Updated insider information by Chellie Campbell, author of “The Wealthy Spirit: Daily Affirmations for Financial Stress Reduction”

52 – February 21

“I believe that people who work twelve hours a day should go home with bigger loaves of bread than people who work eight.”—Michael Levine

No, no, I disagree! I enjoyed a lot of Michael Levine’s Lessons at the Halfway Point, but this one I take exception to. Success cannot be a matter of how many hours of the day you work. At some point—namely twenty-four—we run out of hours. What then?

Late one evening in the fall of 1985, I was hard at work with running the business management firm I co-owned with two attorneys. We shared office space, and Merv, one of the partners, was working late that night, too. He came by my desk to say good night and I looked up at him in frustration. “There’s so much to do!” I exclaimed. “I could work every hour in the day and never get it all done!”

“That’s right, Chellie,” he said, “Work will expand to fill the time you’re willing to devote to it. At some point, you just have to say, ‘That’s enough’ and go home.”

I thought about that many times in the next few years as I tried to find how many work hours were “enough” for me. When I was president of the National Association of Women Business Owners Los Angeles Chapter, the first motion I put on the table at the first Board of Directors meeting was this: “I move that there will now be thirty-six hours in every day.” It was seconded in a heartbeat, and passed unanimously, amid riotous laughter.

Would that we could solve our time-management problems so easily! But even if we could make thirty-six-hour days a reality, we would have the same problems managing our time as we do today. We spin like tops trying to do too much. There is so much to do in the world! We want to do all of it and we want to do it today. I see people on the overwork treadmill every day, and it isn’t pretty. People have the equation wrong—they think more work will equal more money. They look at some successful people who are working twelve-fourteen hour days and mistakenly draw the conclusion if they want to be successful, they will have to work twelve-fourteen hours per day, too. But what they fail to notice is that the successful person isn’t working that many hours because they have to. They’re doing it because they want to—this is their fun! Don’t put more hours in your work—put more fun in your work hours. It’s the passion and drive that’s fun, and that’s what creates success.

Even if you enjoy work and work a lot, at some point you’re going to run out of hours. Everyone has only twenty-four hours in a day, but we are all making different amounts of money. Bill Gates, Donald Trump and Stephen Spielberg aren’t making more money because they’re spending more time at work than you. They’re making more money because they’re leveraging their time differently. What can you do today to work lighter instead of longer?

Today’s Affirmation: “The more time off I take, the more money I make.”

When The Wealthy Spirit was released, I started receiving emails from people around the world who were enjoying the book. What a wonderful blessing of the internet, to receive confirmation that yes, some people were not only buying my book, but getting value from it.

Since I didn’t know how long the book would be in print and available, or how many people might feel drawn to actually write me, I started saving all the emails in a word file.

Imagine how fun it was when I received this one:

Dear Chellie:

Greetings from Planet E-mail.

A great friend showed me your Wealthy Spirit book and pointed out that you had quoted me in your fine work. # 52.

My name is Michael Levine and I am the author of Lessons at the Halfway Point among other books.

Your Wealthy Spirit is a fine piece of work and you should be very proud.

Respectfully, I think you missed my point on my works but would love to share the meaning with you on a phone chat.  My website is lcoonline.com.

Again, thanks for including me.

Warmly,

ML

He gave me his phone number, too, so I called him up. He owns a very successful public relations firm and handles a lot of big-time Hollywood clients. This is from his web site: “Throughout its 26 year history, LCO has represented Hollywood’s biggest and most powerful names and brands including Dave Chappelle, Michael Jackson, Bill Clinton, Nike, Playboy, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Suzanne Sommers, Paul Stanley, The Laugh Factory, Prince, David Bowie, Peter Guber, Pizza Hut, George Michael, Cameron Diaz, and hundreds more.”

Wow. And he wrote me a letter? I was impressed.

Michael was terrific and down-to-earth when we talked. He let me know that his point in the book was that rewards shouldn’t necessarily be about the number of hours, but that people who are dedicated and work hard to succeed should receive appropriate remuneration for that. I agreed with that and we had a wonderful chat.

