Congressman John Campbell takes to the floor to fight the Death Tax

Lost and Found: Those who have been found should seek the lost http://ping.fm/UJNRt

2009 Mutual of Omaha (Duel in the Pool)
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JM GetMoore Insurance and Financial Services: Estate Planning Specialist
Video: "Death Tax,"--Estate Tax Debate http://ping.fm/j2D9U

"Death Tax,"-- Estate Tax Debate

JM GetMoore Insurance and Financial Services: Estate Planning specialist

Video: Estate Tax Debate

IRS Announces Increased Longterm Care Premium Deductibility for 2010: http://ping.fm/zQpKn

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Borrowed knowledge is ignorance. Experienced truth makes you not knowledgeable,
but humble. The more you know it,
the less you claim to know it.
----Osho

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What will it take to achieve your goals? Try these financial calculators
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My Firm's recommended readings: One of these books could change your life http://ping.fm/Guirw

A business has a 50/50 chance of surviving five or more years http://ping.fm/vcg6v

Annuity: Great SAFE vehicle to accumulate cash, offers financial peace of mind, no stock market volatility and tax-deferred growth on your money http://ping.fm/Q7sPh

The Simplified Employee Pension plan (SEP), is easy to establish, inexpensive to administer and may be ideal for a business owner http://ping.fm/loCEl

Don't forget to listen to our Firm's internet radio show entitled "It's Your Business" this Saturday at 11:00am, Episode #3: http://ping.fm/4QNNf

The Interview Exercise--sample outline: helps you envision the kind of company you want (and don't want) http://ping.fm/bxBWX

creating the company you want http://ping.fm/ZBNBs

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It's Your Business: Episode#2: referral gathering tips, internet marketing and business strategies, etc. Nov. 14, 11am central time http://ping.fm/Yblmd

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Saving for retirement during a recession is not simple, but the Federal Savings Credit makes it a bit easier for lower income families http://ping.fm/boKXJ

Make your time count. One thing you cannot recycle is wasted time.------Anonymous

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Giving while you're Living. Tax-free gifts and lifetime gift-tax credit http://ping.fm/a5AWy

Floogiel's Halloween

Make a Smilebox slideshow

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Pancreatic Cancer Video Postcard: http://ping.fm/JCvYT help the fight against Pancreatic Cancer

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understanding insurance is very complicated and something one usually doesn't like to think about; when that time comes, make sure to rely on a professional you trust http://ping.fm/kavZf

communicate with your top clients 5 times a year by giving them a gift that makes them think of you 12 times a year http://ping.fm/wXikL

communicate with your top clients 5 times a year by giving them a gift that makes them think of you 12 times a year. http://ping.fm/pqHXc

Invest, don't spend. There should be a 10-20% gap between earning and spending. Clip your credit cards in half and make a few investments--with professional guidance

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http://ping.fm/vhn65?&id=2998546 God knows our burdens and our croses, those things that hurt, our trials and losses, he cares for every soul that cries, god wipes the tears from weeping eyes.--Brandt

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giving while you're living---learn how, with careful planning, gifting can minimize potential estate taxes and limit federal gift tax. http://ping.fm/vI3Us

prayer without expectancy is unbelief in disguise. http://ping.fm/NnbYx

If you know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11

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if cancer has hit home and you need support, just shoot me an email. http://ping.fm/PxWTX

http://ping.fm/m8xpr I am so thankful for critical illness insurance. Protect yourself and family. http://ping.fm/LtWcX

What is a SEP IRA? http://ping.fm/JEy5v Let the experts set it up. http://ping.fm/GO7aR

Disability insurance is so important. When an illness strikes, you have to make sure you've got an income coming in. Please protect yourself.
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Cancer medication is EXPENSIVE and not covered by most insurance. Critical Illness insurance can help. I know from personal experience. Don't wait until it's too late.
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Protect yourself and loved ones with insurance protection. Trust me, from personal experience, it helps out. God bless all.
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Make sure you and your loved ones are protected. Our days on earth oProtect yourself and your loved ones.

Choosing a Life Insurance Agent.
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Choosing a Life Insurance Agent

Do away with whatever image of you have of life insurance agents, and think of them as a guide, someone who can walk you through a complicated set of decisions that could affect the lives of your loved ones when you're no longer there for them.

"Life insurance is a complex product," noted Jack Dolan, a spokesman for the American Council of Life Insurance. "An agent can be very helpful in advising you. An agent can help you find the policy that meets your needs today and in the future."

