Discover the Gift of Giving
Are you looking for love, appreciation, acceptance, acknowledgement, health, wealth and success in all the wrong places? Napoleon Hill, the author of Think and Grow Rich, a book that has changed the lives of countless men and women through several generations, teaches a very simple method for attaining whatever it is you want and desire in your life.
In a small notebook, on the first page write a clear description of your biggest, loftiest, most bodacious life goal. Many teachers and mentors have taught the power of clearly stating your goals, writing them and visualizing them. However, Napoleon Hill adds another piece which is actually the cornerstone, the holy grail, the true “Secret” to success. On the second page, he asks you to list what you are willing to give in order to get what it is you desire.
Listen to this wonderful talk by Napoleon Hill, a man who discovered the universally creative power of control over your own mind and the boomerang effect of freely giving without expectation. That is a winning combination for attaining anything and everything you desire in your life.
Many of us have become really good at stating what we want. We remind our self. We tell everybody else. And we keep seeking what we want. The problem is, we forget the power of giving. When you give the exact thing that you want, even if you think you don’t have enough of it yet to give, the very act of giving sends a signal to your own subconscious mind and out to the universe that you already have what it is that you want.
Zig Ziglar, the well known author of See You at the Top and a highly persuasive speaker, explains this concept so clearly. “You can have everything in life that you want if you just give enough other people what they want.”
Are you looking for love, wishing for love, longing for love or just sad about not having enough love in the way you want it? My question is, “How much love are you giving, sharing, expressing and being?”
Are you trying to succeed in a business or career, working hard, struggling, and wondering why you don’t seem to be getting the results you think you deserve? My question is, “Are you actively giving away your best information, your special knowledge, your interest and concern for others? Are you giving to others that which you are desiring to attain for yourself?”
Are you feeling tired, depleted, disconnected, or unhealthy physically, emotionally or even spiritually? My question is: “Are you giving to yourself the time, sleep, rest, nourishment, nurturing, acceptance, and love that you might give to others?”
Heal through love. That is the only way to heal everything in your life.
Talk to me. Schedule appointment to create love now.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
July 4th, 2012 at 2:19 am
So well said!! If we only would take the time to give more!! I know that I need to do that more.. Thanks for the reminder!!
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
July 4th, 2012 at 2:33 am
Holly,
I keep learning how important it is to just freely give. And then, just when it feels as if I am giving and giving with nothing coming back to me, I am suddenly surprised by a gift that was unexpected and more than I could have imagined. It has happened often that way. And I always feel so much better when I am in the spirit of giving.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
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July 4th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
Dr. Erica,
I’ve read the book Think and Grow rich 4 times whole and then some chapters more times. Struggling, working hard and harder is really not the answer, but knowing what to do and what you attract and why will really put you on the right track to start attracting and receiving what you want in life.
Thanks for this great post.
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Dr. Erica Goodstone Reply:
July 5th, 2012 at 4:37 am
Sylviane,
I have fallen into that trap of working harder and harder. It feels as if I am going around in circles and getting nowhere. But when I step away, stop doing so much, go inward, meditate, write, work out, do something different, that is when the clarity begins to come. With clarity, I can accomplish pinpointed tasks and more easily get the desired results.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Dr. Erica Goodstone recently posted..Discover the Gift of Giving
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July 4th, 2012 at 7:27 pm
Dr. Erica, This book is the best! Thoughts are things indeed, If you can visualize it you can achieve it! Thanks for sharing!
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
July 5th, 2012 at 4:39 am
Tracey,
Thanks for your supportive comment. I am learning to pay attention to my thoughts and to choose them more wisely.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
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July 4th, 2012 at 9:36 pm
I think goal setting is important but I like to think of it in a different way. Challenge setting. You see in the book “The Charge” the author talks about how its a human drive that we need to challenge ourselves if we are going to ever progress. This natural drive allows us to keep moving forward in the direction that we want to go. One challenge that I have been working on as it relates to giving is to put together a product to raise funds for the Wounded Warrior Foundation. I am trying to get some of the top internet marketers together to promote it as well as provide their insight. Now there is a worthy challenge and goal.
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
July 5th, 2012 at 4:41 am
Clint,
That is certainly a worthy goal. It is so easy to look away and just pay attention to our own lives while these brave men and women are fighting for our safety and security.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
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July 5th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Hello Dr. Erica
I give back by volunteering my time to my community.
And even though I do it for altruistic reasons it has helped my business.
Peter
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:11 am
Peter,
Isn’t that interesting. When we give from the heart, without expectation of a specific return, the returns do come – and sometimes in ways we could never have expected.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
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July 5th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
Thank you Dr Erica for reminding us that goal setting is not only about doing the right things it’s about energetically giving with our heart what we want.