I’ve met some fabulous people and had experiences I never would have had if I hadn’t written this book. This year is the 10th anniversary since it was first published in 2002, and in 2009, my publisher asked me to make some edits, add testimonial blurbs and an updated photo, then re-released it. They were getting some big orders in because of the economic crisis of these last couple of years made my topic quite timely.

I’m still collecting emails in my word file. Now it’s over 300 pages. I feel very blessed.

If you haven’t been collecting your compliments and testimonials, start now. If you don’t have the actual notes or letters, just write down what you remember. Whenever you have one of those what’s-the-use-nothing-is-working-life-is-futile days, you can review your collection and remember that you have touched people and made a difference. There’s nothing better for the spirit than that.

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Updated insider information by Chellie Campbell, author of “The Wealthy Spirit: Daily Affirmations for Financial Stress Reduction”

51 – February 20

“When I want your opinion, I’ll beat it out of you.”—Chuck Norris

Have you ever done something you’re ashamed of? Made a bad decision, a blunder which you later regretted?

There was a time when I was very unhappy with myself. I had done something dumb and the committee inside my head was giving me a very hard time. “You’re so stupid!” the voice said. “How could you have done that?” chimed in another. “You’ll never get ahead if you keep doing things like that” said the third. On and on the committee raged.

Disgusted with myself, I went to the grocery store, but the litany of inadequacies continued while I shopped. The negative voices had really taken over my consciousness and were punishing me.

Finished at the store, I drove home and into my parking lot. I got out of the car, opened the back door, and leaned over to grab my brown paper grocery bag. Somehow it had gotten wedged in tight between the floor and the seat and was stuck. Angrily, I tugged and pulled at the bag. All of a sudden the paper bag tore, and the force of my tugging sent my arm flying up, my hand in a fist—and I punched myself in the nose!

(continued on page 50 of The Wealthy Spirit)

Today’s Affirmation: “My mind is full of powerful, loving thoughts about myself.”

Sometimes, I just make myself nuts over things I can’t do anything about. My website went down for 3 days a while back. Picture much wailing and gnashing of teeth.

I knew I needed some solace and support from my buddies, so I posted on Facebook:

At 4:00 am this morning, Paranoid Schizo Chellie woke me up, cackling that my web site had disappeared forever and I was doomed. Luckily, I caught her, put her back in lockup, and called forth Angel Chellie again through some powerful affirmations like EGBOK (Every Thing’s Gonna Be OK). Send positive thoughts, please!

And my darling friends posted back. Here’s a sampling of their wonderful words:

TaRessa Stovall Your timing is always elegant and divine. Your work is so profound that a web glitch can’t touch your magic. Plus you’ll just turn it into one of your wonderful stories with a powerful lesson at the end! We love you and are sending you rich, prosperous, abundant tech blessings!

Lorrie Kazan during the Bush adm my brother’s anti-war site disappeared off the internet. we had a field day speculating on that one!

Dina DiStefano Websites need vacations too! Don’t worry, it will be back soon and fully rested to boot!

Nancy Barry-Jansson Chellie, I see all glitches resolved & your site back up in no time. In the meantime, enjoy a co-vacation with your site! )

Kathryn Alice Misery loves company, so it’s nice to hear a fellow internet person (one I admire) is also having challenges. We are in Barbados, where the internet/phone situation has been giving us trouble. For some people, bad, but for those whose business runs on internet, REALLY hard. Love & support!

Orna Walters Everything Is Going To Be Okay! You are Loved.

Amit Bidwe I am going through your website! (Hoping to see it!)

Allyn Cioban i remember EGBOK! (and it’s true!!!) sending love and light and good wireless ju-ju! xx

Joanne P. Stein Phew! Glad to know I’m not the only one with a “paranoid schizo” self as well as an angelic self. EGBOK indeed!!!

Ah, I felt so much better when I shared my woes and got some love and virtual pats on the back. Did more affirmations, and then to top off my feeling-good-again mood, did a little shopping on the Internet and bought myself another pair of gold & leopard sneakers.

Ah, Retail Therapy works its wonders again! The web site was back up the next day.