Insurance agents know which kinds of life insurance are right for a young family just starting out, which work as a savings vehicle, which could be useful in retirement planning or estate planning.

"Life insurance has lots of functions. An agent can lay that all out for you," Dolan said.
In other words, an agent can save you lots of time you'd spend researching the issue on your own. He can serve as your guide now, and help you map your insurance needs in years to come as your situation changes. He can help you find a policy you can afford, and he can prevent you from making mistakes that could be very painful for your beneficiaries after your death, such as not having the right kind or amount of insurance.

How do you select an agent to work with? Begin by asking friends, relatives and neighbors if they would recommend their life insurance agent. Most people are happy to recommend a professional whose service they have been pleased with. Compile a list of three or four agents that you'd be interested in working with, based on personal recommendations.

You can also utilize http://lifeinsurance.net's Agent Locator to find an agent near you. Just enter your three-digit area code to view a listing of local agents, including address, phone, e-mail, and a complete profile of each agency. Next, talk to each agent on your list. Ask what products they specialize in, who their typical client is, what insurers they represent, how long they have been in business, what services they offer, and any other concerns you might have. While you're getting information about their practice, get a feel for how you would get along with each person in a professional relationship. After all, you're buying life insurance for the long haul, and you will have to share intimate details about your life, finances and plans with your insurance agent. (And a good agent will ask you about those issues before trying to sell you any policy.) Pick someone you are comfortable dealing with and someone who can translate insurance-speak into language you understand.

Insurance agents can earn a number of professional designations, such as Chartered Life Underwriter(CLU). Some have training in financial planning as well as insurance, and have earned designations such as Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) or Certified Financial Planner (CFP). These advanced studies take several years to complete, and such designations are one indication the agent is serious about his job and up to date on issues in insurance and financial planning, Dolan said. And those who use the designation are often required to follow a code of conduct. You may want to make one of those designations a requirement for the agent you choose.

All insurance agents are licensed by the states they do business in, and an agent should be willing to provide information about that license. Check with regulators to make sure the agent has the proper licenses and has not been disciplined. You can call your state insurance commission or access the department's Web page by clicking on your state on this link through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners: (http://www.naic.org/consumer/state/usamap.htm).
Agents who sell variable life insurance products must also be registered with the National Association of Securities Dealers. You can check with the NASD (http://www.nasdr.com/2000.htm) for information about the firm's registration.

Remember, a good agent not only sells insurance; he helps guide his clients through the sometimes complex maze of choices associated with term, whole life, universal life, variable life and other life insurance options. And once he makes the sale, he will continue to service the client, including performing periodic "insurance checkups" to make sure the policy he sold you a few years ago still meets your needs.

There is no better time to re-evaluate your current situation than the present. We here at JM GetMoore Insurance & Financial Services L.L.C. are committed to helping our clients through all of life’s uncertainties. Contact our office at (956) 928-1811 or by e-mail: jeff@getmooreinsurance.com for a free no cost consultation. You can also visit our website at http://www.getmooreinsurance.com to read some more insightful articles or listen to our collection of audio presentations.

astragulus is a helpful immune regulating herb.
astragulus can help return cancer patients to a more normal state of immune function. http://ping.fm/zRS64

Organizations often must change in order to ensure survival. Businesses should plan, prepare now for when the economy turns later. http://ping.fm/MtfxN

What is Cancer? What Causes Cancer?
Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by out-of-control cell growth. http://ping.fm/VZniE

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When traveling into Mexico for just a few hours or for several days, the following may help you have a safe, smooth visit.
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Cancer of the pancreas can develop when cells that make up the pancreas grow out of control. These cells can form cancerous tumors, which can affect how the pancreas normally works. The exocrine and endocrine cells of the pancreas can form tumors.

Cancer of the pancreas can develop when cells that make up the pancreas grow out of control. These cells can form cancerous tumors, which can affect how the pancreas normally works. Both the exocrine and endocrine cells of the pancreas can form tumors. Get checked!

Is Grandma’s Gift Costing Your Child College Financial Aid? http://ping.fm/vAyXu

A 35-year old worker is six times more likely to become disabled than die before he or she reaches age 65. http://ping.fm/Qb5sz

almost 20% of people ages 15-64 report some level of disability. 8.7% severe. 10% non-severe. http://www.getmooreinsurance.com/userFiles/Individual_Disability_Insurance.pdf

Research shows a rather consistent, positive relationship between the extent of planning activities and the performance of small businesses. http://ping.fm/wEsNQ

Welcome letter from our Firm: JM GetMoore Insurance and Financial Services L.L.C. http://ping.fm/ssmk6

Wealth is not reserved for a select few. Everyone deserves to be wealthy. We all possess the tools to make lots of money. The chances of becoming wealthy are better than you think.

