There was a princess once...

There was a little princess, once, who lived not very long ago. She was a good princess who was talented and very beautiful. Her father had entrusted her with a brilliant flame she carried with her everywhere she went. All the kingdom admired and adored her and her flame...

In the middle of the night, her precious flame was stolen and smothered and the princess was thrown into the kingdom's dungeon. The poor, little princess was left alone and scared in the dark. Afraid that someone would recognize her without her lost flame, she tore her dress into rags, ratted her hair and smeared her face with mud. The other prisoners began to taunt and hiss at her and she began to believe the things they said were true...

One day, the King came looking for his daughter amongst the foul-mouthed prisoners. When the little princess heard of his arrival, she hid herself because she was embarrassed of what she had (or had not) become. From that day forward, she vowed to herself that she would never give up until she had found a way to reignite the flame and become the queen she was destined to be!

Have you ever noticed how brainwashed we are to stay in our poverty?

It seems we are literally programed at a young age to stay confined in tight little dungeons called "the money game". Meanwhile, a small percentage of us continue to monopolize all the success and prosperity. We limit ourselves. We are essentially like eagles who have clipped their own wings and therefore have sabotaged their great potential.

Think about it... You've probably heard most of these sayings:

• "Money doesn't grow on trees"


• "A bad penny"


• "Filthy rich"


• "Money is the root of all evil"


• "Break the bank"


• "Another day, another dollar"


• "The rich get richer and the poor get poorer"


• "The idle rich"

...Honestly the list could go on and on!

I was exhausted by a conversation that took place in my own home. Someone very dear to me proudly announced his declaration to stay at a $37,000 yearly income. I understood his concern; which was that the more successful he got in a business or company, the more demands on his time. Unfortunately, his logic was skewed. He had painted a picture in his mind of what it meant to be wealthy. Stressed, grumpy, overworked, selfish...

I fear this is a similar perspective on which most people found their beliefs. (Otherwise, more of us would be rich!) They appear to humble themselves in their poverty; yet, in their pride they are shortchanging not only themselves but God and others by withholding their potential to do much more good in the world! I am reminded of a wonderful quote:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people wont feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." (Quoted by Nelson Mandela, Marianne Williamson -A Return to Love)

It saddens me that so many of us have heard this quote and understood it yet we feed on the negativity we create for ourselves and are,therefore, unwilling to sacrifice what mistakenly makes us feel comfortable!

What my friend didn't understand is that money doesn't have to equal time, and values do not have to be sacrificed in order to become wealthy. These are old beliefs that reek of self deprivation and mediocrity. Some of the best people I know had to establish themselves beyond "financially secure" before they could become the people they became. Many great things were done by poor people; and many more were done by those that could afford to serve.

I made a covenant with an awkward little girl, once, that I would no longer repress her greatness and her light. There was a lot to be overcome...and a lot, still, that has to be uncovered. Searching for a stolen self-worth on a journey of healing is no easy task. However, I have committed to this journey, not only for the benefit of the little girl, but for the benefit of the world! There was a princess once...who is on her way to becoming a queen!

(check out my work at http://www.meloniepacker.com/)