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Updated insider information by Chellie Campbell, author of “The Wealthy Spirit: Daily Affirmations for Financial Stress Reduction”

50 – February 19

“Remember the turtle progresses only when he sticks his neck out.”—Anonymous

Summer vacation! Wonderful. But summers at the beach were only a fond high school memory. For I was eighteen now, and had just finished my first year at college. Home for the summer this year meant getting a job. After answering some want ads in the paper, I finally had gotten an interview with the Auto Club. Alas. My typing skills were apparently abysmal, and I didn’t qualify for an office job with them.

Depressed, I turned my car towards home and thought about what kind of job I might find. The previous year, I had gotten my very first job—as a telephone solicitor. It was horrible. I was dreadful. That was out! After that, I got a job at Zody’s, a now-defunct low-end department store, working the return desk. The line of people returning things they had purchased was always long, and the people were always angry. I wasn’t going to go back there.

Now it looked like office jobs were out, at least until my typing improved. As I thought about what I might be qualified for, suddenly I started thinking about what I might like to do. Until that moment, I hadn’t really thought about liking a job. I rather had the idea that I was doomed to drudgery. But I perked up at the idea I might like something. It suddenly occurred to me that I might like working in at a flower shop. I loved flowers, gardening and hiking. Maybe that would be fun!

At that moment, I saw a sign that read “Whittier Florists.” Without giving myself too much time to think about it, I impulsively turned into the parking lot, got out of my car, and marched into the flower shop. The woman behind the desk asked if she could help me. I told her I was looking for a job. “Are you a designer?” she asked, sizing me up. “Yes!” I blurted out. (Where had that come from? Oh well, I’ve done it now.) She nodded and said, “All right, come back here and design something.” (Gulp!)

She walked me back to the workroom, handed me a vase and a bunch of flowers and went off to the front of the shop. Well, I thought, what’s the worst that could happen? I don’t get the job? I don’t have the job now. The worst that can happen is that I break even and leave here the same as I started. But I will have tried. I quickly looked around at the vases of flowers to see how they were put together and dove in. Who knows? Maybe I’ll just get this job!

I did. The woman came back, looked at the floral arrangement I had made, and said, “Fine. Come back tomorrow to meet the owner. I’ll tell him about you.” I showed up bright and early the next morning, and they put me to work immediately. I worked there every holiday and vacation for the next three years.

Instead of thinking about what you can do, think about what you’d like to do. Then go for it!

Today’s Affirmation: “I can do anything I put my mind to!”

It still gives me a chuckle when I think back to that day in the flower shop. Where did that “yes” come from?

But I know by then I had already developed the idea that if you put your neck out and try, you’ve got a 50-50 shot of being successful. If you don’t try, you’ve got a zero shot at being successful. So what would you rather have? A 50% chance of success or a 0% chance?

Part of this comes from the actor’s credo that you always say “Yes!” on an audition when they ask you “Can you (fill in the blank)?” Some actors I knew said yes before the interviewer even finished the sentence. (If it turned out to be sky-diving, you could always back up and say no afterward. I’m not pretending I can do anything where the downside is death.)

Back in my acting days, I was cast in a musical at Walt Disney World called “Show Me America!” Larry Billman, the director of the musical, told me the story of casting actress Teri Garr in a major role in the show when it was originated at Disneyland two years before. She was to play the Statue of Liberty, who was the narrator of the show, and do it on roller skates. (Note: This is my memory of the story circa 1973, so this is an approximation of what was said, not an exact quote.)

At the audition, Larry asked her if she could roller skate. “Oh, yes,” Larry told me that Teri exclaimed. “I love roller skating. I roller skate all the time. I was practically a professional roller skater!”

She was cast in the show and was terrifically funny in the part. She did a great job all through rehearsals, but finally the day came for dress rehearsal, and she had to do it on roller skates.

She couldn’t skate at all. She lurched, waved her arms madly, then sailed across the stage until she ran into something that stopped her. Sometimes she just continued rolling right off into the wings, where someone would grab her, turn her around and push her back onstage.

She must have been afraid she was going to be fired. But Larry was laughing helplessly, with tears rolling down his face.

“You’ve never been on skates before, have you?” he accused.

“Only when I was a kid,” she admitted sheepishly.

“Well, lucky for you, you are screamingly funny not being able to skate, so we’re leaving you in,” Larry told her. She fell into the orchestra pit at least once a week, shouting “Lookout, John, here I come!” to the conductor.