Deferred Compensation Plans for Business Owners.
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pancreatic cancer survival rates have been improving from decade to decade, but the disease is still considered largely incurable. Support early detection. http://ping.fm/5VQ8v

Do you have life insurance? The risk of disability is greater than the risk of premature death. http://ping.fm/CQTN7

ezine article expert author. Latest article published. Which Life Insurance Plan is the Best Fit? http://ping.fm/iee4X?&id=2702374

For a couple turning 65, there is a 70% chance that one of them will need long-term care.*Wall Street Journal* http://www.getmooreinsurance.com/serviceDetail.php?id=2

Financial Fitness and Planning for Retirement Worksheets. http://ping.fm/SS4WX

Six Insurance Policies You Should Avoid. http://ping.fm/KhBnp

experts suggest if you own a life insurance policy it should pay a benefit equal to 7 to 10 times your annual income. You might be higher or lower depending on your situation. http://ping.fm/iMXlN

probability of losing a key employee is 74% greater than fire loss, flood, and most acts of god. http://www.getmooreinsurance.com/

the benefit of targeting an industry niche. http://ping.fm/AdosJ

Don't give Uncle Sam a penny more than you need to in taxes. After all, who knows how to better spend your hard-earned money.. you, or the government? http://ping.fm/UpY85

when starting a business, keep your eyes open—not to the possibility of failure, but to the very real demands of running your own business. http://ping.fm/SGbab

Make 2009 and 2010 record years. Tip #1, "Make Room to Grow." http://ping.fm/6pzSo

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer? You are not alone in this fight. We support this fight with you. http://ping.fm/1AjEL

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Using life insurance to fund a special-needs trust can help parents care for their physically or mentally challenged child into adulthood. http://ping.fm/5oNry

I hope everyone does their part to support the fight against cancer. We can change the world, one person at a time. http://ping.fm/cR7Ro

I will appear on the "Regis and Kelly" morning national television show tomorrow morning, Friday the 23rd of July on ABC. I am the winner of the prize giveaway. Tune in and check it out!

Every 26 seconds someone suffers a coronary event. Every 45 seconds someone suffers a stroke. About 1.4 million new cancer cases were diagnosed in 2008. http://ping.fm/F8kaB

Suffering a major Critical Illness (ex. cancer) can have a devastating affect on you and your family. What's covered? What's not covered? http://ping.fm/MvFZ4

Learn about Pancreatic Cancer, courtesy of JM GetMoore Insurance & Financial. Order a FREE pancreatic cancer education packet http://ping.fm/4mvhw

People are living longer today. If you are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, there is a possibility you won't be able to afford the treatments recommended and needed. http://ping.fm/dLKqc

Life insurance can address a variety of needs, like a tax-advantaged special-needs trust. Review your plan regularly. http://ping.fm/8ZAR2

Tips for parents. Should College Kids Have Credit Cards? http://ping.fm/7PLMf

Pancreatic cancer spreads rapidly and is seldom detected early, which is a major reason it's a leading cause of cancer death. Get Checked!http://ping.fm/0RgHn

Each year in the U.S., about 42,470 people are diagnosed Pancreatic cancer, and 35,240 die from the disease. Less than 5 percent of people are still alive five years after diagnosis.

Is your business properly positioned to survive?
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Your most important assest is YOUR ability to earn an income. What would you do if you LOST that?
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Priorities your long-term goals and set the right course to reach them. http://ping.fm/QcFbA

Is a Roth 401(k) right for you? http://ping.fm/7kvnj

Cancer has hit home this time. Support all cancer causes, such as "Birdies for Breast Cancer."
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Support your local Food Bank: We do! "Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope!" http://ping.fm/pThJd

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"You are who you are, not what you do!"---------Remember, "In the end, you can't take nothing with you!

Life Insurance: How Much Is Enough?

Sometimes people buy life insurance before performing a financial needs analysis. they might choose an amount that seems comfortable, without actually taking into account all the potential expenses their families might face in the event of an untimely death. If they did make an objective assessment of the possible economic consequences, they would be doing what is called a financial needs analysis.

