My next book. Very personal. What happens when a younger person gets dementia? Forthcoming October 2024.
“Finding the Light is a poignant memoir about a mother’s journey caring for her son with a terminal form of early-onset dementia, Frontotemporal Degeneration, or FTD. From the overwhelming tasks that must be done to ultimately sharing the meaningful insights that can be gained in this experience, you can’t come away without being deeply moved.”
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We read often about the power of words. Today this is taken very seriously by many, and we hear how some words are harmful. Do words themselves have power? Does it have anything to do with intelligence? Or perception?
We judge others pretty rapidly for the words they use. We feel offended by some words. We feel hurt, angry, or loved, and happy, upon hearing certain words. So, it does seem they must be pretty powerful to move us so much.
But words, like most things in our life, get their meaning from us. Words alone don’t have power. It is completely individualized on the part of who is hearing, or reading them and the power, is in the meaning we give them. And we forget we have a choice.
What happens when we hear a word that makes us feel offended? There are several things going on at the same time. Our history, beliefs, emotional state, and knowledge quickly consume the word, register in our body, and form a judgement. We judge the person. We decide how we feel about them and what they just said. We then notice our reaction to that judgement. And it has a lot to do with where we are in our maturity, and yes, our level of consciousness.
In truth, there is no power outside ourselves for words to hurt us. Our kneejerk reactions can be changed. When we understand that the words coming from others are simply displaying their own inner condition, their own created perception, then we may observe from a higher place within ourselves. The more we grow in consciousness, or awareness, the more we discover who we really are, and our independence of other’s opinions, the more we can consciously choose our reactions to other’s words.
Other’s words don’t define us. Other’s words define the speaker, if anything. Often, they are projecting and describing who they are! And certainly, the energy behind the other person’s words can affect us. Are they coming from pain? Fear? The learned ability to shift from an emotional reaction to a calm, understanding one takes effort and time, but it can be done.
As Deepak Chopra teaches us, there is a silent witness within our being observing what is going on in our lives. When we move to identify and perceive from this place, we rise above words that we once felt harmed by. Discover this for yourselves. |
Our carts almost crashed in the health food store while we were both looking for items on the shelves. “Oh, sorry!” I smiled.
The cute, petit, grey-haired woman smiling back. “That’s Ok.”
I went on my way. Later, in the vegetable section, she began talking to me. Asking me about my blood type, telling me her issues with certain foods. Then she told me how old she was, and how wonderful she feels, because she eats for her blood type.
She began jumping up and down to show me what good shape she is in. I mentioned a bit about what I do for my healthy eating, and I teach Ayurveda, etc., but she really wasn’t interested. I even jumped up and down too!
Eventually she pulled out a folded, worn pamphlet from her purse, “See here, this is what you should be eating. You can have this information if you want it.” She held it up in front of me.
I smiled. I told her I’d read the book about that when it came out. I like what I am doing, but thank you.
She continued her discussion for a little while. It took a few more moments to disengage nicely and move on to my shopping. I was struck by her passion. We are benefited greatly by the passion we have for our chosen path, be it for a certain way of eating, a certain way of caring for ourselves, or our personal faith. Having that passion flooding our body and soul is good for us physically, and for our overall wellbeing.
As I drove home, I chuckled to myself as I analyzed her mind/body type according to Ayurevda. I’m not saying this is a good idea, with such a short meeting, yet with my years of study, I saw a little imbalance in her strong desire to ‘sell’ me and change me to her method!
When we are excited about something we have discovered for ourselves, it is so natural to want to share it. We want others to feel the powerful, positive results we’ve experienced. But what if the other person is equally passionate about what they have found?
Several years ago, a dear friend and I were having lunch. She is very devout in her particular faith. I love her enthusiasm. When she talks about her faith it is beautiful. But this day she was attempting to convince me to change my beliefs to be more in line with hers. She spoke with such reverence I actually got tears in my eyes.
I told her, “Seeing your deep faith, your total devotion is breathtaking. I know there is a special place for you in the world to share your beliefs. You have a gift in how you tell of it.
And you know what? I feel exactly the same about my beliefs. I feel that passion about mine. They move me too.”
And we both sat peacefully in silence.
RESEARCH
Getting to know our true nature
“He who knows others is learned; He who knows himself is wise.” ~Lao-tzu, Tao te Ching
Who Am I? What Do I Want?