I did a little google research, and found a 2008 interview with Larry Billman that included this story and Teri Garr wrote about it in her book Speedbumps: Flooring it Through Hollywood. I was ticked that they both verified the story above, so my memory’s pretty good!

If Teri had told Larry at the audition that she couldn’t skate, she probably wouldn’t have gotten the part. If I hadn’t said “Yes” I could design flower arrangements, I wouldn’t have gotten the job.

So have a little chutzpah already. Say yes and wing it!

Note: I did some research and found Larry on Facebook and sent him this post. He replied: “Chutzpah is the secret to get doors ‘Opened.’ But once inside you have to deliver the goods as you did. Thanks for sharing this story. There is a recent photo of Teri and me in my ‘Friends’ photo album as I still see her as often as possible. I have such admiration for that adorable, non-skating comedienne who became the inspiration she is now in her medical challenges. Now, THAT’S Chutzpah.”

Larry, you’re so right. I am sending my prayers and blessings to Ms. Teri Garr.

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Updated insider information by Chellie Campbell, author of “The Wealthy Spirit: Daily Affirmations for Financial Stress Reduction”

49 – February 18

“Do not attempt to do a thing unless you are sure of yourself, but do not relinquish it simply because someone else is not sure of you.”—Stewart E. White

When I was in high school, just beginning to be interested in a career in the theater, I tried out for the school musical. The year before, I had been in my first musical in a small dancing role. This time I wanted a speaking part, but to get one, you had to sing a song at the audition. It took place in front of the teacher and all the other students—my entire peer group!—who were trying out for parts. Although I had been singing in the church choir for years, I had never sung a solo in front of anyone before. I decided to sing “Tonight” from West Side Story, which sounded pretty good when I rehearsed it at home in the shower. But in front of all my friends that day, I was so nervous, my poor voice just wavered tremulously and I barely squeaked out the last high note. Finally relieved to be finished, I smiled at the applause as I returned to my chair. Then the teacher said, “That’s all right, Chellie, you just keep dancing until you learn how to sing!” and the entire room erupted in laughter. I was devastated.

I never sang again in high school. I felt the humiliation of that day too intensely to brave its like again. But I kept practicing and improving. When I went to college, I tried again, and won some small parts, but always the fear of ridicule was with me. It all changed when I got into a summer theater program at the University of Oregon at Eugene. I flew there scared but excited. I had determined that I was going for broke with the audition the next day. After all, I reasoned, I wouldn’t ever see any of these people again, so if I made a fool of myself, so what? I had to sing full and strong and joyously, without the crippling fear that strangled the notes in my throat.

It worked! I sang “I Can’t Say No” from Oklahoma, a funny character piece that suited me perfectly. I had fun with it and the audience had fun with me. When I finished, one of the directors ran up on stage, took my hand, handed me a script—and cast me as the lead in their first show, Celebration. I was elated, triumphant, vindicated! I could sing.

Confidence ebbed and flowed over the years as I wrestled with my fear demons whenever I took on new challenges. But I never forgot this one shining moment of triumph and how I achieved it: I sang for myself because I thought it was good and did not dwell on how it would be received. And that is the lesson of confidence: Work and improve until you think you’re good. Your People will think you’re good, too! The others don’t matter.

Today’s Affirmation: “I have confidence in me!”

I always enjoy watching American Idol, even though Simon Cowell with his famous cutting critiques is gone. Randy Jackson is now the senior “dawg” and of the judges group that includes Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez. Steven cracks me up, and Jennifer has a lot of heart for the contestants.

But they are all clearly looking not only for great singers, but those with the “It” factor. Even if they are really talented singers, they aren’t going to make it if they don’t have charisma. “You have to have the likeability factor if you’re going to be a star!” they warn them.

I can see the confusion on the kids’ faces. I know they must be thinking “How do I do likeable?”

But you can tell who has “It”, too, can’t you? It’s written on their faces, in their body language, and in their energy. You can feel it.

I’d like to get all those kids in a room for 2 hours and coach them how to do it. The judges just know it when they see it – they don’t know how to teach them to do it. “Go for it!” and “Don’t be nervous” are useless instructions to people who are afraid of the moment instead of enjoying the moment.

