(Crossposted from www.insidewealth.net)

Thank you for joining me on Inside Wealth. I feel fantastic and my life is an amazing blessing (to me!), even though I have more than my share of moments which feel most ordinary (including my share of "downers.") For example, I woke up today to find my best reading glasses busted by one of the kids. I left them on my son's bed and someone used the bed as a trampoline. The result: as Mick Jagger used to sing "sh-doobie... shattered" I got pissed off for a few minutes and found out (again) that it didn't really solve anything. And it doesn't change my sense that it's a miracle that I (or any of us) are even alive!

So, notwithstanding life's disappointments and losses, I feel like I'm one of the richest persons on Earth, even if I may not have as much money as you or others you know.

I want you to live a life of joy and prosperity... because it feels so great! And because we are all in this together. One thing about I have learned about wealth... I am richer when I share than when I hoard!

So, how can I best be of service to you?

Do you want to discover greater meaning in your life?

Do you want practical exercises that simply lift your spirits and enrich your life?

Do you want to learn how to make more money... so that you can enjoy the wonderful experiences that money can buy?

Do you want to learn how to talk about money matters more effectively with your family members?

Do you want to find out about investment opportunities that make money and do good in the world?

What do you want discussed on the program? And who do you want on as a guest to discuss them?

Please let me know. I am at your service.

All my best,

Stu

(Crossposted from www.insidewealth.net)

As we discuss on our July 8-9 show, money, and the pursuit thereof, can easily be our auto-pilot. The media has certainly lulled us into believing that success is measured in dollar terms, right? That "It's not personal, it's just business," and "You can't be too rich or too thin."

It is written that "The Truth will set you free." And, isn't freedom the reason we accumulate money, for the freedom of choice and the freedom from fear that it can convey?

So, with that in mind, let's play a game that everyone can love, The Road to Riches... financially and beyond! It's like a game show... and here's your three questions....

1. What is my truth about money?

2. What do I value most?

3. What legacy do I want to leave for my time on the planet?

As advertised... here's my response.

1. What is my truth about money?

My truth is that money is just energy and, like water, it absorbs whatever we put into it. When I put fear of insufficiency or scarcity into it, it feels like I never have enough and I feel insecure, if not miser-able. And I know that feeling all too well!

When I focus on money with a sense of gratitude and as a means to do good in the world, it feels like a true blessing and a source of joy to me... and others.

Ultimately, my sense is that money is simply a means to an end. So, money is as money does.

2. What do I value most?

I value freedom... just to be and to express my thoughts and feelings... above all else. That's why I really love our country and what we stand for at the core. And, it's certainly something I take for granted alot of the time. I shudder to think what my life would be like without freedom of speech, religion or expression.

For me, this freedom, at its finest, translates into love and deep connection with others (family and friends) and with something greater than us - what I call God, first and foremost. I also deeply value my responsibility for making a positive contribution to society because I believe that we are all creations of the One. That said, I also highly value laughter and fun becuse it feels so good!

I find that when I allocate money into these areas I value most, I feel really rich.

3. What legacy do I want to leave for my time on the planet?

The legacy I want to leave is to be an agent for positive change. I want to be a great role model for my children to be loving and caring, because I want them to love their lives. I want to leave my wife with a sense of appreciation for our life together. And, I am dedicated to enriching humanity through uplifting our understanding of money/wealth, the role of the media in facilitating this evolution and having fun in the process (because it can be!) At the end of my days, I hope it is said about me, "He lived, he loved, he laughed, he inspired, he expired."

All right, I showed you mine... now it's your turn.

Please share your answers to these questions because your answers can really help to enrich your life. You can post them anonymously through a pseudonym, so give yourself permission to be completely honest.

And have fun with these questions... it doesn't have to be so heavy, you know.

Thanks in advance for playing along... and whether you do or not, I ask you for a favor. Would you please remind me of what I wrote in this blog as my own truth for those moments when I forget? I need all the help I can get! Thank you in advance for that!