We tend to protect ourselves with our thoughts thinking that when we work mentally this is enough.. or when we show we care this is enough…
Giving unconditionally the same essence of what we most want brings energy back to us.
To me,the key is to give unconditionally our best with no expectations.
Thank you for this great post and video.
Best wishes;)
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:14 am
Patricia,
It is not easy to give our all without expecting something in return. However, when we can truly feel that we already have what we need and that whatever we seem to lack will appear in its right time, then we are able to just give. And then, somehow we magically do receive what we want or something better.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
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July 5th, 2012 at 8:34 pm
Lovely message Dr. Erica – and of course I’m a lifelong fan of Napoleon Hill so your video is an awesome touch. I’m also a big believer in possibility thinking. Too many people force themselves to think small because they just can’t see how they could make that big audacious goal a reality. With possibility thinking it all starts with “what if” and “how could I make this happen” thinking to get creative juices flowing. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
July 6th, 2012 at 12:17 am
Marquita,
It is important to have that “what if” thinking, trusting that the “how to” will appear at the right time. But I am beginning to believe that the most important thing we can do is to give freely, give what we want most to receive. That somehow provides a message to our subconscious and to the universal forces and actually brings to us more of what we are giving.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
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July 5th, 2012 at 8:43 pm
Hi Dr. Erica,
thank you for this inspiring post and the Video.
Napoleon Hill’s ‘Think and Grow Rich’ book was pivotal in my growth and it is good to see him talk. A man ahead of his times!
In regards to goals I learned that for me I need to build experiences of small successes since I experienced so many disappointments from early childhood.
Much appreciated.
Love and Light
from
Yorinda
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
July 7th, 2012 at 10:47 pm
Yorinda,
I think all of us do much better if we can build experiences of small successes, whether or not we have had many childhood disappointments. This online world seems to level the playing field. Each of us has to find our own way to build our brand, to stand out from the crowd, and to create whatever it is we want to create.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
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July 7th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
Erica,
Giving as in giving excellent content and expecting nothing in return for it. Giving as in giving from the heart with heart. The Universe has a way of knowing how to return the favor.
Wonderful lesson, Erica. Thanks.
RICK
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
July 7th, 2012 at 10:49 pm
Rick,
You got the message. Too many people think the opposite way – “Whats in it for me?” They may give, as long as they are quite sure they are getting their fair share or more in return. However, when we give with an open hand and an open heart, without such expectation, we do inevitably receive back – and in ways we probably did not even anticipate.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
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July 9th, 2012 at 2:49 am
Thank you for this inspirational message. I think what I most want is to help people understand their dreams, and I do give that as much as I can but lots of people don’t seem to want it! The other thing I want is to teach people to write poetry, and you guessed it, not a popular subject either!! These are what I have set my lifeline on . . . Any advice you might have for me would help! I am a member of a peer group poetry workshop and give a lot of feedback. But otherwise, how can I give away free what I have set for my livlelihood? i am currently doing the Science of Mind . . . and learning as much as I can about the laws of the universe. Also, I do give a lot of love to people, strangers as well as friends and family. I love to love!
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
July 11th, 2012 at 1:53 am
Deborah,
Some of us naturally write poetry. It just flows. I have written since I was a young child. But so many others are afraid to put their thoughts onto paper. Some are afraid of writing articles and even blog posts. Others are even afraid to leave a simple comment. Many are fearful of putting all their thoughts together into a book. And probably even more people are afraid of writing poetry if they have not naturally been inspired.
But if you can make it really simple for them to capture the sense and the essence of their most delicate emotional states, they will begin to enjoy the art of poetry. It is healing for the soul.
I once hear this from an experienced salesperson: “Give it away until you can sell it.” If you don’t give it away so that people can see it and feel it, they will never be inspired to purchase it. But if they enjoy what they received for free. And they hear you recite it and they visualize it and are then encouraged to write on their own, they will be much more inclined to want to buy it from you to enjoy it and to learn from it.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
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July 9th, 2012 at 9:24 pm
I really do believe in giving back without expecting anything. I think people with this mentality when in the long run. More people will flock to them and be attracted to the good in them.
More happiness in giving forsure.
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Dr. Erica Goodstone Reply:
July 9th, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Jacob,
When we give without expecting an immediate return, sometimes it appears as if we are getting nothing back and that nobody is noticing. But over time, good things do happen. People remember the good that you did and it can come back in delightful and unexpected ways – and not necessarily from the people you did the good deeds for.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Dr. Erica Goodstone recently posted..Discover the Gift of Giving
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July 10th, 2012 at 1:38 pm
Erica, as Rubenfeld Synergists, you and I know the power of including the body as well as the mind. When you tap into the wisdom and knowing of the body as well as the mind, you are much more apt to be successful and satisfied. While the mind can tell you what you “think” about any situation, the body tells you want you “feel” and what you “experience”, or in other words, your felt experience, which is sometimes in conflict with what you think.
