Welcome to WealthWithHeart

About four months ago Billi and I purchased a very nice piece of exercise equipment. It is an elliptical trainer with a variety of cross-training settings and a wireless heart monitor. We had an exercise room in our home in California and found that we really missed it. So, viola!

Our renewed commitment to physical fitness coincides with our new venture to ensure our fiscal fitness. There was a glossy color photo of a very fit and highly toned woman on the cover of the brochure which came with the machine. During our due diligence phase, Billi jokingly asked our sales guy if she would look like the woman on the cover, and he, in equally good humor and shared fun replied, "Yes, of course, you'll look just like that in 6 months!" Well, I am pleased to report that both of us are making great strides and putting several miles a day on that machine. Subsequently, we are also feeling and looking fit.

Our fiscal fitness is also improving significantly, as we apply the same daily discipline to working our home-based business. Not long ago, we were in a financial position that was unsustainable for the long term, and we needed and wanted to make some changes. Now, things are shaping up in such a way that our "before" and "after" pictures are looking remarkably different. We feel incredibly blessed to have found this opportunity, and to have become part of this wonderful community of online entrepreneurs. It is so enlivening to help others realize their dreams.

Does your present situation need to change? Are your current circumstances unsupportable? Are you seeking a life-changing transformation that will result in a dramatic difference between your "present picture" and "future picture"? If so, then you just might be ready to take responsibility, make the decision, take decisive action and commit to a new course. For, when we realize that the responsibility is ours, we come to understand that the freedom to choose and the power to change are ours as well. Are you willing to do what it takes? Can you really afford not to invest in yourself at this point? Many things of value are expensive; others are priceless.

One of our mentors says, "If it is to be, it's up to me." This is absolutely true. On our internet marketing team, "you are in business for yourself, but not by yourself." So, it does not mean you have to go it alone, but it does mean that you have to make the decision, commit to the process and do the work. I believe this is true in life as well as in any successful business. It is part of "Adult Living 101." Commit to self-growth and to increasing your value to the world, and mastermind with others who share your passion and values. Seize the responsibility and take action. As has been observed, "It's ridiculous to lean on a shovel and pray for a hole."

I talk to a lot of people who are concerned about their present circumstance and fearful of the future. Many complain, yet at the same time make excuses about why they can't do anything differently. Sadly, they seem attached to their situation and exhibit a paralyzing level of indecision. With every opportunity they can find an obstacle that seems to justify their inaction. Well, clearly they are not ready to take action or make a change. You can't yank a butterfly out of its cocoon. And thankfully, once it finally starts to emerge, you can't stuff it back in, either. Timing is an interesting factor in our personal development and how we make choices and changes. Pain or the unequivocal realization that a situation is untenable is a great motivator.

When I used to do pastoral counseling I noticed that I never - not once - received a phone call from a potential client who said, "Gee, I have some discretionary money, some extra time in my schedule and I was thinking it would be good to do some personal growth work; may I make an appointment?" No, it never happened that way. Ever. People who called for an appointment were in some kind of pain, and were seeking support and relief. There was a wonderful consulting psychiatrist with whom I worked. One day I asked him what his goal was when he was seeing a patient. His profoundly insightful words resonated with me then, and continue to inform me even now. He said, "I try to give my patients as much support as they need, and as much insight as they can handle."

I felt a similar kind of sadness back then when, just as we had worked through the painful stuff and could really explore that which leads to real insight and personal growth, the client would stop coming to therapy. They had gotten enough relief from the acute pain and were not motivated to go further, delve deeper, learn more.

Happily, there are those who have done a lot of personal growth work and who know that making excuses and blaming others for their disappointments and indecisions does more harm than good; and that taking responsibility for one's circumstances, choices and future is empowering. The important question is not whether someone or something is "good or bad" or "right or wrong." The key is this: Does it drag you down or build you up? Is it enervating or is it energizing?

Again, I would ask: Are you seeking a life-changing transformation that will result in a dramatic difference between your "present picture" and "future picture"? If so, then you just might be ready to take responsibility, decide to take action and commit to a new course. Are you willing to do what it takes?

If you want a secure future that looks significantly different than your present, then it's important to be honest about this singular fact: You have the power and it is up to you to make it happen. Whatever you choose, I encourage you to take action. If you hear yourself complaining about the same old things over and over - without doing anything about it, then stop complaining and embrace it - it must be giving you something or you'd move on.

Mr. John Jackson says, "In order to have something you've never had before, you must do something you've never done before." I say, if you aren't willing to do that, then embrace where you are. I am reminded of the old bumper sticker, "America: Love it or Leave it." The same could be said for your present situation, current job, your relationship, or (fill in the blank). Either love it, leave it, or put forth the necessary effort to make a meaningful change. But whatever you do, take responsibility for it. For if you do, you will be happier, those around you will be happier, and you will begin to live a fuller, more empowered life. Because ultimately, it is truly up to you.