me again ...

This time my thoughts are about the book : ) I'm just going to copy and paste a paragraph from my personal blog since that is where I was writing about the book:

THe other book I'm reading is "The Jackrabbit Factor" by Leslie Householder. This is the one we're doing for bookclub this month. It's written by a Morman, so it is a book about the law of attraction with (thankfully) God put in his proper place instead of this vague "universe" power that is getting all the credit. I do find the law of attraction interesting -- to be honest I was completely sick of hearing about "The Secret" and blah blah blah, until I listened to "Recieving Answers to Prayers" a book by Elder Gene R. Cook. In there he quotes the scripture "Ask in faith, believing that ye shall recieve ... " and then talked about how we should go as far as to thank Heavenly Father for the things we are asking for -- even though we haven't received them yet, becuase that is showing our faith and the belief that we will receive the righteous blessing. I basically decided that is what this law of attraction hooplah really is. It's about being grateful for what you have, determining what you desire, and, if that is a righteous desire, going to Heavenly Father in prayer, asking in faith, belieivng you will recieve and keeping your mind open for the inspiration that will come to help you achieve what you want. I guess the key is that the desire is righteous, and in tune with what God's plan. It's not the "universe" magically aligning things and dropping money on your doorstep -- It is Heavenly Father opening doors, and guiding you to achieve the dream you desire.

yo

"The theory behind cash rewards is that poor people are trapped in a cycle of repeated setbacks that keep them from climbing out of poverty"

-- Money is never the answer. If they think cash rewards will teach people and help them out of poverty then they are wrong. The answer lies in knowledge, in education on how to apply correct financial principles. I truly believe that anyone who has experienced financial set-backs that put them in the "poverty" income level can break out -- if they do not have a poverty mindset. The only thing that actually traps people is their mindset. I look at my in-laws who have experienced a true financial set-back with Tina's 2 1/2 week hospital stay and major surgery operation (without any health insurance). Do I think that they will hit rock bottom and fall into the poverty cycle?? Heck no, while this experience sure could have thrown someone else into the poverty cycle of chasing payments and never making ends meet and thinking their is no "way out" (unless something like winning the lottery happens, or other unprincipled ways of getting money), I see them as people who will turn their brains on, and find a way to increase their means and work smarter to pay off this debt.

"The program "gives New Yorkers in poverty a financial incentive to look ahead and make decisions that will improve their prospects for the future," he said in a statement."

-- What about teaching them true incentives, such as being a good steward, and living by principle, rather than thinking the government should swoop in and pay you for getting an A on your report card?

"It just reinforces the impression that if everybody would just work hard enough and change their personal behavior we could solve poverty in this country, and that's not reflected in the facts," said Margy Waller, co-founder of Inclusion, a research and policy group in Washington. Waller, who served as a domestic policy adviser in the Clinton administration, said it would be more effective to focus on labor issues, such as making sure wage laws are enforced and improving benefits for working people."

-- I would really like to know what "facts" this socialist is citing to say that changing personal behavior can't solve poverty. True, it's not just about behavior, it is in your mindset. I just think it is complete socialism to once again think the problem is minimum wage, and lack of benefits. Look at the church's way of helping people in poverty. They say, ok, you're on hard times, let us help you with some food. In exchange will you help clean the church this saturday, work at D.I. ect ect... tehy're not teaching dependence on the church, their emphasizing self-reliance. It just makes me think of President Benson's talk, "The Proper Role of Government"

I just thought I would bounce back my thoughts. I think it is related to our book Amy, in that the answers are never in THINGS, Heavenly Father doesn't care about things, and things aren't important, they are mere tools that we use to bring about God's plans. Heavenly Father does care, however about our thoughts, and how are actions reflect those thoughts. Anyway, if you feel strongly that I am way off base, please feel free to post a reply ; )

-Marcie

Off topic (sort of)...

I read this article today and was appalled. Paying poor people state tax dollars for good behavior and grades! The more I learn why rich people are rich and why poor people are poor; the more I really believe that poverty, or staying in poverty rather, is a choice. It's like you are just fixed on finding that "paper sack" and your peripheral vision is cut off and you are so ignorant, so caught up in the consumer / scarcity mode you miss your opportunity that might be right in front of you. We are in control of our lives. We determine the outcome of our circumstances. This article is like open socialism in the US. This won't help poor people become better.

Taking a chance

Hello!
I totally agree, Laura. And it is definitely one of those books that you want to share with everyone, huh? My dad read it when he saw it on my nightstand and he thought it was great and gave me another book to read. It's called Jonathan Livingstone Seagull and it's by Richard Back. It's only 127 pages long and it sounds like it's really similar. It's about a seagull who decides to find higher meaning in his life even though his flock finds his decision threatening. It was written back in the 70s. I haven't read it yet, but I'm going to soon. I guess it was super popular.

Happy reading!

Meeting Times

Kudos to Laura and Raven who are kicking butt and creating posts. I admit, I haven't started the book yet. I've been caught up in another and keep putting off picking it up. Since it's such a page turner I don't think I'll have a prob. once I get it (tonight potentially ... : ) Anyway, in order for all of us to (finally) meet together once again, lets say we wait until Raven is back in town and shoot for the morning of July 30th for our meeting. The only hang up could be if anyone is going away that weekend becuase it is the weekend before the 4th of July. Otherwise we might just want to meet during the week in the last week of June. Lemme know what you think,

Marcie

Finished!

I finished this last night, it was definitely a page turner! I really liked the Epilogue, told a little of when they were older. I can't wait to discuss this book! :) btw...any meeting date yet?

Amen

I totally agree, the people who are in the rat race, or "looking for paper sacks" have their brains turned off to all the bright ideas out there, they're not using their head, or thoughts, to better their life. I am really enjoying this book, i am almost done! i kept interrupting my hubby to share some of the excerpts from the book that i really like, and he wants to read it....although, after all i've shared with him, he probably doesn't need to read it now. :) lol

Workin' nine to five...

Hi, ladies-
I think this book has some great and persuading points in it. My husband and I have been talking for a while now about how he doesn't want to follow the typical route of working 8 hours a day for the next 40 years in hopes of a better "paper sack" down the road. Basically, he wants to attract the rabbits to him. I'm going to recommend the book to him because it discusses the same principles he has been wondering about. If other people can find extraordinary things to do with their lives and support a family, why not us?

What do you guys think?

Got my copy!

Hello from North Carolina! I just got my copy of the book and from what I have read so far it seems pretty great. I am excited to discuss it with ya'll (sorry, that just slips out when I'm back in the South...). If you want to wait for me, I will be back in UT on June 22nd. So, any time after that would work fine for me.

Happy reading!

Date

i got my book! wahoo. :) so, have we decided when we're gonna finish this by to meet?