To your wealth... inside and out!

Stu
stu@insidewealth.net
707-425-2360

(Crossposted from www.insidewealth.net)

The question of the week:

"What's my truth about money?"

I have cried over money concerns, had intense arguments with my wife about money matters, sleepless nights, self-judgment that I wasn't as "good" as other people because I didn't make as much money as they did, you name it. I have lived years of my life when making money was more important to me than God. In fact, in that part of my life, I think money was my God.

And, based upon my observations, I think my experience of money is shared by many of us.

At times for me, it seems to flow effortlessly and at other times it's like I'm in the Sahara Desert looking for a drop of water.

In fact, money is energy like water - it absorbs whatever we put into it. Put in fear, scarcity and a sense of "not enough"... and we get insecure, into survival mode and a mind-set of "what's in it for me?" Put in hope, honesty and desire to be of service... and we get values-based business, philanthropy and stewardship that leads to a better quality of life for all.

To me, money is as money does.

And one primary way to make money is to find a demand and fill it. More often than not, that demand is for truthfulness, excellent quality of product or service, for a trusted relationship and ultimately, to improve the quality of life somehow.

So my ultimate truth about money is that there is plenty to go around, more than enough for each of us, when we do our best to be of service to each other. All we need to do is love what we do, be of service to others around us and do our best to excel. Let our inner wealth spring forth to generate our outer wealth.

And ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! Bill Gates with $46 Billion, internet communications, what have you. 9/11, suicide bombers and Affluenza are one side of the spectrum of possiblities. Global peace and unprecedented prosperity are also a possibility, too. I say, "Let's put more time, energy and money into that."

Yeah, today the world has mixed-up priorities at times - like insufficient pay for child-care yet tons of dough to ineffective CEOs. And still there are too many success stories from people who leverage their virtues, not short-cut them, to make plenty of money. (Listen to our show archives for more.)

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE...

What do you think?

To your wealth, inside and out...

Stu
stu@insidewealth.net
707-425-2360

(Crossposted from www.insidewealth.net)

This is the question of the week.

"What do you say, 'YES!' to?"

I say YES! to: (in no particular order)

being free
being creative
being playful
being peaceful
being joyful
being respectful
being irreverent, (not in a malicious way)
being abundant, (yes, that means financial wherewithal)
being truthful
being on purpose
being of service
being present (focusing on the here and now, more than the past or future)
being open to the field of infinite possibilities (aka uncertainty, the journey)
being unconditional in love (easier said than done!)

being One with the Creator present in all things
being unattached to what it is called (God, Spirit, Universal Mind, Enlightenment, the Unified Field...)


Just because I say "YES!" do these things, doesn't mean that it's not new for me. Quite the contrary, it requires "un-learning" much of what I have been taught, socialized and conditioned to believe about myself, the world, God and life itself. As a result, it requires consistent vigilience and practice for me.. and I say YES! to my own evolution and expanding consciousness. I find it challenging, liberating, rewarding and FUN!

Enough about me.


"What do you say, 'YES!' to?"

In joy,

Stu

(Crossposted from www.insidewealth.net)

There are a lot of personal stories about 9/11. We all have them. I had acquaintances in the financial community who died that day. I had been in those buildings myself a dozen or so times in prior years.

For me, I received some life lessons that have changed my outlook on life and therefore my actions. And I continue to learn and unfold in this very moment as a result of the events on 9-11-01. Hopefully, I never cease to unfold.

Here were my takeaways:

1. It was only by the grace of God or sheer randomness that I was not in the World Trade Center that day. Or that I haven't died in some other act of terror or random accident so far. For me, it was a wake up call to put my life to greater use.

2. The unthinkable occurred. Right here on our soil. If something so horrible can occur, if human beings are capable of such disregard for human life and such hatred, then the spectrum of possibilities has been expanded.

So it occured to me, that if the diabolical is possible, then the opposite end of the spectrum must be possible as well.

