Your Life is Important.

On Friday, I was walking over the Williamsburg Bridge, listening to some beautiful piano music on my iPod, and thinking about the way myself, and other small business owners that I know, have wanted to keep our clients' spirits up in the midst of the economic recession by focusing on the positive. We share thoughts of optimism and thriving, and try to uphold a sense of expansion for the clients we would like to serve at this time - to stand in a place of abundance, and allow that to attract to us the clients who are ready to have us serve them.

The wind was soft and beautiful on the bridge, the sun was shining, and I could see movement all around me - people walking and riding bikes past me on the walkway, cars and trucks below, and the East River below that; cars on FDR drive and so many building housing so much commerce in the distance. I have always loved New York from this perspective - the sheer mass of so much going on at once has always been a beacon of what humans are capable of.

In that moment, I asked myself, "In the midst of all this financial worry, what am I, and my clients, truly longing to hear?" Was it "to thrive" or "be optimistic"? Actually, no. On a deeper level, I could feel that I needed more reassurance before I could find the strength to embrace positive action - I needed my fears to be acknowledged first and foremost. What I needed to be reminded of, and I am here to remind all of my readers is this:


In light of actual change in income, savings, or net worth, or even just the all-too-tangible threat of any of these things, people are now reconsidering what is important in life. Perhaps you have been brought to question your need for certain possessions, or desires. Perhaps you are considering changing career paths. While all of this change and uncertainty can be very exciting - it is also natural to feel ungrounded and insecure in the face of potential change.

As a community, we are being asked to stretch right now - to consider ideas and options we never have before. We live in one of the most abundant, developed, quality-enhanced times on the planet, and are on the brink of even greater break-throughs. Naturally, this would feel like a threat to our egos and psyches, whose cooperation would help bring drive and determination to the deeper calling of our hearts and souls. To foster that cooperation, I suggest that each of us take time to remember that as an individual, "your life is important." It really does make a difference to this planet if you follow your dreams, if you allow your creations to come forth.

Perhaps you don't need as many expensive pedicures as you thought, or perhaps you have to put off purchasing that new car, and of course, in being forced to come up against the limits of your current financial situation, you would feel defeated on some level. But it is not for naught - this is an opportunity to go deeper, to consider what is truly valuable. Start by trying to connect with the idea that your life is IMPORTANT. Define importance for yourself. Then, you will have your own standard of measure by which to decide where to direct your time, energy, and money. By acknowledging your own importance, you will enable it to grow.

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How to Use a Little Money to Create a lot of Joy

We are living abundant lives. I hope we call all let ourselves see that a little more.

Economists will tell you that the economy expands according to the FLOW of energy (money). In other words, energy (money) isn't "in" or "out" of the economy. The economy ebbs and flows proportionally to the flow of energy (money).

It's no wonder now that many of us are feeling anxious to get moving again. The beautiful strength within each of us to go after what we want and see it come to fruition (our personal ability to manifest) has not disappeared! We just need to remember to step back into the flow, rather than stand on the banks of the river, mistrusting its speed. Don't you remember that you were just IN that same river, enjoying the flow, and knowing it would carry you to wherever you want to go?

And, how do we do that? There are things in our lives right now that could use our appreciation, love, uplifting, or positive reinforcement, and when those needs are met, confidence in our abundance will return. We need to restore our confidence in what we have to give.

Start by telling yourself to re-focus on what you do have. "What if all I have is a dollar? In quarters!?" you ask.

In what way could a dollar in quarters make you feel rich? Try this:

Go to a fruit stand on your lunch break or on your way to work and buy an apple (at some carts in New York, $1.00 might even get you two apples!). Take it up to the kitchen, slice it, and arrange the slices on a plate. Then walk around the office, and start offering your colleagues a slice. Just see what happens! Notice how you feel as you bring a fresh new taste full of energy and life to the people you work with - who are probably accustomed to the taste of stale croissants and machine coffee.

"I don't even have an office to work in right now!" you say. What about using facebook as a way of creating a place of having to "virtually" show up each day, and share with your colleagues. It's a fantastic place to create a persona, because you can add things when you are in the best mood to do so. And here's a way to use facebook (or, okay, the good, old-fashioned cellular telephone) to REALLY get some energy flowing:

Find someone who you KNOW has wanted to work with you - who admires your expertise - and OFFER your services to them. Ask them if there is a way for you to help them jump-start any area of THEIR business. Notice how it feels to come from a place of knowledge and experience. Give your service to them for the joy of being of service - or ask them to barter with you in a way that will bolster your energy as well. Remember - the point is to allow yourself to see what you HAVE. And the best way to see that, is to have it reflected by someone who needs you.

"I know I have money, but it just feels so much tighter right now." Rather than get stuck in the feeling of "tightness," focus on how much more you are doing for the world in keeping the energy moving. Maybe there are artists and small business owners whose services could make your life easier, while at the same time feeding their work-flow and income. Have you been putting off a project? Why not support a smaller company NOW, to get your own juices flowing and make progress on your needs? Smaller companies THRIVE with just a little new business! As we support entrepreneurs, we are creating more flow for everyone.

Finally, take inventory. Count your proverbial blessings. Ask yourself, "Do I have natural talents I'm not expressing right now?" What are they? Begin, gently, to wonder ... "How could I begin to allow these talents to go out into the world? What difference could I make if I really began to let the real me shine?"

It simply isn't possible to feel lack and abundance at the same time, and when you are creating abundance for others, you are innately contacting your own abundance. When you allow yourself to focus on what you have to give, you are inherently focusing on what you have.

What will the world not have unless you bring it?

For me, it's about not being afraid to dust off old gifts and bring them back to light. Many of you know, that before my photography business, I was a freelance writer - consulting on screenplays, writing content for the All Media Guide, writing press releases for the People's Choice Awards, and more. Now, as I encourage you all to expand your natural gifts, I will once again include writing in the skill-set I advertise.

In the spirit of giving voice to what's inside an individual, I have created a free introductory call, True Voice: How to Begin to Hear it. This call is perfect for writers, for experts who want to be writers, or for people who just wish they were better able to express themselves through writing. It's also a great resource for developing a habit of expressing your individuality - getting your real self out into the world through the use of your words!

You are officially invited to take part in True Voice: How to begin to Hear it. On the call, we will complete an exercise that will get you tuned into your inner inspiration, and get words flowing that express the real you!

In this course, I will be helping unpublished experts to articulate their methodology and accelerate their business by showing them how to identify and utilize their own powerful written voice.

Please feel free to email me with any questions about the Writing from Your True Voice course at sarah[at]sarahsloboda.com.

To access a free recording of the call that took place on March 3, 2009, please click here.