In order to determine how much cash is needed following the death fo a spouse, take a look at these potential cash needs and assign a dollar amount to each:

1. IMMEDIATE MONEY FUND. This includes the total cost of possible medical and hospital expenses, outstanding bills, burial costs, and attorney/executor fees.
2. DEBT LIQUIDATION. Your debt may be in the form of credit card bills, school and auto loans, unpaid notes, outstanding bills, etc.
3. EMERGENCY FUND. Unexpected bills not readily payable from current income could included major home and car repairs, or even medical emergencies.
4. MORTGAGE/RENT PAYMENT FUND. How much would you need to pay off your mortgage or provide for at least ten years' house or apartment rent should one spouse die?
5. CHILD/HOME CARE FUND. Expenses may be created as a result of the death of a spouse who had been performing child and/or home care duties; be sure to estimate the cost of hired help needed to substitute your spouse's duties.
6. EDUCATION FUND. Be sure to include the cost of funding a four year undergraduate education or comparable vocational training for your children.

The steps noted above are a simple way for a family to figure out how much life insurance is really needed. Circumstances vary from person to person and from family to family. Analyzing your financial needs in detail is an important step toward determining the right coverage for you and your family.

We here at JM GetMoore Insurance & Financial Services have some ideas regarding this subject. Contact us at (956) 928-1811 for more information.

Business Tips For Small Business Owners

We have worked with small business owners in the McAllen area for over 10 years. We see many trends that are having dramatic impacts on the way small business owners are rethinking their business retirement plans. In a series of articles we are going to discuss these trends, their impact and some possible solutions.

Trend:

Business owners looses a key employee after 30 years of service.

Impact:

Sudden loss of income for the business

Owner has to re-think his retirement

Owner has to suddenly cancel the long-awaited vacation

Owner's valuable time loss for re-hiring and re-training

Confusion and loss of production from other employees

Increased stress among yourself, your family and other

employees.

Possibilities:

Sell the business

Bring in family members to help out

Re-organize and re-structure with under-qualified existing

employees

Solution:

Key Employee Insurance

Most small business owners do not realize the financial impact that the sudden loss or disability of a key employee can have on their business. For more information on how to protect your business contact Jeff Moore at (956) 928-1811 or jeff@getmooreinsurance.com

The Benefit of Targeting an Industry Niche

Targeting an industry niche is a very effective, yet underutilized, marketing strategy in any service industry. Let’s start with my definition of targeting an industry niche: Targeting an industry niche is positioning yourself as an expert in a target industry as it relates to your products or services, and then leveraging that expertise and reputation with appropriate marketing techniques so people in the target industry will think of you first –and refer you first. Marketing is all the activity that makes the sale possible. Marketing makes people aware of your product or service and puts them in a position to meet you so the sale becomes possible. Marketing is what gets you to the client’s door in the best possible light.

Remember the often repeated statement ‘Birds of a feather flock together.’ People associate and communicate with other people like themselves. For instance, people in the same type of business or profession join together in an association. The advantage is that by segmenting your marketing into niches in this way, you can reach out to prospects that associate and communicate with each other.

There are at least three compelling reasons for targeting an industry niche:

1. Word of mouth is easier to create because people within industry niches have specific formal and informal ways of communicating with other – conferences, newsletters, trade publications, industry associations, etc.

2. Referrals are easier to obtain. People within industries usually have many friends and colleagues to whom they can refer you. When they know you are concentrating your efforts on their industry, they are usually more willing to help you extend your influence.

3. Cold calling within an industry niche is usually a much warmer proposition. Once your reputation is established, there’s a good chance your prospect may have heard of you. If she doesn’t know you, it’s still easier to warm up the call because you know her challenges, speak her language, are an expert in her industry and you truly have more value to bring to her than someone with no specialty.

Practicing these principles of niche marketing is like trying to move into a different lane while waiting at a traffic light. If you begin to inch over, trying to squeeze your car into the small space between neighboring vehicles, you may not get in. However, if you just catch the eye of the driver of the car you wish to cut in front of, he or she will almost always wave you in. Establish some recognition, and you’ll be let in. The same is true in sales. If people have heard of you, even if they’re not sure from where they heard it, you can get past the gatekeeper and your voice mail messages get returned. A widespread reputation overcomes barriers.