Why not a world of global peace and unprecedented prosperity? If blowing each other up is a real possibility, then so is being of service to each other.

3. Don't take things for granted or give into "That's just the way it is" mentality. Everything we think is concrete (literally and figuratively) can go just like that. See through all the current structures as simply a moment in time.
Re-vision what can be.

4. I learned that we are all inter-connected... even more so through technology (both with respect to communications and ammunitions) than ever before. If people at the other end of the world place little value on life or if we place more value on money than on human life, it will affect us and them. We are both independent and inter-dependent.


5. I learned not to settle for anything less than what I know in my heart to be true. I had been living under the premise that I am simply one person - what can I possibly do to make the world more peaceful, more loving? Well, 9/11 showed me that the world can easily blow itself up or that we can live in a world dominated by fear and survival.

9/11 helped me to tap into my heart and know the truth that I have very little interest in survival. I want to thrive!!! And because we are inter-connected, that also means being of service to help others go beyond their survival needs, so they can thrive too!

6. To quote Nike, "Just go for it!" Hey, life is short... or certainly can be. I see the possiblity of a world that is loving, caring, repsectful and peaceful. What better way to spend my time on the planet? Yeah, I may not live to see all of it. I do know I can't necessarily rely on anyone else to do it all for me. And I also know, you get what you settle for.

What does all this mean? For me, it's simply a matter of priorities and where we place our attention, time, energy and money. I love being alive and thriving... don't you? What better way to live, than to have passion, purpose and bring joy to people?

If global peace and unprecedented prosperity were achievable in our lifetime, what role would you want to play?

So, I showed you mine... how has 9/11 affected you?

To our peace and wealth,

Stu

(Crossposted from www.insidewealth.net)

From an original e-mail sent Thursday, October 26, before Game 4

Hello my friend -

I am living a big dream of mine and want to share my joy with you. Being at the World Series, in St. Louis, rooting for my beloved Cards to win the World Championship.

Well, we got rained out last night.

Now it's The Field of Wet Dreams!

And, in a related story suitable for Ripley, I got a call on the cell Monday morning... the called ID said, "Anonymous."

I answered the call and it was none other than Tony La Russa, Mgr. of the St. Louis Cardinals, asking me if I was coming to St. Louis for Tuesday's Game 3 of the Series.

Imagine that!!!

The Manager of the National League Champion Saint Louis Cardinals calling me, a lifetime Cardinal fan (despite living in St. Louis for only 2 yrs. over 40 yrs. ago), to see if I was coming to the game!!! As if he had nothing else to focus on!!!

This is my version of SHOCK and AWE!!!

The purpose of his call was to confirm that he secured some tickets for me in the Bank of America Suite, great seats and all you can eat and drink. And we're talking carving station with brisket, smoked turkey and chicken cordon bleu... not just wieners and Cracker Jacks.

How suite it is!!!

Especially, last night, when we were completely protected from the nasty elements of rain and 40 degree chill. I had my own version of The Big Chill going on with great friends coming in from New York and Madison to join my wife, Hollin, and me for the festivities.

Being with people I love, men or women, where even if you don't see them for a few years... when you're together, it's just like no time has passed. That's success that money will never buy!

I am playing in The Field of Dreams right now, wet or dry...

I'll fill you in next e-mail with yesterday's serendipitous meeting of baseball icon Tommy Lasorda (former Dodgers Mgr.) and Dusty Baker (former Giants and Cubs Mgr.) at St. Louis restaurant Charlie Gitto's. Hopefully, I'll have more tales of Cardinal victory to share as well...

Thank you Tony La Russa, Neal Mitchell and Randy Williams for your roles in my fantasy-turned-reality!

Anything is possible... even our grandest dreams...

