How many people that you know are "professional victims?" You bump into them in the supermarket and for the next half hour they keep you a captive audience listening to them talk about their aches and pains, and how difficult life is for them. Their families don´t understand them, their work is not fulfilling, and they hate the place they are living. Sound familiar?

These people are experiencing the results of the Law of Cause and Effect. And, they do not understand, nor do they wish to understand that they can take charge of their lives by taking charge of who they are, rather than continuing to be a bystander in the process.

The Law of Cause and Effect can pertain to long-term or short-term outcomes, depending on our thoughts and actions. As we begin to understand the Universal Laws, we can also begin to see how our thoughts and actions manifest in the physcial world.

When we harm another by word, thought or deed, Karma comes into effect. Karma is another word for effect. It is the natural balance in the physical world.

As a person grows on a spiritual level, Karma tends to happen much more quickly.. perhaps because those who are working toward spiritual growth recognize Karma in action.

We may not be able to change events that happen in our lives, but we do have the free will and freedom of choice to choose right action or wrong action.
We can control our reaction to circumstances, and act in a positive manner, rather than reacting with anger, fear, or anxiety.

While these reactions are normal and human, if perpetuated on a daily basis, they can consume our minds, and actually draw more circumstances that cause these feelings our way.

Forgiveness is a wonderful way to work with The Law of Cause and Effect. When we learn to forgive ourselves, let go of old grudges and grievances, and heal old wounds, we begin to open ourselves up to the very positive lessons that the Law of Cause and Effect can offer us.

The Universal Law of Abundance

I grew up with poverty consciousness. My mother grew up with poverty consciousness, as did my father. So, during my formative years, I was constantly told that "We don´t have enough."

Actually, this was not a true statement. My mother and father both worked. They owned a home and two vehicles and there was always plenty of food on the table.
But, when my mother wanted a new dress or something special, she always came up with the excuse, "We don´t have enough."

Thinking back, I realize that she felt that she did not deserve something pretty for herself if there were bills to pay. So, she went through her life denying herself any kind of luxuries. This trickled over into my life also. I wore hand-me-downs, and played with toys from rummage sales.

Now, there is nothing wrong with that, except that it left an imprint on me that has carried over into my adult life.

I didn´t realize how much it had affected me until one day my youngest son, who is now 20 brought me home a rather extravagent Mother´s Day present. The first words out of my mouth were "But, you don´t have enough for that."

He smiled and said to me.. "You always say that. You made sure that all of us kids had what we needed, but you never got anything nice for yourself."

Wow, that one hit home! I had become my mother.

I had given everything I had to my children when they were growing up, and now that they were reciprocating I was feeling guilty. I was actually blocking my own abundance.

Inherent in the Law of Abundance is the principle of compensation. This principle states that for everything given there shall be a return. When a gift is given freely and from the heart, the return is tenfold.

By not giving to myself as freely and easily as I did to my children, I was setting up a cycle of deprivation. I had overcompensated with my own children because of my own childhood lack, and in the process had still continued on with the mantra.. "We don´t have enough," and it still applied to me.

Breaking this pattern of poverty consciousness is not easy. This does not mean that we should go out and over extend our limits. But, it does mean that we can find "enough" to treat ourselves to those things in life that make us feel good about who we are, without feeling guilty. And, we also have to allow those who we have helped in the past to return the favor if they feel so inclined.

The principle of compensation had caught up with me and now my children were acting upon that principle. This was a part of their spiritual growth as well as mine. Now, I simply say "Thank-You," with a heartfelt hug and kiss.