I bargained with life for a penny
And life would pay no more,
However I begged at evening
When I counted my scanty store.
For Life is just an employer,
He gives you what you ask,
But once you have set the wages,
Why, you must bear the task.
I worked for a menial’s hire,
Only to learn, dismayed,
That any wage I had asked of Life,
Life would have willingly paid.
– Jessie B. Rittenhouse
Claudia – that’s awesome – beautifully said and so very, very true!!
Ann,
I read it in the book “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. Have you ever read it? I never thought I would read a book with that title b/c I used to think having money was not spiritual…
It has been a really interesting read though about our minds. And how what we think determines our outcome 🙂
Now read it again
without thinking of a ‘penny’ as money but rather everything in life
(relationships, success, friendships, fitness etc.) and you will see it works
just as well. Relationships are what it is all about, our relationships with
each other, with our spouse, our children (grandkids) with our peers, and with
money – all relationships,
so how are we doing? “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill is a book that should be read and re-read because it is a classic and so full of great truths. Yes, I was like you, I didn’t want to read it at first because I thought it was all about money and like you wanting money wasn’t spiritual – but when you think of “spiritual” – everything is “spiritual” – it was all created for our good, as long as we use it for good – then it is a blessing and a benefit. So, what is our relationship with money? Whatever your relationship with money is, is what you will have. If it’s not important to you – it will not come, if you have a bad attitude about money or think it is evil, it will stay away but if you have a great relationship with money, meaning you are respectful of not only money but everything and everyone in your life, you will have an incredible life. Something to think about!
Rosemary,
Truly appreciate what you said here!
I have seen that played out over and over in the lives of those around me. It is a interesting and wonderful concept… and one that I am still journeying through!
Have you ever read “Thou Shall Prosper?” It is next on my list of money books. I am really looking forward to it. I grew up thinking that money was bad and that it was slippery… so when you had it, you had to spend it quick before it got away.
These concepts have been so very freeing for me!
Have you read “Think and Grow Rich” often??
Claudia,
Very interesting poem. It sounds like we get out of life what we expect and demand. That reminds me of the statement that people will treat us as well as we demand. This is good food for thought. If we aren’t happy with what we are getting maybe we better start asking for more!
Have a Victorious Day!
Marianne Clements
VictoryChristianCoaching
Hmmm Marianne,
That is true!
Yes, I never used to view life this way. I didn’t think it was spiritual enough. But I have realized how much freedom God has given us to make choices. One of those choices is how I choose to think and what I choose to take action on and ask for. I used to approach life from a victim standpoint… never worked out to well 🙂
How bout you?
I love this poem. It helped make my day after prayer. People have gotten away from the little things:
being respectful, talking instead of hollering, writing a note or card and sending it in the mail instead of greeting using emails.
It makes you think about the communication people had fifty years ago to the fast pact of electronics and the fact that over a hundred years ago books were an rarity because the merchants did not have machinery and could not produce a lot of books quickly. The book binding machine was invented and now they could produce and people would like books. Now people read books on kindles, etc and do not wish to keep the written word but only on computer.
Oh, how simple life was then. Hey, I am not that old.
People are busy, sometimes I turn off all electronics just to hear myself breathe.
V.
People are VERY busy! So true! What a wonderful gift to give yourself and others. Turning everything off so you can breathe! wow.
Do you so this often?
Claudia, That’s an amazing poem… Everything is there for us to attain, and in order to attain it, we have to be willing to do what’s necessary.
Rob,
I guess that’s where most of us miss out… if we aren’t willing to do what is necessary to attain it. We don’t. Period.
I am still amazed by this. I always thought some people were just lucky. Ya know?
Reminds me of Earl Nightingale’s analogy, and Zig Ziglar may have used this too, but “many people are like the man sitting in front of an empty firestove saying “give me heat, and then I’ll add the wood”…” We all know that if we want heat, we have to be willing to put in the wood first.
wood! wood! gotta put wood in!
Seems so obvious… didn’t see that for years and years. Now I do.
“I changed, I changed, I turned my life around!” as Jim Rohn says 🙂
Awesome poem Claudia…the last section in particular resonates really with me.
Cindy,
Glad to hear it! You said the last section resonated with you… just curious how? 🙂
Claudia,
Often we settle in life. We are content with status quo living. Although we see the potential, we are not willing to move beyond just what is in front of us. Then before we know it days, weeks, months and years have passed us by. Wasted time and passions never realized.
That is powerful Cindy,
An amazing gift to be able to realize it when you are living that way, and to be able to change!
That is more than most people ever do!
Excited to join you on this journey!
Claudia…I tend to be a deep thinker. I’m also all about gaining knowledge and then working toward change. It’s been two years of nonstop change and growth.
Awesome Cindy!
What books/podcasts etc have been your biggest inspiration?
I’m always looking for more good content 🙂
Claudia, thanks for the great poem. We have to step out and work hard to attain what we desire. Blessings, @missioncoach
Rob,
Sure thing!
Stepping out especially speaks to me 🙂 YOU?