Spiritual – Here we delve into the greatest mystery. Just as it is essential to research investment strategies, different types of mortgages, and what kinds of cars to buy, it is also essential to research the nature of reality and how it works. What laws seem to govern life? Are there any rules at all?
More importantly, we can begin the research of who we really are—each one of us. Sages and scientist’s explorations and discoveries of the universe are fascinating. Our inter-connectedness, the study of our infinite, unlimited, multi-dimensional selves by quantum physicists, complements our religious teachings. Reminding ourselves of the great matrix, of which everyone is a part, is very uplifting, inspiring us to feel bigger than we might have before.
Materially – Ask yourself what you have created and why? Just where do you want to be? What do you want from the physical world? Do you have opposing beliefs that may be stopping you? Going out into the world with tasks to unmask some of these hidden beliefs is your assignment here. How about guilt and the need to forgive yourself and others? Could this be holding your prosperity back? Asking yourself these questions can open a doorway to a new way of looking at your life and what you have.
What do you truly, deep in your heart, want? In looking at your family and other people in your life and society; what messages did you receive from them? What were your first messages about money? How does the world look: safe, scary, or chaotic? What are the default beliefs that form a basis for your experience? In looking at your goals, seek to discover what that goal represents, what is the essence? (Which is the real desire!)
Financially – What are your financial goals? How much income and net worth do you think you need ? See how you can stretch your idea of numbers so that large amounts become smaller and more attainable in your mind. How much is enough? What is the real purpose here? There are three types of people in relationship to money: the saver, the spender and the controller. Each has attributes that are beneficial, and each type can be successful. The problems arise when we become out of balance. Without balance and wellbeing, a saver may become a hoarder, a spender will go broke and a controller will either keep second guessing and comparing their methods or won’t take any risk at all.
Revisit the goals worksheet on Kasey Claytor’s site here.
I must say I’ve been blown away by the book sales since the Money Map came out. This is my 7th book, and I’ve never been so surprised by the high interest. Could the reason be because it is about money? I’m betting so! I posted an excerpt below explaining just how important our financial life is to our comfort and security. A big thank you to all who’ve taken the time to purchase this book. May you have complete financial wellbeing!
For those who live in Central Florida, I am considering a book talk to go over the points necessary to our financial success and wellbeing. Books will be available to be signed. Dates possible right now are Friday, Nov 17th or Saturday the18th. Please reply to this email if interested. Unless it is a very large group, we can meet in our conference room in Titusville.
To Your Prosperity and Wellbeing,
Kasey Claytor
“The Purusharthas, mentioned in the Indian Vedic texts, are a large body of religious writings by ancient, enlightened seers. They list four aims of life: that of purpose, (Dharma), material security, (Artha), pleasure and relationships, (Kama), and freedom, self-realization, (Moksha). Even the great sages of India knew without material security we will have deficits in our wellbeing. Artha is the security of having the material resources we need to live in the world with ease. It is a basic human dignity. And for any of us to take care of our families without money crises, it’s necessary to have material balance.
Financial success is a spiritual goal.”
From the introduction to the Money Map, A Spiritual Guide for Financial Success
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I haven’t been in touch lately with you, my subscribers, except to notify you of the launching of my new book. You deserve an explanation. My son, Justin, was diagnosed with a terminal brain disease called Frontotemporal Degeneration in April of 2019. At the beginning of this year he declined rapidly, and he passed away in May. A link to his obituary. It has been hard to write about, talk about and live with, as you can imagine. Gradually working back into my book project was one of the ways I could spend my time where I was able to shift my attention to something other than my grief. I’d like to let you in on one of the ways I found to lighten and process the grief. Actually, there are many ways we receive help in crisis, from family, friends, support groups, books, spiritual teachers, chaplains and counselors to name some. This one practice anyone can implement anytime. Establish a ritual. Do it before any crisis. One thing that is certain; we all will have a crisis, or crises at some point. When you have a ritual that you are already practicing, you have something that gives you comfort and is nourishing, and for a small time, relieves you of pain. It may be devotion to your spiritual practices, but it may be something else. It ought to be an activity that takes you away from your normal thoughts, away from your chattering ego. Your ego is like a demanding child always wanting attention and control, full of judgements and self-pity. A ritual can invite your inner self, your higher consciousness, your soul, a connection to something much bigger than yourself, into