The body is also a great ally in being able to take the steps needed to be successful.For example, when you have your feet and legs securely under you, you’re able to take a stand and step forward with more commitment and passion. Honestly, if your body is not in agreement with your thinking, you won’t make much progress. When they work in concert, there’s no stopping you!
I agree with the giving part, although I haven’t heard it put quite that way before. I’m reminded of a song, “If love is what you want, give yourself to love” or words to that effect. This also reminds me of a mantra I used years ago, “Love first!” Thank you for this great post and all the thoughts and feelings it has evoked in me.
Warmly,
Joan
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
July 11th, 2012 at 1:48 am
Joan,
In a Rubenfeld Synergy session, we as practitioners naturally give. Our goal is to get our own judgements, conclusions and expectations out of the way to allow and enable the client to define for him or her self what is really going on. And it begins with their sensations and awareness of their own bodily responses.
Most people don’t fathom the idea of giving first. So many people approach the world with the “What’s in it for me?” attitude. When we give first, and let others receive what they want, we will naturally end up receiving – and often more than we had ever anticipated.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
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July 11th, 2012 at 12:09 am
Mr. Hill was a wise man! Anything worth having costs something, and the unwillingness to give in return for what we want often IS the missing link. Thank you for this brilliant post, which so clearly points that out.
Willena Flewelling
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Dr. Erica Goodstone Reply:
July 11th, 2012 at 12:38 am
Willena,
You are so right. So many people miss that simple point about the power of giving, freely with no expectation. Mr. Hill asks “What do you want” and then “What are you willing to give?” Most people want what they want without having to give what they have to give.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Dr. Erica Goodstone recently posted..Discover the Gift of Giving
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July 11th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
This article is one of the may reason why I enjoy your way of thinking and how you express it. I see so many things launched online with the model of “giving away value” that a person might think it is a done to death model.
Not so. It is just getting started going full tilt online. True enough, there are some who engineer their giving way things so that the items they are giving are mostly just extended sales pitches, but the ones that really get this idea and practice it are worth every penny.
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Dr. Erica Goodstone Reply:
July 12th, 2012 at 12:36 am
Michael,
The point of giving something for free is that you are sharing what you know, your special way of knowing, with others. They learn something from you, they feel the benefits, and then – if what you are offering is something they want to have – they will pay for your services. They will come to you and ask. You won’t have to sell or try to convince them. It will come to you easily and effortlessly.
As a sales trainer once said: “Give it away until you can sell it.”
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Dr. Erica Goodstone recently posted..Discover the Gift of Giving
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July 11th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
Oh My Erica, I watched the video and tears came to my eyes. I have been a fan of Napoleon Hill for decades, but this is the first time I seen a clip of him.
Each word he spoke is exactly how I live and I am always grateful throughout the day for anything that catches my eye.
The LIST is something I have done so many times. This is how I met my husband. After two horrible marriages when I believed that that was all I can get, I turned my life around. I made a list…a very long one of what I wanted in a husband. It took weeks to write this list and I slept with it under my bed so my subconscious energy could seep into it. Then on the other side was what I will give in return…another long list.
Viola! There he was. A man never expected to walk into my life 22 years ago and the love still grows.
The most important part I feel is the spiritual part. I believe there is a higher being I personally call God. Whenever I want things to happen in my life it is always connected to God. I tell my clients that is the “battery pack” to change things. lol
Thank you so much for this awesome post.
Donna
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Dr. Erica Goodstone Reply:
July 12th, 2012 at 12:44 am
Donna,
You are reminding me that I made a list of what I wanted in a partner, many years ago, and I met my husband who really had many of those qualities. But I had not written the other list, what I will give. That would have clarified something that I have only come to understand in the last few years as I continue on my spiritual path.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Dr. Erica Goodstone recently posted..Discover the Gift of Giving
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July 12th, 2012 at 6:04 am
Dr. Erica, this is so empowering!
Well put! I have built my business surrounding helping others daily. I love just making it part of my lifestyle and showing others to accomplish the same.
If we live a life of giving the prosperity will be given to use. Just try it by making it a heart felt search to find just one person a day to give of yourself in away to instill hope. Watch what happens in your life. The opportunities and prosperity will manifest beyond your imagination. Just do it based on it will make you feel good.
Thank you Dr. Erica for giving us readers more than we expected.
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
William,
I know you are living what you are talking about – giving freely without some immediate agenda. You have also lived that way and are reaping the rewards which allows you to give even more.
I have personally discovered that giving freely, without expectation, does bring me so many wonderful and unexpected responses from others. And part of that giving is also giving to myself, saying “No” when something does not feel in alignment with my needs, desires and purpose. I do find it amazing how the world seems to adjust to my clarity about what I need and want for myself, as long as I am freely giving my gifts to others.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
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July 13th, 2012 at 5:29 am
Dr. Erica,
This is a great read on giving! I really enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing!