In love and joy,

Stu

(Crossposted from www.insidewealth.net)

Original e-mail sent Friday, October 27, before game 5

(scroll down to read the 1st installment of this Series)

Hello, it's me (not Todd Rundgren for you '70's music buffs) -

What a game!!! A see-saw battle... suspense right down to the last fevered pitch. The energy in the stadium, especially in the 8th and 9th innings, was beyond electric... soul-ar maybe?

We were all kids again... hootin', hollerin', jumpin' up n down, waving rally towels.

I couldn't help but wonder... that just maybe "being mature" is highly overrated. And that irrational exuberance is an oxymoron! Doesn't it make logical sense to be enthusiastic, to be in passion and joy?

My friend, Bruce, my wife Hollin and I met, most serendipitously, baseball legends Tommy Lasorda and Joe Garagiola at a St. Louis restaurant, Charlie Gitto's. Upon mentioning to Joe that I host a radio show, Inside Wealth, that's about the kind of wealth that money can't buy, he took ten minutes with us at our table sharing what he calls his daily "Left-handed" prayer. (As serendipity would further have it, I'm a lefty to boot!) A Catholic, Joe says this simple prayer beats no prayer at all.

"Dear God, as I walk down this street,
May I be Your arms and be Your feet."

Joe's in his 80's now. And he had the gleam in his eye of someone who truly enjoys simply being alive... laughing, playing and doing good.

Well, it's just about 4:00 pm local time and the gates to the stadium open in an hour. I can feel my own energy rise with the anticipation of another Cardinal victory... this one for the whole enchilada... The World Championship! I can't even begin to imagine the pandemonium of sheer ecstasy should we be graced with the final win here at home TONIGHT!...

With all due respect to the late Jim Morrison, I am now, "Mr. Mojo Risin'"!!!

Enough with the typing... GO CARDS!!!!!

Love,

Stu

(Crossposted from www.insidewealth.net)

From original e-mail sent Sunday, October 29

(Scroll down to read the 1st two installments)

Hello again, my friend,

My airplane and physical body landed back in Oakland yesterday... yet my spirit is still soaring!

I held this dream, reawakened from my childhood... a vision of a St. Louis Cardinal World Series victory in St. Louis, for all the hometown fans to relish, firmly in mind's eye for months. No matter how bleak the circumstances... and along the way there were some pretty dark moments as the Cardinals went into a tailspin and nearly lost their right to be in playoffs altogether, in what would have been a collapse of historic proportions.

So poorly did the Cards play down the stretch of the regular season (barely hanging on like a loose tooth) and so mediocre was their overall record, that all the pundits and oddsmakers heavily favored every single post-season opponent they played (Padres, Mets and finally the Tigers). One guy in USA Today even predicted the Tigers would win the World Series in 3 games!

Clearly, in this context, my vision was a pipe dream, wishful thinking beyond reason.

Game by game, the Cards somehow found away to beat the odds-on favorites and defy the critics. After splitting two games in Detroit, they needed to win all 3 games in St. Louis for my dream to be realized. No small task under any circumstances, let alone as an underdog.

After winning games 3 and 4 (game 4 itself was a game for the ages), the anticipation and buzz of the St. Louis hopeful going into Game 5 was off the charts. We all lived and breathed every pitch and every play as one huge organism. Contemplating strategy and potential consequences as one mind. Hoping and praying with one heart. And with the final out, a strike out, with the potential tying runs on base, we erupted.

It was like 46,000 people having a simultaneous orgasm after a year of foreplay! (Good thing they gave us rally towels!)

So perfect. Even perfect strangers hugging, high fiving, patting each other on the back. One family.

I even gave myself permission to allow tears of joy to flow freely. Tears of joy... the greatest feeling in the world for me.

One big happy family. This was my ultimate BIG childhood dream... reawakened through this one.

My BIG dream is to live in a world in which our primary focus is how we can best serve, care for and play with each other. Just like one big family.

Yep. Helping each other, loving and having fun. A world of peace and play. That's my vision. Simple, yet unlikely. And.... The Cards won in 5!!!