your awareness. Peace is found there. The obvious ritual is prayer and/or meditation. But it could be reading poetry and sitting in contemplation of it. A ritual that encourages mindfulness. You could just focus on your senses, like sitting in nature listening to the sounds, feeling the air on your skin. Or create a ceremonial practice of a tea ritual, done with intention, purposeful with mindfulness. A walking meditation is lovely also, while reciting a mantra or prayers. Once you’ve decided on your ritual, do it every day in the same place and at the same time, if possible. You are creating a groove in your daily life which will invite a tranquil energy to fill you. Your physiology will become trained to shift into this perspective. You will look forward to it. It won’t be another to-do, it will be a break from your busy life, a rewarding time that will fill you with insight and inspiration. As Deepak Chopra says, if you are too busy for this, then you really need it! As you do this, while in a crisis, it may happen that emotions arise, and that is OK. Certainly. Allow them to flow up and out, wait until they dissipate, and return to your mantra. I embraced my meditation and prayer ritual with all my heart as I cared for myself in my grief, and still do. I wanted to share this with all of you, because I want you to have this skill for yourself, when you need it. I see so much suffering in others that could be helped by this practice. Here is my 13 minute recording on how and why to meditate just below my Hay House interview. Enjoy. I’m excited to share below the first Editorial Review for The Money Map! 5 STARS! And I feel a deep appreciation to all of you who have already bought this book. You’ve been giving me wonderful feedback. To Your Prosperity and Wellbeing, Kasey Claytor
THE MONEY MAP: A Spiritual Guide for Financial Success By Kasey J. Claytor ISBN: 978-0-692-89050-9 ASIN: B0CHG8ZBYM Osprey Publishing Rating: 5/5; Highly Recommended! “…”There is something magical about money—the way it appears and disappears, grows and shrinks, and, in a similar way of taming a hesitant wild horse, with calm assuredness and confidence, not only will you learn to control it, but you will find you can joyfully master it.” -Author Kasey J. Claytor Claytor offers insight on how one can change their thinking and behavior to allow the floodgates of abundance to open up, with solid advice for achieving undivided focus, intelligent poise, and a competent thought technique. She asserts that everyone can step outside of themselves and hold the point of view of the observer. If one is mindful and aware of their present moment, they can move toward much-needed peace and confidence, allowing the growth of new ideas and productivity. The route to monetary independence may appear too steep to ascend, but The Money Map will guide readers to the summit, one checkpoint at a time. This book’s eye-opening revelations about the mindsets of affluent people and its secrets to what they carry inwardly, earn it must-read status in the business resources category. The Money Map: A Spiritual Guide for Financial Success will provide readers with invaluable advice, standing beside such works as Spiral Dynamics by Dr. Don Edward Beck Ph. D., Map of the Scale of Consciousness by Dr. David Hawkins M.D. Ph. D., and Integral Psychology by Ken Wilbur. The Money Map will aid anyone in discovering the most beneficial path to financial success, regardless of their current situation….” |
COMING THIS FALL!
THE MONEY MAP
A Spiritual Guide for Financial Success
Finding success, happiness, and prosperity should be easier than ever given the proliferation of self-help books and coaching. Yet with countless people reading, studying, and attending workshops, many still find themselves just scraping by financially. It’s clearly time to find a fresh approach. Instead of looking outward for answers, I suggest a reset that combines both the spiritual and financial sides of life. Let’s raise your level of Money Consciousness. You can create incremental shifts forward, and even feel awe at the magical, unlimited universe that connects us all.
A consciousness-based approach to growth in any area includes incorporating aspects of the universe with a deeper understanding of the qualities of spirit and mind. It also includes having an awareness of the physical world with an eye toward how we perceive it from our ego to our shared humanity. And of course, you need to be open to guidance specifically as it relates to your financial life.
It is possible to become financially secure and confident. Financial topics needn’t be dry, complex, or esoteric. Our capacity for experiencing abundance is already woven into the fabric of our multi-dimensional lives.
Self-knowledge is key. It’s important to see where you are right now and you can do that by looking at yourself on three levels: spiritually, physically and financially.
Who Am I?
Spiritually – This is the greatest mystery. Just as it is essential to research investment strategies, different types of mortgages, and what kinds of cars to buy, it is also essential to research the nature of reality and how it works. What laws seem to govern life? Are there any rules at all?
More importantly, we can begin the research of who we really are—each one of us. Sages and scientists’ explorations and discoveries of the universe have shown us our inter-connectedness and our infinite, unlimited, multi-dimensional selves. Being reminded, or being shown for the first time, the great matrix of which everyone is a part is very uplifting, and inspires us to feel bigger than we might have before.
