Lesson 14 In the Science of Getting Rich: The Impression of Increase
“Golden Rule” Jones of Toledo - What I want for myself, I want for everybody - Wallace D. Wattles
My third favourite chapter in this book is this very one - The Impression of Increase, not just because it helped me change my attitude drastically in several situations but also made me realise that what I want for myself - the feeling of being valued and receiving value - is what we all want. The chapter explores some simple but profound principles that explain how the flow of abundance in any aspect of our lives is a result of how much we also give to others. Three of these principles that I will expound today are: The law of abundance, The power of generosity and The power of giving more. Many times when we are in a bind or tight situation the only thing we can think of is how bad things are for us but the author encourages us that we do not need to wait for the perfect time, situation or business to “add more value” to the lives of other people, we can start with what we have and where we are. This brings me to our first point
The Law of Abundance
The law of abundance states that there is an unlimited supply of resource, wealth and opportunities for everybody. this knowledge alone helps me in both professional and personal situations alike. The moment I got an understanding that there is no limit on what I seek and that only my mind limits my receiving of it, I started asking How can I? Rather than Where and when will it? Note that the “how can I” is not you and I as individuals taking matters into our own hands to force things but asking ourselves, higher selves, God/Source for help. As in asking “how can I get more clients?” and allowing for inspiration to opportunities.
Our goal and responsibility is to ask and not worry about how and when it will manifest. My mentor Bob Proctor used to say - Tell me what you want and I will show you how to get it. Initially, I thought that was too bold and how could he possibly know how to get these things, but as I studied his material and this book I realised that the “HOW” was more of a mindset and inner work rather than the physical appearance of things. It is difficult to grasp sometimes but think of this, the population of the earth is now over 7 billion and keeps increasing but have we ever lacked air to breathe? Do we know where it comes from? Do we see it and do we know how much of it is left? No, is my answer to these because I have never woken up a day thinking where am I going to buy or create air. As this is a natural resource you might be thinking well what about my product or clients and it is the same for those as well, there is an abundance of them if we ask of how to find them, we can figure out the where. When we adopt this mindset we then start living from a place of kindness and generosity and this brings us to the second principle:
The Power of Generosity
Generosity need not be only in grand gestures, in public and expected but the unexpected kindness we show others blesses those we encounter and always finds its way back into our lives. I recently experienced such profound kindness that I can’t get over. Leaving people with the impression of increase is to make someone feel they are getting value form us. Recently, just before my move I had lunch with a girlfriend who out of nowhere mentioned that she would be happy to help me pack up if I needed the help. I was quite surprised to be honest and then I said I will let her know. I wasn’t expecting it from her considering having her hands full with her kids and other stuff. After going through a number of boxes myself, I realised I needed the help so I texted her that if her offer was still on the table I’d take it.
She said yes and drove over to help me, as we managed a number of boxes and one whole room we stopped to have dinner. We had been at it for hours, she saw I wasn’t nearly done so she offered to come over again to complete and drive stuff off to charity. When she arrived the second time I was totally done but struggling with my luggage, so she drove me out to get a new suitcase which was a major help in checking in. On our way back I mentioned how immensely grateful I was to her because not only once but twice had she spent her weekend helping me and she replied - you have also helped me a lot in the past. I was humbled and I responded I didn’t do what I did because I expected a payback. She responded I know but I am also grateful for how you have been there for me. To say I was touched is an understatement but her words sunk deep and as I got home to finish packing I realised what I did once, which I had totally forgotten, sowed the seeds for a generous cycle. I had added value to her in some way and now I was receiving its reward. I did what I did because a friend needed help and it came back when I needed help, sometimes we don’t always get it returned where we invested and that is ok for somehow it will surely come to us if we keep giving.
The Power of Giving More
There are countless occasions when I have experienced giving more and sometimes overextending myself but that has never stopped me giving when I can. It’s not always in physical items but in time, service and presence. Before I became a coach I gave more than I could handle and especially with regards to my loved ones that was because my giving at that time was routed in lack of boundaries and abundance but as I worked through it I realised overextending myself from a place of lack did no-one any good. In the popular verse - It is more blessed to give than to receive we are encouraged to give more than receive but that doesn’t mean to keep pouring out of our empty cups but to pour out of our full cups without expectation of its return.
Through the impression of increase we are encouraged to give value with what we have and where we are but not over do it. I knew a couple of ladies whose way of showing value was the lavish gifts they showered, I on the other hand would shower them with home cooked meals and my baked treats, knowing one of my love languages to be acts of service, this brought me more joy when I made them, shared and they enjoyed it. I used what I had and where I was giving more of my service, time and presence to them. The point here is giving more doesn’t always have to be about money but the way you make someone feel in your presence can be more than money can buy. As we start a new week and month, I want to encourage that we try to leave everybody we encounter with the impression of increase in one form or another. We have to realise that what we want for ourselves others want the same for themselves and so ponder over the “Golden Rule” by Jones of Toledo - What I want for myself I want for everybody because there is enough to go around.
Journal Prompt: How can I add more value to anyone I deal with today?