Targeting an industry niche is all about added value. When you target an industry niche, both your perceived and actual value increases. When you get to know an industry, you can bring more value to the relationship with a new prospect more quickly than if you know little about his or her industry. When you target an industry niche, reputation is everything, so you need to go the extra mile. And you can’t burn bridges, because word-of-mouth spreads faster within specific industries. Every transaction, every encounter, has to be handled with the utmost professionalism. Within the niche, everyone is always a prospect, at least in the sense of helping you build your reputation. If a company or individual doesn’t fit your profile, you still must maintain an attitude of service. Even people in your target industry who aren’t prospects should be treated with professionalism and dignity.

There is no better time to re-evaluate your current situation than the present. Jeff Moore is president of JM GetMoore Insurance & Financial Services L.L.C. He can be reached at
(956) 928-1811 or by e-mail: jeff@getmooreinsurance.com. Don't forget to visit his website http://www.getmooreinsurance.com for further information as well as read some insightful articles.

Salary Continuation Plans For Business Owners

A business owner may be confronted with a major problem if either they or one of their key people ever become disabled. Most company group disability plans only replace 60% of the covered person’s salary (and usually up to a maximum of $5,000) and do not include bonus payments. Not only would losing 40% or more of one’s income be a crisis, but also many business owners pay themselves a salary and then supplement it with quarterly or yearly bonuses based on company profits. These supplemental payments, as well as salary above your group limits, are not included under group disability plans.
Occasionally, some business owners feel that if they were disabled, the business could just continue to pay their salary or pass on profit payments when needed. However, this poses two problems. First, few businesses can afford to pay two people for the same job. And even if they could, the IRS says that for payments to be considered salary, they must be made for providing services for the business. Otherwise, payments must be considered dividends and dividends are not tax deductible. That’s a problem!
Is there a better way? Yes! The IRS allows a business to establish a wage continuation plan for the benefit of the owner and if desired, key people whom the owner wants to include. These people can be chosen at will, and can be added or deleted, but the plan must be established before a disability occurs. The plan is initiated by creating a company resolution and future benefit payments can then be regarded as salary – not dividends.
Interested in more details…possibly a sample resolution to review? Disability is a serious matter. And having a resolution in place is an easy remedy to a serious problem.

JM GetMoore Insurance and Financial Services: The Greater Cause

JM GetMoore Insurance and Financial Services: The Greater Cause

6 Ideas That Will Make 2009 a Record Year

Are you looking for some inspiration for your business plan? Listed below are seven action items that will help you make 2009 a record year…

1) Make a Commitment to Business Planning
If you want to have a record year in 2009, you should make a commitment to business planning (an ongoing activity) rather than just writing a business plan (a one-time event). Business planning is a process that consists of developing, monitoring and adjusting a strategy for your business. When you enter into business planning mode, it’s like going up in a helicopter and looking down on your business. This high above view allows you to see the forest down below. Most people spend the vast majority of their time working on the tactical aspects of their business and not the strategic. Here’s a tip: make time for planning by building strategy sessions into your calendar.

2) Organize Your Team around Functions
Your business has certain core functions that must be performed (marketing, portfolio analysis, client service, etc.). When you organize around function, you are basically assigning each function to one or more individuals. This is the best way to achieve true togetherness on a team. The alternative (which is the model used by many people) is to organize around products or services (managed money, retirement plans, insurance, etc.). The biggest flaw with this model is that the people who make up the team are responsible for performing all of the core functions; this cannot be done. The end result is often a group of people who are operating their own business (ineffectively) instead of belonging to a single, cohesive practice.

3) Make Room to Grow
If you want your business to grow faster, it must have room to grow. In order to grow your business, you need to have time to market. You must also have time to process the new clients and service the ones you have. Here’s a tip: market data is more important than product data. Marketing, which is the engine that drives your business, is a function that requires you to be proactive. You create room to grow by minimizing the barriers that are keeping your business from achieving its full potential. This includes having too many clients, trying to be all things to all people, and asking the wrong people to perform certain functions. The bottom line is that you have to have some “running room” if you want to increase the growth rate of your revenue line.

4) Develop a Professional Brochure
If you want to be successful in attracting new clients, you need to position yourself as someone who is serious about serving your ideal market. The best way to do this is to invest in a professional brochure for your business. Once you have developed your brochure, the first thing you should do is get several copies into the hands of your key clients and centers of influence – anyone who is in a position to refer you the types of clients you should be working with.

