Which Comes First? The Inside Work or the Material Comfort?

Here’s what started this:

“When all basic needs are met true self development stands a chance of abundance of the spiritual kind.”

That was waiting for me on my facebook wall this morning …

And it’s not an uncommon way of thinking.

My friend John, for example, is the King of “If I hadda” and “Yeah but” – he’s gotten way better about this over the years, but it was always amazing how many different ways he could put obstacles in his own path – and have most of them be basically in his own head.

• If I hadda certain tool, then I could get the job done.
• Yeah but even if I did have that tool, I still need the free time to do it properly.
• If I hadda chance to do the things I want to do, I would be happier.
• Yeah but good things never happen to guys like me “they” won’t let it.
• If I hadda bank roll I could get the things that I want/need.
• Yeah but I’m not built like that – I can’t get a break to save my life.
• If I hadda different life, wouldn’t things be just peachy

Yeah but – I’m skeptical …

I believe that if he were handed everything that he wants/needs there are two ways it could go.

1. First, if it weren’t strictly controlled by outside arrangements, it would be squandered in a very short matter of time.
2. Second, he’d still be discontent. Unable to appreciate the things he does have (to me) says that no matter what he has, that appreciation factor will still be missing.

So back to the statement on my Facebook wall this morning:

“When all basic needs are met true self development stands a chance of abundance of the spiritual kind.”

See I think that’s almost a catch 22 in a way – it can be that when personal development happens, the physical wants and needs get met and then some.

And on the other hand, I know an awful lot of ‘starving’ artists and deep thinkers – so there has to be more to abundant financial/material flow than just “inside work”, yeah?

Seems like the real puzzle piece is being of value to others AND being able to take action to package yourself in a way that others recognize that value – and second part to that is being a willing participant in the material ebb and flow (which is a point where A LOT of people have fear and stuck points, eh??)

Which takes me to this – (probably why I’m working on a personal branding project and have been invited to offer up my coaching efforts to another…) – where we can help people is with the packaging and presentation (ie. the branding and the marketing ) and though we can present and expose them to the personal development that will bring the lasting growth, that’s all that can be done.

The rest has to come from inside.

THEY have to weigh how much they want change to happen and then they have to take action to do the inside work to get there. What’re you willing to do today …

It’s the old “We’re only given as much as we can handle” in action – so when we can handle more, we never seem to fail to get it … funny how that works.

Don’t ya’ think?

Appreciate you!

Andrea