MLM Talk

[Peter Arnold / Canada]

PROSPERITY => is it '*' ?

Hello Business Associates:

As we know, headlines in major papers have said the public has lost faith in the 'corporate financial system' -- because of accounting scandals and misconduct by wealthy CEO's.

There are accusations of top officials 'prospering' at the expense of others.

There is a crisis of faith on Wall Street in the US -- and Bay Street here in Canada.

So, what does all this have to do with NWM, you ask - - -

NETWORK MARKETING (NWM) - In our industry - unlike most other - 'average people' have the opportunity to achieve WEALTH - total 'financial independence' and freedom - among many other prizes.

Most will not pay the PRICE for this reward in NWM -- but the DOOR to great financial success and prosperity is wide open, for all of us.

Whether we walk 'through' that door is up to each one of us.

For many of those who DO reach high levels of success - and acquire some fame and fortune -- and accumulate wealth - whether in our NWM industry - in the professions - in traditional business - or elsewhere -- they are accused by many of being '*' -- of DISHONESTY and GREED and MATERIALISM. And yet, statistics show a 'growing number' of millionaires and multi-millionaires every year.

Given the 'collapse of corporate confidence' developments - it may be hard to think otherwise - but IS it all justified?

To begin with, I believe we should not 'tar and feather' everyone with the same brush - we need to 'separate' the BAD from the GOOD.

While there HAS been much evil in Corporate North America (and in Government -- witness the "kick-back scandles" in our Canadian scene lately -- and the "lobbyist scandle" in the US!) -- personally, I believe that part of the reason for all the accusations of corruption / greed stems from a general LACK of "prosperity consciousness" and a LACK of "abundance thinking" in our society.

Sadly, there's far too much of a POVERTY mindset.

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"Abundance is not something we acquire... it is something we tune into." (Dr. Wayne Dyer)
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DEBT - Another reason for our "scarcity" thinking may be because -- although we live in the richest nations on earth - the masses - who, without a paycheck for just 90 days -- would be facing bankruptcy (the masses are choking on debt and living beyond their means). We have had a long time of pre-conditioning towards "negativity" in our thinking.

BELIEF - The major MENTAL OBSTACLE to financial success and prosperity is that people believe that they don't really DESERVE to be successful. WOW ((the Law of Belief says simply this => Whatever we believe - with feeling - becomes our REALITY)).

Back to Prosperity and * - - -

Now, with what's been happening in corporate North America lately -- well, this all adds to accusation of greed, * (and now criminal corruption) -- and will likely accelerate.

However - I would still like to think that the vast majority of our nation's CEO's are honorable stewards of the finances they oversee -- capable managers of the corporations they run -- and fully accountable to the employees, shareholders and the customers they serve.

That aside, for those of us in Network Marketing (persuing our DREAMS), I'd like to develop that opening question a little further...

PROSPERITY - Are we really 'guilty' of this frightening condition of "dishonesty and greed and materialism" -- just because we become more prosperous -- or become better known -- or because we may want a bigger home -- or a newer car -- or whatever? Should we crawl through life in shame, because we actually enjoy our material posessions and our financial successes?

TRUTH - Here's my own call => when we work hard, and help others, and use good business ethics, and show integrity, and truth, and correct principles -- and honestly gain or achieve a material reward -- and enjoy the pleasure of that reward -- we are NOT guilty of "materialism or greed or *".

MATERIALISM - Do we know what materialism and greed really IS? -- It is the WORSHIP of that reward -- It is when money becomes MASTER rather than our SLAVE -- It is the firm belief that our true meaning in life comes from what we "possess" and experience "materially" -- and NOT from what really matters in life => our Maker, our family, our relationships, our beliefs, our values.

GREED - When our real purpose comes from THINGS -- and when we are prepared to compromise, rationalize, and sometimes even cheat to get what we crave -- THAT becomes greed.

MATERIAL REWARDS / PROSPERITY - Material success and prosperity - rather than being some kind of EVIL -- can bring tremendous GOOD.

There are many illustrations of this -- here are just 4:

(1)- ACCOMPLISHMENT - Material rewards and prosperity are a measure of 'personal achievement'. It builds our character. Reward for work makes us work harder. It makes us stronger. It lifts our self-esteem. It shows what we can DO. It breeds a winning spirit. Communism refuses to reward individual work. The results are - a failed economy - systems that cannot feed themselves - and broken men, and dejected women, with no sense of self-worth -- no pride in what they CAN do.

(2)- EXAMPLE - Material rewards and prosperity are vital examples to those without them. They are an example of what work and effort CAN produce. The poor remain poor without a MODEL to follow.

(3)- STRENGTH - Material rewards and prosperity will strengthen the family. Material benefit alone is not enough. A wealthy family, without love, and closeness, and * guidelines, and spirituality - is usually a bitter failure. Yet, when there is "balance" between these - and financial health - then, the quality of life in that home becomes vastly improved. For example -- security is provided -- needless pressures are eliminated -- a healthy atmosphere prevails. Moreover, a successful father and/or mother in the home is like a rock-solid-foundation for a family -- and a wonderful example to the children. Parents are respected as leaders -- they are admired as achievers.

(4)- SUPPORT - Material rewards and prosperity can present the rare opportunity for us to GIVE to great causes, and churches and charities, etc -- and to support and fund worthy projects. We can finance the costs of higher education for others, or meet the funding of special missions, or send parents on world cruises, or whatever. We can do great things - for OTHERS. And it is not the size of the gift that is important -- it is the intent, the spirit and the attitude with which it is given that is all important.

In Summary - I 'personally' believe the MYTH of materialism and prosperity should NEVER, ever keep us from further success and higher achievements and happiness -- or from greater economic accomplishments -- or from being ALL that we can truly be.

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= "Each of us has within us, the seeds of greatness". (Dr. Denis Waitley)

= "Cherish your own vision and your dreams as they are the children of your soul...the blueprints of your ultimate achievements." (Napoleon Hill)

= "We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let these great dreams die... but others nourish and protect them... nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true." (Woodrow T. Wilson)

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IN CONCLUSION - - -

I believe PROSPERITY has everything to do with => SUCCESSFUL LIVING.

Successful living starts with => SUCCESSFUL THINKING in my opinion.

Successful living is about => B-A-L-A-N-C-E => part of the natural Law of the Universe

Successful living must include some kind of 'balance' between -- financial -- educational -- recreational... physical -- spiritual values -- and not necessarily in that order.

Tragically, most of the cases of greed / corruption / ego we hear about at CNN (Continuous Negative News) were undoubtedly 'out of balance' in their lives.

True success and prosperity, in my view -- especially in NWM -- avoids 'extremes' -- it is a journey -- it is a gradual process -- and one where we take OTHERS of like mind WITH us

THAT'S what our great NWM 'industry' is about --helping enough other people achieve what THEY want in life -- and thus -- rightfully achieving more abundance and prosperity -- and realizing our OWN fondest DREAMS in life.

I would be interested in your thoughts on this topic.

Respectfully, Peter A.
http://www.PeterArnoldOnline.com

Peter Arnold, CLU, CFC // Founder
Business Achievers Academy // Canada

SUCCESS: http://www.YourFutureSuccess.biz