5) Implement a Seminar Campaign
After all these years, seminars are still one of the most effective ways to attract new business. Keeping this in mind, you have to be creative if you want to stand out from the crowd. For starters, try calling them something else like workshops, symposiums, briefings, etc. Link your topics to target markets that you are trying to attract. Finally, select unique venues. Rather than using the same old hotel, try a local art gallery, museum or historical property. Here’s a tip: hold quarterly seminars and invite appropriate clients and prospects. Mail out wedding style invitations and use a caller to follow up. This will be much easier and more effective than straight cold calling.

6) Implement a “Four Seasons” Client Appreciation Campaign
Many people view their marketing seminars and client appreciation events as one in the same. You will achieve better results (and avoid potential conflicts of interest) if you keep them separate. A client appreciation event should be just that. This should be an event that you set up as a way to appreciate those who appreciate you. You should appreciate and thank your clients for their loyalty and trust in doing business with you. Make these appreciation events annual traditions and try, if possible, to implement an event during each of the four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn. Match client invitation list to event type and encourage clients to bring friends and family.

Remember that it takes money to make money. Treat your business like a real business. If you want your business to grow faster you should plow some of your profits back into making it grow. There is probably no better investment you can make than to fund the future growth of your own business. If you don’t believe that, it may be time to retire or embark on a new career.

There is no better time to re-evaluate your current situation than the present. Jeff Moore is president of JM GetMoore Insurance & Financial Services L.L.C. He can be reached at (956) 928-1811 or by e-mail: jeff@getmooreinsurance.com

Survival of the Fittest

The survival of the fittest is the ageless law of nature. But, the fittest are rarely the strong.

The fittest are those endowed with the qualifications for adaptation,

the ability to accept the inevitable and conform to the unavoidable

and to harmonize with existing or changing conditions.

Dave E. Smalley

Things We Can't Control

Things We Can't Control

The idea of trusting the universe is a popular one these days, but many of us don’t know what this really means and we often have a hard time doing it. This is partly because the story of humankind is most often presented as a story about struggle, control, and survival, instead of one of trust and collaboration with the universe. Yet, in truth, we need to adhere to both ideas in this life.

On the one hand, there is much to be said about exerting control over our environment. We created shelter to protect ourselves from the elements. We hunted for animals and invented agriculture to feed ourselves. We built social infrastructures to protect ourselves and create community. This is how we survive and grow as a civilization. However, it is also clear that there are plenty of things that we cannot control, no matter how hard we try, and we often receive support from an unseen force – a universe that provides us with what we cannot provide for ourselves.

It is a good idea to take responsibility for the things in life that we can control or create. We work so we can feed, clothe, and shelter our loved ones and ourselves. We manifest our dreams and visions in physical form with hard work and forethought. But at a certain point, when have done all that we can, we must let go and allow the universe to take over. This requires trust. It requires a trust that runs deeper than just expecting things to turn out the way we want them to. Sometimes they will, and sometimes they won’t. We develop equanimity and grace as we learn to trust that, with the guiding hand of the universe, life will unfold exactly the way it should. We are engaged in an ongoing relationship with a universe that responds to our thoughts and actions.

The Greater Cause

The Greater Cause

Some Good Reasons for Doing Good

With all that takes place in our lives, it can sometimes be easy to overlook the fact that we’re part of something greater than ourselves—a collective consciousness, the Universe, a greater cause. Because of our tendency to forget this, we might make decisions in our lives that don’t reflect that responsibility that comes with this belonging. All too often, we focus just on the short-term, tangible gain to ourselves without worrying about its consequences. Other times, we may discard the greater cause because it seems like “hard work.” The challenge is to expand our minds so that we transcend the distinction between self and others, so we are aware of how our choices and actions can impact a greater cause.

Contributing to the greater cause doesn’t have to be all about self-sacrifice. For example, if you plant a tree in a community space, its shelter will cool and protect you as well as your neighbors. Or, your reward might be in the form of the beauty that you now see in that space or the sincere smiles of appreciation from neighbors. When you serve the greater cause you also serve your greater good. There is nothing that you cannot do for your highest good that will not benefit the good of all. For example, saying no to a relationship that isn’t right for you not only benefits you but serves the greater good of the other person that you are honoring with your honesty. Saying yes to your dream job not only fulfills you but also serves the people that will benefit from your enthusiasm and productivity.

When you know you are serving a greater cause, there is little room for fear and doubt. You know that what you do will benefit others, so there is no way the universe is not going to support your efforts - even if sometimes it may not look that way. Serving the greater cause allows you to live from the space of your greatness. When you know that what you do can serve a greater cause, you are aware of your power and ability to influence and create change in this world.

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