Now, you may not be a singer or ever want to be on “American Idol”. But wouldn’t you like to be a star in your field? How would your life change if your personal presence was so magnetic that people were clamoring to work with you?

It’s a technique that can be learned.

Marilyn Monroe knew it. She and her friend, Susan Strasberg, were walking down a New York Street one afternoon and no one was paying them any attention at all. Susan remarked how strange it was that no one noticed the famous movie star Marilyn Monroe was right in their midst. Marilyn turned to her and said, “Oh, you want to see me be her?”

Marilyn straightened up, threw her head back, smiled, and lit up the street with charisma. Suddenly, heads started turning, people pointed and the crowd rushed to surround the star!

Now, I’m not saying you should try to be Marilyn Monroe. Trying to copy someone else is the biggest mistake you can make. But you can turn heads with your own brand of charisma, and attract the people who need, want, and can benefit from what you have to offer. And get paid—really well paid!—for doing what you love!

Not to brag, but in my own circle of influence, I’ve been doing it for years. My AV guy, Rich, was editing my recent video and told me his associate kept coming into the room saying, “Who is that? She’s great!”

That’s wonderful for me to hear – especially considering how terrible I was at presenting myself when I started out…I was one of the fearful ones who’s acting teacher yelled “Don’t be nervous!” at me. (Not a very helpful instruction). My knees and hands shook when I got up in front of people.

And then, that day on the Oregon summer stock stage, I got it. I had to enjoy performing for myself, or no one else was going to enjoy it. And to really love it full tilt, I had to stop caring what other people thought of me. Seems like an oxymoron, doesn’t it?

Here’s how it works:

1.      Start with Talent. Find something you have a natural talent for and work to perfect that. Don’t try out for a singing contest if you can’t carry a tune. If you want to play professional basketball you should be tall, coordinated, and nimble with a ball. You were born talented at something, but often it seems so natural to you that you might not recognize it. When I became a bookkeeper and business manager, I thought it was so simple that everyone could do it. It took me a long time to see it was a innate talent that not everyone had.

2.      Practice Being Confident: You must have confidence in yourself and your ability in order to succeed. A few people are born with confidence or develop it early. For most of us, though, it takes hiring a coach, taking lessons, and lots of practice. Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers estimates it take 10,000 hours or 10 years to become great at anything. So don’t give up before you get there. Gradually, you become proficient at your talent, and appreciate what you can do. With that comes more and more enjoyment as you do it, and then you trust yourself to do it well. It follows naturally that you expect other people will like it, too.

3.      Share Your Talent with Love: This is “It”. When your love and joy at what you’re doing shows on your face and in your body language. Yet being alone with it isn’t enough. You want to communicate and share your joy with others. The key is to love your audience and invite them in to enjoy your talent with you. The audience wants you to do well. They want to enjoy the ride with you. Trust them and take them with you. Have fun!

This is true whether you’re a singer, a teacher, an author, an insurance salesperson, a doctor, a chiropractor, a hair stylist, or anyone who works with other people. This will help you have a great conversation at a party or give a 30-second commercial at a networking event.

And that’s what brings in the cash, too!

I recorded a free teleclass on this subject:

“Confidence, Charisma, and Cash:

3 Master Keys to Making Big Money Now!”

In it, I share with you the simple lessons I’ve learned how to have the CONFIDENCE that creates CHARISMA that makes people want to buy from you so that you get the CASH to be happy, joyful, and rich.

Click here to register to receive the recording:

www.chellie.com/complimentary-teleclass.html

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Updated insider information by Chellie Campbell, author of “The Wealthy Spirit: Daily Affirmations for Financial Stress Reduction”

48 – February 17

“The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”—Chinese Proverb

The process of actualizing your desires is simple:

1.     Pick a goal

2.     Visualize yourself having it

3.     Positively affirm having it

4.     Send out ships to get it

5.     Celebrate getting it!

Visualizing having the goal is a step that is most important to master. Pick something small and easy to practice on at first. You could visualize getting a cab quickly and easily, or getting good news in the mail. Since I live in Los Angeles, where it sometimes seems there are a billion cars, I tell people to practice by manifesting a parking space at a busy shopping mall, theater, etc. The trick to getting parking spaces is to visualize the empty space instead of the crowd of cars.