This Cardinal dream-come-true gives me firsthand physical knowing that "anything IS possible!" Even if it seems highly improbable. Or too idealistic. Even though a "what's in it for me" mentality is deeply rooted in our collective psyche, I know in my heart that we can master team spirit and be one big family together... whoever we are.

Your outpouring of unsolicited responses to my last two e-mails touches me so deeply. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you for sharing your own passion for baseball or for simply acknowledging the timeless beauty of seeing life, joy and wonder through the eyes of a child (even if it's a "big kid" like me).

And I couldn't help but feel that all of your support and well wishes somehow contributed to the ultimate fulfillment of this dream. Just like people in St. Louis thought that I personally willed the Cards to victory somehow through my clarity and purity of intention. Some Card trick!

Thank you again for your support and your friendship. And thank you, Tony La Russa and team, for making my life's highlight reel.

And in the immortal words of Steve Tyler of Aerosmith (who screeched "God Bless America" on game 3 of the NLCS)... "Dream on... Dream on... DREAM ON! DREAM UNTIL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE!"


Live from Cloud 10,

Stu

(Crossposted from www.insidewealth.net)

Here's some of the unsolicited replies we received to our e-mail missive on the World Series:

stu,
great game last night
i'm a long time cardinals fan, tough to be growing up around new york
battling yankees and mets fans

one of my prize possessions is a vial of home plate dirt from the
final game in 1982, a friend ran out on the field and dove to scoop
up the dirt,

i hope the vial is obsoleted by a more recent vintage!
andy Kessler

Andy: Security's been beefed up a bit since '82. That's the dirt! Stu

and

Stu--
What a great story. Thanks for sharing it.
LaRussa...what a class act. I'm a die-hard Red Sox guy...you know,
the kind who can't even acknowledge that there might be other pro
teams out there...but LaRussa is one of those guys I really have to
take my hat off to...

Jeff from Palo Alto, CA

Jeff: OK, so now you're even for '67 when the Red Birds shed the Red Sox in 7. Stu

And this one from Willy in Tampa who found us virally thru an email forwarded to him by another listener…

Having just received a forwarded version of the inspiring e-letter you sent out, and being someone who has rooted for the Cards since the days of Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Curt Flood, Tim McCarver, etc., I thought I'd just say "Thanks"... for reminding me that I'm not alone... for affirming, by example, that there's room inside of each of us for both the "child" and the "adult"... for acknowledging my own unhindered enthusiasm, passion and gratitude for life (which I've gotten "looks" for expressing throughout my entire life), by letting yours fly freely in the wind
Amen, Brother... Amen!
I hope we can meet someday, Stu... I think it'll feel like shaking the hand of a man I can really relate to :-)
Your Pal from Afar,
Willy
PS: They just won, man!!!

Willy: Isn't being mature a little over-rated? Stu
And the comments went far beyond baseball, just reveling in someone living a dream…

What great experiences! Indeed, it does show that dreams can come true! Thanks for the example.

-Georgette from San Jose

Stu.... that is awesome beyond belief....superlove..... thanks for sharing your dreams.... Ken from Santa Monica

Loved the update, felt like I was eating Brisket WITH YOU, IMAGINE THAT, ANYTHING IS TRULY POSSIBLE. Carista, Petaluma, vegetarian

Carista - Glad I gave you something more substantial to chew on ;-) ! Stu


Your happiness is communicable. Your message brought a big smile to my face.

All the best, Matt from Piedmont

Matt: Mission accomplished! Stu

Dear Stu,
Your enthusiasm and sheer euphoria about the series raised my spirits. Thank you for sharing. Congratulations and many blessings,
All good wishes always,
Marilyn Tam from Santa barbara, former guest, former CEO of Aveda and rEebok Apparel

I'm thrilled to hear that your reality far exceeds my imagination!

Have a blast, my friend!

Kalon


In my next life I want to come back as you!

