Solzhenitsyn from One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
The above quote is taken from the last paragraph in Solzhenitsyn's novel about life in a Soviet forced labor prison in Siberia. The character, Shukov, had spent ten such years from "the first clang of the rail to the last clang of the rail." Yet Shukov was able to experience a measure of prosperity (most never achieve) even under those extremely harsh conditions.
Shukov knew how to look for the cloud's silver lining. He knew that bemoaning his fate would not help, so he trained his mind to grasp whatever richness was available by adjusting his attitude.
People think that having more money will automatically make their lives richer, yet most of the time people's relationship to money and life stays the same regardless of the amount they have. Misers remain misers. Spendthrifts remain spendthrifts and so forth.
Think about the allowance you had as a kid. Chances are your relationship to money and prosperity hasn't changed much no matter how many zeroes you now have next to the one.
Build a prosperity consciousness to guard against lean times.
Surround yourself with objects which reflect your aliveness. Get rid of junk. Clear out dead wood. Go through closets, drawers, attics, garages and dispose of things which no longer serve a useful purpose. Give things away, throw them away or pack them away if you can't decide. When you limit yourself to objects you value, you feel lighter and happier. Old favorites are discovered when they are not buried under mountains of clutter.
Notice how cherished possessions make you feel. Using them is pleasurable and satisfying. Your energy expands as you use them. You resonate and harmonize with them. They reflect your inner essence. Using things that don't reflect your essence feels like a song out of tune. You are usually better off without anything, than with things which you don't like.
Enjoy repairing and reconditioning items which need it. Having removed the clutter, it is fun to make a project of fixing favorites which remain. Things in good working order, which gleam and sparkle, are a pleasure to use. Repairing treasured items is enjoyable. It feels good to care for things we like. When we have too much junk, too many gadgets, repair and upkeep can seem like an overwhelming task.
Note the qualities you think money will buy and find ways to experience those qualities now. Identify what you consider important; freedom, self-respect, adventure, creativity, rest, exercise, beauty. Then identify actions which will help you experience those qualities now, regardless of your budget. Schedule them!
Don't contract your energy in fear, guilt or worry about money. It serves no good and numbs the enjoyment of what you do have. If you don't know what I mean, pay attention to how you feel the next time you overspend. If you cannot correct something, don't fret about it. Often, one thought leads to another and you will put yourself in a negative spin that will likely create more negative problems. Let it go.
Most people spend a lot of time anxious about money. Don't be. Do what you can to correct money problems, but recognize that tension hinders creative problem solving and pleasure. Let go of worry and experience whatever prosperity is at hand.
Open your eyes, mind and heart to the abundance which you do have. Experience the richness of life all around you. See the stars, smell the flowers and listen to the birds even if everything else in your life is falling apart. Make a list of the things in your life that money can't buy.
It may take a dedicated, conscious effort to live life with a prosperity consciousness, but when you try, like Shukov, at the end of each day you will go to sleep fully content.
Soul of an Artist
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