My mother called me one day and she was very excited. She told me that she had always had trouble parking at the country club on the days she played golf—it was always very crowded. But this particular day, she remembered my stories of manifesting parking spaces and decided to try it. “I drove right up to the front entrance of the club, visualizing an empty space, and just as I arrived, a car pulled out of a space right in front of me! Chellie, this stuff really works!”

(continued on page 48 of The Wealthy Spirit)

Today’s Affirmation: “I visualize and create marvels in my life!”

My friends and I went to see a production of Late Nite Catechism written by Vicki Quade and Maripat Donovan. It was hilarious. Maripat Donovan plays a nun, and you, the audience members, are part of Sister’s class. She takes you back to the days of the Latin Mass, meatless Fridays, and if you went to Catholic school, reminds you about that good old ruler across the knuckles.

The friends I went with are Jewish, and I was raised a Methodist, but we all howled with laughter just the same. In this one-woman show, Sister interacts with the audience every step of the way. At one point, some people arrived late and were making their way to their seats.

“You’re late!” said Sister Maripat.

“Sorry,” said the man, surprised to be spoken to.

“Sorry, Sister,” said Sister Maripat.

“Sorry, Sister,” repeated the man abashedly.

“Why were you late?” she asked.

“We couldn’t find a place to park,” he answered.

“Aha. Parking,” she acknowledged, then turned to the audience. “Does anyone remember the prayer for parking?”

Several hands were raised, and she called on a woman in the front row. “Stand up and say it for this gentleman, please.”

Whereupon the woman dutifully turned and clearly repeated,

“Hail Mary, Full of Grace,

Help me find a parking space.”

Prayer: another way of manifesting.

If you get a chance to see this play, go. The New York Times calls it, “hilarious, well-written and inspired.” Jeffrey Lyons from TV’s Sneak Previews calls Late Nite Catechism “something to savor and enjoy….one of the most intimate, rewarding shows in town.” Their web site is www.latenitecatechism.com.

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Updated insider information by Chellie Campbell, author of “The Wealthy Spirit: Daily Affirmations for Financial Stress Reduction”

47 – February 16

“Aerodynamically, the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly. But the bumblebee doesn’t know that, so it goes on flying anyway.”—Mary Kay Ash

Carol Allen is a high-energy, darling astrologer who loves to travel. While taking my workshop, she created a new affirmation for herself: “Money is flying at me from all directions.” Here is her report:

“I started saying this for ten minutes a day and within a week, money started to come to me through flying. First, my long-distance boyfriend sent me a round-trip ticket to visit him in New Mexico. Then, while using the ticket at the airport, Southwest airlines gave me a voucher for twenty dollars off my next flight. In all my years of flying, I’d never heard of such a thing. At the gate of my connecting flight, they gave me another voucher for another twenty dollars. I had a fabulous trip!

(continued on page 47 of The Wealthy Spirit)

Today’s Affirmation (of course!): “Money is flying at me from all directions!”

Back in my acting days, I got a call to audition for a Pillsbury Flour television commercial. They were looking for my “type” – a young woman homemaker baking in the kitchen. But it was going to be a regional commercial that would run in the Southern United States, so they stressed that an authentic Southern accent was required.

I called my boyfriend Stan about the casting opportunity, but told him I didn’t think it was right for me because I wasn’t really from the South. I knew what they wanted because my mother was born and raised in Mississippi, and although she had lived in California for 25 years, she never lost her accent. (It was pretty funny when she tried to help me with my French. Have you ever heard French spoken with a Southern accent? Oy.)

“Chellie, have you ever listened to yourself after you talk with your mother?” Stan admonished me. “Just call your mom and talk with her for five minutes before the audition. You’ll be fine!”

I had to laugh at that, so I invented an affirmation for myself that I spoke with a perfect Southern accent. Then I followed his instructions and had a lovely talk with my mom and sure enough, her lilting drawl started creeping into my speech pattern.

When the producers and director called me into the casting area and had me stand in front of the camera, the director said amiably, “Hi, Chellie.”

“Hi, y’all,” I replied. (Phonetically, this sounds like “Haa, yawl”.)

He grinned, and said, “Chellie is an interesting name. Where did that come from?”