Soul evolution and quantum shifts in consciousness are possible through meditation, self-reflection, and self-inquiry. Investigate by continuing to ask, “Who am I?”.
Materially – Ask what has been created in your life and why? Just where do you want to be? What do you want from the physical world? Do you have opposing beliefs; for example, desiring prosperity but believing rich people are corrupt? Go out into the world with specific tasks to unmask some of these hidden beliefs. Could guilt or resentment be holding your prosperity back?
What do you truly, deep in your heart, want? Look at your family and other people in your life and society; what messages did you receive from them? What were your first messages about money? How does the world look, safe, scary, or chaotic? What are the default beliefs that form a basis for your experience? In looking at your goals think about what that goal represents, what is the essence of it? (Which is the real desire!)
Financially – What are your financial goals and how can you stretch your idea of numbers. How much is enough? What is the real purpose here? There are three types of people in relationship to money: the saver, the spender, and the controller. Each has attributes that are beneficial, and each type can be successful. The problems arise when one type becomes out of balance. Without balance and wellbeing, a saver may become a hoarder, a spender will go broke, and a controller won’t take any risk at all. Knowing which type you are can enable you to find your balance.
Finding success, happiness, and prosperity should be easier than ever given the proliferation of self-help books and coaching. Yet with countless people reading, studying, and attending workshops, many still find themselves just scraping by financially. It’s clearly time to find a fresh approach. Instead of looking outward for answers, I suggest a reset that combines both the spiritual and financial sides of life. Let’s raise your level of Money Consciousness. You can create incremental shifts forward, and even feel awe at the magical, unlimited universe that connects us all.
A consciousness-based approach to growth in any area includes incorporating aspects of the universe with a deeper understanding of the qualities of spirit and mind. It also includes having an awareness of the physical world with an eye toward how we perceive it from our ego to our shared humanity. And of course, you need to be open to guidance specifically as it relates to your financial life.
It is possible to become financially secure and confident. Financial topics needn’t be dry, complex, or esoteric. Our capacity for experiencing abundance is already woven into the fabric of our multi-dimensional lives.
Self-knowledge is key. It’s important to see where you are right now and you can do that by looking at yourself on three levels: spiritually, physically and financially.
Who Am I?
Spiritually – This is the greatest mystery. Just as it is essential to research investment strategies, different types of mortgages, and what kinds of cars to buy, it is also essential to research the nature of reality and how it works. What laws seem to govern life? Are there any rules at all?
More importantly, we can begin the research of who we really are—each one of us. Sages and scientists’ explorations and discoveries of the universe have shown us our inter-connectedness and our infinite, unlimited, multi-dimensional selves. Being reminded, or being shown for the first time, the great matrix of which everyone is a part is very uplifting, and inspires us to feel bigger than we might have before.
Soul evolution and quantum shifts in consciousness are possible through meditation, self-reflection, and self-inquiry. Investigate by continuing to ask, “Who am I?”.
Materially – Ask what has been created in your life and why? Just where do you want to be? What do you want from the physical world? Do you have opposing beliefs; for example, desiring prosperity but believing rich people are corrupt? Go out into the world with specific tasks to unmask some of these hidden beliefs. Could guilt or resentment be holding your prosperity back?
What do you truly, deep in your heart, want? Look at your family and other people in your life and society; what messages did you receive from them? What were your first messages about money? How does the world look, safe, scary, or chaotic? What are the default beliefs that form a basis for your experience? In looking at your goals think about what that goal represents, what is the essence of it? (Which is the real desire!)
Financially – What are your financial goals and how can you stretch your idea of numbers. How much is enough? What is the real purpose here? There are three types of people in relationship to money: the saver, the spender, and the controller. Each has attributes that are beneficial, and each type can be successful. The problems arise when one type becomes out of balance. Without balance and wellbeing, a saver may become a hoarder, a spender will go broke, and a controller won’t take any risk at all. Knowing which type you are can enable you to find your balance.
Kasey Claytor’s Money Map Quiz can be found on her website, and her soon to be released book The Money Map, A Spiritual Guide to Financial Success, will be available on Amazon.
Courtesy, thoughtfulness and kindness go a very long way in our lives to reach our goals, from getting what we need from other people to our inner growth. These characteristics are valued in all the religious traditions I’ve read about; adored leaders use them, and hopefully our parents taught them.
