I don’t know whether it’s an age thing or not but I am now finding myself at a stage in life where I’m actually, honest-to-goodness, really, truly working on my prosperity.

No longer am I just “talking the talk;” I’m “walking the walk.” I signed up for a class about prosperity consciousness. I even joined an investment club where we take real dollars, do actual research, and make genuine investments. We’re like grown ups!

Don’t misunderstand; I have no interest in gaudy bling, driving a Lamborghini Veneno, using $100 bills to ignite “King of Denmark” cigars, and vacationing at the Mantangi Private Island Resort in Fiji. It’s not like that at all.

Actually, according to Eric Butterworth, author of the popular book, Spiritual Economics, “prosperity” is derived from the Latin root, which translates: “according to hope” or “to go forward hopefully.” Therefore, instead of assuming the dark cloud will push its way out from behind the silver lining, I’m changing my expectations from those of lack to beliefs that everything is going to turn out the way I need it when I do.

This is not like switching on a light.

One doesn’t go from Winnie the Pooh’s Eeyore to Inside Out’s Joy overnight. Years of trudging down a worried road have left well-defined ruts in my consciousness. I must actively work it; especially when things don’t seem to be heading in what I would describe as a “hopeful” direction. You know, the roof leaks. (Ka-ching!) You need to take out a second mortgage just to buy groceries. (Ka-ching!) One of your largest, more regular clients decides to go in “another direction.” (Ka-ching!) Each time I get hit, it can throw me back on my heels. After all, it’s hard to feel “prosperous” when you’re robbing Peter to pay Paul.

So, I’m learning to expand my definition of what actually is prosperity.

For example, you have more money than a Sheik, but if your health is preventing you from enjoying life, your personality is a toxic waste dump, and you come home to an empty — albeit well furnished — home at days end, I think we’d all put down money saying you’re not prosperous. Like so much in life, it’s not about what you have, but about your attitude about what you have.

Therefore, in the interest of lightening attitudes, and reminding us that prosperity comes in many forms — including humor — I put forth Ten Ways You Didn’t Even Know You Were Already Prosperous.

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