Prosperity: Vision

I am not what happened to me.

I am what I choose to become. Carl Jung

My husband and I are working with local members of our church in the Memphis, TN, projects. Everyone we've met is warm and friendly—always open to receive us. I feel very blessed to have the people of this culture welcome us into their fold for a few months. I've learned a lot about love from them.

Some in the community we are working with will leave these projects, get themselves off SSI, and begin to live their dream of becoming part of main stream America. Others are content to stay where they are and enjoy the life they have.

One young girl is unmarried, age 24, and has four children. She had a happy childhood with her grandmother; and then, because of family tragedy, ended up on the streets alone during her teen years. She is trying to put her life back together.

She spent Sunday afternoon at a family barbeque and left her purse on the couch while she ate. Someone stole the twenty dollars she had for gas. With no family support, she looks to those of her faith to help her.

She has begun to clean an office building. She is tired at night, but happy for the job and is looking toward the next step.We are helping her expand her vision and see what she can accomplish as she sets her course.

Carl Jung

Education is the next step she has chosen in enlarging her vision. She already has her high school diploma, so college is on the horizon. She wants to study business.

We hold class once a week with the members of our group. To expand their vision, we try to find people who have walked the path these people are on.

One sweet lady who lived in the projects began as a cleaning lady. She attended a two-year business school and now has a responsible job in the Fed Ex Corporation. She has a beautiful home in a lovely Memphis neighborhood.

Another young mother has completed the schooling for her LPN and works at an extended care facility.

A medical assistant just moved to Memphis with her two children. She was able to find a comparable job to the one she left. She came here because she was accepted in nursing school.

Helen Keller

How do all of us attain the prosperity we seek? 1.         Look into your heart and clarify your vision. 2.         Set long term goals. Write them. 3.         Set short term goals. Write them. 4.         Set daily goals. Write them. 5.         Find others who have walked the path. They will help us keep our vision strong. We become what we think. *Visualize yourself completing your goals. *Prioritize your time so you complete your daily goals. *Work, play, and enjoy life! *You're on your way—headed down the path to your vision of prosperity. Slowly, step by step, those who are willing can create the reality of their vision. What an blessing for us to watch the change and growth. Nothing is more exciting than watching people become their best. We become what we think.

The Measure of Success

My husband and I are serving an inner city service mission to disadvantaged youth in a large southern metropolis. Among other things, we work with kids to help them improve themselves and their circumstances.

As we get to know each person, individual characteristics and personality traits become apparent.

Some youth just seem to 'drift' along, unmotivated as to self improvement and uncaring about change. They appear to enjoy life as it is, living only for the moment. They:

1.                  Take pleasure in their surroundings.

2.                  Enjoy friendships of the moment.

3.                  Accept others just as they are.

4.                  Join in the pleasure of the minute.

Others are driven, grasping at any program or agenda that will help them change their circumstances. They want to improve themselves and their lives. They:

1.                  Look for ways to change their lives.

2.                  Know that education is the way out of the ghetto.

3.                  Encourage others to adopt their ideas.

4.                  Plan carefully to complete their goals.

As we counsel with these young people, it's difficult not to compare one group against the standards of the other group. But one way of life isn't 'wrong' and the other 'right.'

Let's look at our own lives. Are there positives we can adopt from each of these life styles? 

I want to take pleasure in my surroundings and enjoy friendships because I accept others just as they are. But I also want to improve myself, get as much education as I can, and complete the goals I have set for myself.

The price of success is hard work, and the determination . . . we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand. Vince Lombardi

Each of us has a unique set of personality traits. We can choose to stay the way we are or set goals to change our circumstances. 

Which way do you work?

Make a conscious choice to become the best you can be—to find your own success, whatever that means to you.

Family Success

 

Several weeks ago I met a family where three generations live in the same house. There is a grandmother, three daughters, and eleven children.

Now this is a lot of people under the same roof. When I first became acquainted with them, I felt a little overpowered. Listening to everyone talk, and getting to know each person seemed overwhelming. But as I learned everyone's name and got used to the chatter and activity of the children, I saw respect and order amidst the commotion.

There are lots of reasons this family functions so well.

1.      The adults support each other.

2.      The adults cooperate with each other.

3.      The adults love each other.

4.      The adults have fun together.

5.      The adults work together.

Therefore:

The children are learning to support each other. If one of them is having difficulty reading, another is always there to help with the hard word.

Child cooperation is evident in this family, especially with the baby of this extended group. As she toddles around, an older sister or brother is always there to pick her up when she falls.

Love abounds in this family as the kids dance together, enjoy group games, and many other activities. 

This family has the necessities of life, but not a lot of extras. They make do with what they have and find fun in being together and learning together. Education matters to this group of people so I know the children will be successful in their pursuits in life.

Everyone works in this family. It's like a big enthusiastic group of people, moving in the same direction.

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.

Henry Ford.

 I consider it a great blessing to know these people. They have expanded my view of family life. I am a better person because of my friendship with them, and I am grateful for that gift.