I said, “It’s a family name. My mother is from Mississippi and her name is Chellie LeNell. My grandmother is Chellie Estelle, my cousin is Chellie Lou, and I’m Chellie Lynn.” Everyone in the room perked up and laughed at that.

“Isn’t that confusing at family reunions?” he asked.

“No, sir, it’s the South you know, and we always use two names, like Billy Jo and Jim Bob and so there’s no mistake at all.”

I got the job.

Have you ever talked your way into believing in something that on the face of it, looked like it couldn’t happen – but then you did it anyway? Go for your dream today, no matter what “facts” are standing in your way!

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Updated insider information by Chellie Campbell, author of “The Wealthy Spirit: Daily Affirmations for Financial Stress Reduction”

45 – February 15

“Too many people miss the silver lining because they’re expecting gold.”—Maurice Setter

It was Tuesday afternoon, and I was at the Westside lunch meeting of Women’s Referral Service. I showed my friend, Lynn Kerew, my page on “Suze Orman is Living My Life.” She laughed, but then looked me straight in the eye. “Don’t you know there are people here who are looking at you, saying ‘Chellie Campbell is living my life’?” she said. “You’re a Life Member, a Member of the Year Award winner, you know everybody, and half the people in the room have taken your workshop. In this circle of people, you’re the Suze Orman!”

Oh, thank you, Lynn, for the reminder. I was focusing on what I didn’t have instead of what I do have. I was looking at how successful I wasn’t instead of how successful I was. Lynn got me back to reality—by playing the “Glad Game” with me. It was great.

She went on to say that she was moaning to herself the week before that she only had one hundred fifty patients a week in her chiropractic practice and her goal was to have three hundred. But then she remembered that a year ago she only had fifty! So she had a choice: She could moan about what she didn’t have or she could celebrate what she did have. And she decided she would live in celebration. Then she told me where she learned it.

From me.

Today’s Affirmation: “I am the most successful me I know!”

Nancy Marmolejo said, “Your message is medicine for the world and you were chosen to deliver it.”

You may not have the most beautiful voice, or the loudest, or the most melodic. But you have a voice, and one that a few are attuned to so closely that it is the only one they can hear. Don’t despair if others have more followers or more money or fame or glory – those are things of the world that don’t always bring happiness to their owners. Revel in the joy you have and the joy you bring to others. Weep not that you aren’t the biggest or the best. How many are given that? Know that your life has beauty and purpose and be about your work, honestly and honorably, in gratitude for your gifts that you share with whatever part of the world is yours to touch.

I watched the Grammy awards in awe at all the unique and special voices, lifted in fantastic songs of personal joys and sorrows, angst and questioning, loves and loneliness. All blend in a chorus of humanity that we all share together on this Earth. I cried for Whitney and Etta and all the souls we lost from the Earth this year, but celebrated all who remain, singing their songs, living their dreams. You, too, are part of this chorus, whatever your range and distances, whatever audience is listening. You are heard. You are needed. You are loved.

Quiver in the night of your solitude, expectant for the light of a new dawning. Awake and sing.  If only one voice, if only for one moment, if only for one listener. Know this truth: You are as special, as gifted, as needed as the best and brightest in the land. The spectacle fails without the audience. Without the listener, the singer is lost. Without a song, the world is lost.

The world needs all.

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Updated insider information by Chellie Campbell, author of “The Wealthy Spirit: Daily Affirmations for Financial Stress Reduction”

46 – February 14

“Today I forgive all those who have ever offended me. I give my love to all thirsty hearts, both to those who love me and to those who do not love me.”—Paramahansa Yogananda

One Valentine’s Day fell on a Friday, when I had a regularly scheduled business networking meeting. Joe Reber, an estate planning attorney, had brought a valentine for each member of the group—one of the small valentines that we used to give each other in grade school. I could see everyone’s face light up with pleasure as they received their card, remembering with nostalgia their grade school Valentine’s Days. Joe told me he gave one to an older woman he saw at the grocery store and she started to cry. She said she hadn’t gotten a valentine in forty years.

Is it good business for him to do this? Yes.

Is that why he does it? No.

It is clearly a gift from the heart, meant only to give people a moment’s happiness. That’s why it’s good for business.

I want to refer business to a man like that.