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Dr. Erica Goodstone Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Gary,
We can all benefit from truly understanding and practicing giving freely, willingly with no expectation of immediate reward.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Dr. Erica Goodstone recently posted..Discover the Gift of Giving
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July 14th, 2012 at 9:12 am
Hi Dr Erica,
you have raised some very important questions here. It is so true nowadays that we don’t give enough importance to nurturing ourselves, we are like caught up in worries and lots of work and we don’t think enough about these things. Giving can be such a powerful act and it is so true that the Universe responds to this.
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
Mariella,
I keep experiencing this phenomenon. The more I am willing to give to others, the greater responses and connections I receive. It all comes back to me in unexpected and delightful ways. And, I always have to also give to myself so that I feel full and can give freely from my own abundance.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
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July 14th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
Dr. Erica, I learned so much from Napoleon Hill. Thanks for phrasing giving the context of love. Since, per Gibran, work is ‘love made manifest’, giving fits into love and work.
I recently came across martial artist Bruce Lee’s major definite purpose, written before he ever became famous. I’ll share it for you and your readers:
My Chief Personal Aim In Life
I, Bruce Lee, will be the highest paid Oriental superstar in the United States. In return I will give the most exciting performances and render the best of quality in the capacity of an actor. Starting in 1970, I will achieve world fame and from then onward till the end of 1980 I will have in my possession the sum of $10,000,000—then I will live the way I please and achieve inner harmony and happiness.
Bruce Lee
1969
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Dr. Erica Goodstone Reply:
July 14th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
Steve,
Thank you so much for sharing this personal quote from Bruce Lee. What an example of the power of having a clear and stated purpose along with a total willingness to give his best. He is not stating that he will give something specific that he later may or may not want to give. His goal was to give the best that he has to offer and in exchange he will receive the financial independence he desires.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Dr. Erica Goodstone recently posted..Discover the Gift of Giving
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July 15th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
Thanks for a great post, Erica. One of my favorite quotes is from Caroline Myss, “Intention without action is useless.” Fits right in with Napoleon Hill’s teachings. In order to receive, one must give. It’s the give and take, the yin and yang. In physics when you create a void (give), something must fill it (receive). It’s all about the energy.
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
July 17th, 2012 at 1:20 am
Charlene,
You bring up a good point. But the converse is also true. You need to receive and you will be given. But if you keep receiving, somehow you will be forced to give or something may be taken from you.
The law of attraction, giving and receiving, and supply is quite powerful.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
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July 16th, 2012 at 4:35 am
Dr. Eric,
I learned so much from going through Think and Grow Rich several times writing the lessons I learned from each chapter. That was a couple years ago, but it really made me think about what I was gleaning from each chapter. I truly believe in the truth of reaping what you sow and what goes around comes round. And I love the quote from Zig “You can have everything in life that you want if you just give enough other people what they want.”
Thank you so much for the inspiring post!
Lynn
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Dr. Erica Goodstone Reply:
July 17th, 2012 at 1:17 am
Lynn,
I have also read Think and Grow Rich many times and I listened to the audio recording of it many times. I have also been involved in a mastermind focused on Wallace D Wattles book, The Science of Getting Rich, as well as a course based upon The Abundance Book by John Randolph Price.
The bottom line is to give freely, not to have a sense that you NEED anything in return from anyone or any situation. Trust in the source, God, your inner presence, and all will be given to you. The more you give freely the more you have.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Dr. Erica Goodstone recently posted..Discover the Gift of Giving
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July 18th, 2012 at 6:15 am
I agree that in order to receive we must be ready to give. Give to others freely is something we should live by. We should not expect anything in return and trust in what the world has to offer.
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
July 19th, 2012 at 12:38 am
Jeffrey,
Life works so much better when we feel free to give, knowing that we don’t have to worry, we will receive. So many of us are afraid to give because they are afraid of losing or not getting their fair share. But that way of thinking prevents the abundance that is possible.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
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July 19th, 2012 at 7:12 pm
Hello Erica, Thanks for this post. At one time I had a lot of Napoleon Hill material and was a big fan. I’m glad for this reminder of his powerful message. I realized in reading your post that I had always interpreted the piece about giving to be “what are you willing to sacrifice” to get what you want. I like your interpretation a lot better…it is very similar to Gandhi’s famous quote…”be the change you want to see in the world.”
Thanks again. Celeste
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Dr. Goodstone Reply:
August 18th, 2012 at 10:51 pm
Celeste,
I thought I had responded to your comment and today I discovered I had not. I agree that we need to be and become the change we want. So many of us complain when others don’t meet our expectations, but we do not realize we are not meeting theirs as well. Be the one to start now and the whole world will seem to change around you.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
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