I believe most people are kind and considerate when they are content. It is when our patience is strained, our stress level is high, and ‘our last nerve is plucked’ to quote a friend of mine, that our politeness can easily vacate our manner.
What I try to remember at these times is something I learned raising my sons and dealing with customers for the last 18 years. Make a conscious decision how you will react ahead of time. Letting the emotions dictate our behavior makes us lose validity. When we are angry because a product doesn’t work and we’re returning it, assume the merchant will correct the problem. If I stop to think, I realize the clerk probably wants to help. That gives me the calmness to explain my situation slowly, with the attitude that they want to help me when they understand the problem.
The same works with children. We can tell a child that she can’t go to the concert in a way that she is still respected, with the attitude that she will understand, even though she may not like it and be angry. For example, “I understand you really want to go to the concert, it sounds like fun. Our rules in this family are that you must reach 18 before you will be allowed to go without an adult. We made this rule to keep you safe because we love you so much.”
When someone is angry with us, it is even harder to maintain politeness yet it can be done. Make a decision not to react emotionally. Take the other persons side for a moment, listen without voicing your defense. If we listen long enough the other person may, just by being heard, feel so much better that he is willing to compromise. The release of his anger may help him see our side. We can then explain our side without attacking the other person. We can start the sentences with ‘I feel,’ or ‘I want’ instead of ‘You…..’
I am going to make it a priority in my work and private life to give each person the dignity all deserve. And treat my family with the respect that an honored guest would elicit of me. Of course, it isn’t easy. With stresses so high these days, it’s harder than ever, but at the same time more important than ever.
(I actually wrote this for our local newspaper back in the 1990s for Civility Week. It’s needed even more now. Let’s start a kind-demic!)
Photo by Ditto Bowo on Unsplash
Once again, a horrific school shooting and everyone in the media is clambering to blame ‘the others’, lamenting along with their positions, angering one side or the other. We, ultimately, are all at fault.
Our culture has a sickness to put it simply. It out-pictures in the vulnerable among us. Those lost souls with so much lack of meaning in their lives, that they act out in the worst ways to relieve their pain.
And we allow this to happen. It is a spiritual crisis.
Children are growing up in a sea of violence, meanness, incivility, and lack of respect. Problems are cast off as someone else’s responsibility. Every issue is torn into opposing camps throwing endless barbs.
The government cannot fix the sickness in our society.
We, the people have to mature, take responsibility, admit we have a crisis of meaning with no solutions. The next evolution of our species must be in our consciousness. And all of us need to work together and use all the solutions. It starts with kindness, care, and understanding.
The Money Map
How does your thinking and behaving create suffering in your financial life? What individual habits, actions and beliefs create poor financial health?—MORE
Spiritual Will & Legacy
Here is a workbook to bequeath your beliefs, ethics, values and history as a legacy to your heirs. Pass down intangibles like your knowledge and what is in your hearts..
There are questions to inspire you on various topics such as impactful life lessons, humorous family stories, good advice—MORE
Pinky
This small, pink, stuffed dog, Pinky, wanted nothing more than to be the best loved of all the stuffed animals sweet Francesca had. In this endearing story Pinky learns just how important his love is. From Francesca’s dream to Pinky’s big award, this little book will steal your heart. Find out why this was written, and how it came about. —MORE
I Know...Me Too
“These selected poems were written over a 40-year period. I dedicate this small collection to all the people who have touched me through these years: those who have loved me, liked me, challenged me, humored me, listened to and understood me, or"—MORE
The Light of Grace
The Light of Grace takes readers on an epic spiritual adventure as Grace, a newly-assigned angel, is given four humans to guide: Mumbi, an innovative prehistoric girl guided to break through limitations; Garth, a devout 14th century Christian who questions his faith... —MORE
The God of Anna
The story is a memoir told by Anna, about a year in her life that held serious struggles for her when she was about to turn 11 years old. This bright, introspective child lost her loving father and gradually came to realize that he had held their little family together with his charm and philosophical outlook. —MORE
7 Laws for Raising...
The 7 Laws of Raising Kids to be Financially Independent introduces parents and grandparents to the powers they hold to bring a fulfilling and abundant life to their young ones. It is written for parents who seek an empowering, warm, hands-on... —MORE
7 Steps to Living An Awesome Life Free Guide (link will be emailed)