Today’s Affirmation: “I give gifts from the heart and they flow back to me in return.”

I remember that Le Tip networking breakfast very well – it was so much fun seeing everyone get their little paper Valentines. When you see people’s faces light up, and that “Awww, thanks” expression, you truly feel how all of us on this planet are connected through the heart.

Celebrate love today. The love of your spouse, partner or significant other. The love of your family – mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, grand-nephews, third cousins twice removed – everyone, including the Family of Man. I love Yagananda’s blessing: “I give my love to all thirsty hearts…”

Me, too.

Enjoy this day we celebrate love with loving. May an unexpected miracle of love touch your life today!

Love and hugs,

Chellie

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Updated insider information by Chellie Campbell, author of “The Wealthy Spirit: Daily Affirmations for Financial Stress Reduction”

44 – February 13

“There is no greater glory than love, nor any greater punishment than jealousy.”—Lope de Vega

Stayed up late last night, reading and writing…it was 12:30 A.M. but I was just charged up and couldn’t sleep. Finally, I got into bed and turned on the television so I could drowse off. And there she was, best-selling author of The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom, bright, cute and smiling all over Oprah. It wasn’t enough that she had her own PBS special running forever like the Taebo of financial fitness. The whole Oprah show was a paean to her. Money sparkled in her eyes, success dripped off her nose, and her stature proclaimed “Millions of Books Sold, Millions of Books Sold!”

Meanwhile, I didn’t have a publisher yet.

Saint Chellie chirps, “Isn’t that wonderful? She deserves her success and is helping many people. There’s room for everyone!” Demon Chellie howls at the moon. I want a stiff drink and twelve cigarettes, but I swore off those things and won’t go there. So screw the diet—I eat pie for breakfast. Marie Calendar apple pie. Turns out it’s fat free. Rats. Saint Chellie’s been messing with my grocery list.

pie

(continued on page 44 of The Wealthy Spirit)

Today’s Affirmation: “I applaud other people’s successes because they point the way to my own.”

For some time, I really was jealous of Suze. One night, in one of my workshops I made a comment about how she had beat me to Oprah, and I wasn’t pleased. A man in the class set me straight right away: “You should be thanking Suze Orman. She’s proved there’s a market for what you do!”

I stopped and looked at him and cocked my head. “You know, I never thought about it that way before. You’re right! I should be glad she’s out there blazing the trail and making it easier for the rest of us women financial educators to have credibility and be taken seriously. Thank you for sharing that!”

There was a conversation I joined in on Facebook a while ago, started by my friend and coach, Karyn Greenstreet. A few people mentioned how they felt it was hard for them to be in business because there was so much competition. It was wonderful to see how many people chimed in to say that each person is unique and wonderful with gifts to share that will be needed by the very people who find them and hire them. Here are a few of the comments:

Karyn began with: “No! No! No! I got an email from a student today who said she wasn’t going to launch her class because she found out that a competitor had a similar class. There is abundance all around us, and you will draw the right students to your class not just because of WHAT you teach, but WHO the teacher is (you!). Do not give up on your dream just because someone else has the same idea.”

“Thanks…. I had the exact same experience today! And when I saw how similar another amazing female entrepreneur’s idea was to mine… I gasped for a moment and then took it as positive affirmation!”

“When the zeitgeist (the spirit of the times) is right, you’ll see LOTS of people talking about the same topics. Some will write blog posts on it, some will write books, some will create audios or videos, some will create classes, some will just discuss it with friends. From a practical business point of view, having competition is a GOOD thing: it means that there is a market for what you want to sell.”

“…who cares that someone else is doing something similar, similar is not the same, it cannot be the same… each person has their own process they take people through and it will never be the same as someone else’s.”

“Thanks for this…I too suffer from ‘I-don’t-want-to-be-in-direct-competition-itis!’ LOL”

“A friend recently told me that if many people are teaching the same topic you’re passionate about, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. It means that topic is so important that it needs more than one messenger.”

And I think this comment from Karyn was the capper:

“I was just thinking: Can you imagine if the folks who wrote West Side Story said, ‘Oh, someone’s already done this story. Let’s not do it. There’s too much competition with that Shakespeare feller.’ LOL”

What has “The Competition” stopped you from doing?

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