Todd from Seattle

Todd: In my next life, I want to come back as my friend Enocha’s dog… Stu

There were also some profound observations:

Good for you dear friend -- so deserving -- what I love most about the photo is that it shows you listening with your WHOLE HEART -- I think that's how and why you are so successful -- listening is the key!

Enjoy this amazing time.

xxx

Brenda from Montclair, NJ


And

Wow, Stu, I'm jealous!!! But go Cardinals. I'm rooting for them as well.
And your soooo right, money never bought true friends and in the long run
friendship is the only thing that truly matters.

Tom, from SF
and

Your mention of perfect strangers interacting and sharing emotions reminded me of two situations here in New York. First, I went to game 6 and 7 of the Series in 1986. I lived in Manhattan then, so I took the subway back and forth. After each game of those two emotional games, the ride back in the subway car was like being with 100 l of your best friends -- people hugging and high fiving perfect strangers. It was an amazing scene, almost as memorbable as the games.

And then there was 9-11-01. In the aftermath, people shared their utter grief, disbelief and fear with perfect strangers. The whole country was affected, but it was palpable here in New York as you can well imagine.

And so it appears that intense emotional experiences, both high and low, have a way of bringing people and communities together.

Here's hoping that the future is full of many, many more positive emotional experiences like the Cardinals winning the World Series.

Andy from Scarsdale


And finally these two emails address a larger issue:


Yes, the challenge is how to get your arms and energy around the masses so we are pulling together in harmony...How to bottle the energy and love you felt in St Louis??
Jack, Sebastopol

How wonderful to have ones dreams come true. In your case it is well deserved. AND I SHARE YOUR FAR MORE IMPORTANT DREAMS FOR THIS VERY TROUBLED WORLD WE LIVE IN.

My best

Peter, CEO of a medical device co., Novato, CA

Please feel free to post your thoughts or comments...

Stu

(Crossposted from www.insidewealth.net)

The whole conversation on this week's show with Dave Batstone about the global slave trade really got me thinking. I'm usually Mr. Joy Boy, because it is such a blessing to be alive... why not enjoy? That said, it is also true, that to expand this wealth of being, some practices and habits need to evolve.

So, in the spirit of Peter Finch in the movie, "Network," - here's what I'm "MAD AS HELL" about.

1. The media news reporting. Where did our investigative jounalists go? Network news has turned into the Anna Nicole Smith show. It's all about profit, not information and public service.

2. Speaking of public service, why don't our elected officials serve us instead of using the power we have given them for cronyism and their own personal gain?

3. And, why can't our elected officials have private lives? Frankly, I'd rather have someone in office who is competent first and foremost, and what they do with their personal life... who are we to judge? We are all human last I checked. At this point, our most qualified and competengt leaders would rather not serve, given media scrutiny into their personal lives.

4. Poltical campaigns should have spending limits. Period. Not only would that mrror the economic reality of their post, they would think about the waste of mud slinging.

5. Go after the back dating of stock options with vigor. These executives who bilk the shareholders are criminals!

6. Hidden charges and fees. Corporations - charge what you think is fair. Just tell us in big print in advance. This goes for re-stocking fees on returns and rebate programs.

7. People who only give when they have something specific to gain.

8. I feel that religion does us a disservice by not encouraging uncondtional love in practice more often. we've been conditioned that unconditional love is only for our children and parents - our bloodlines. Everybody else has to earn it - even our spouse - what a crock! And how hypocritical of our religious leaders not to acknowledge that God, that which is infiinite and Creator of us all, may have many ways to commune with It.

9. And, war has got to go. Haven't we matured and evolved in consciousness to find other ways to resolve our differences without killing each other!?

10. I'm tired of our society putting money on a higher pedestal than God. Asset-backwards. This is what terror is gravitating to. Because we have poured so much fear... fear of scarcity, fear of not being good enough so that we need money to be our scorecard... into money that war and disconnection with our one humanity will only expand.

Our whole story around money, God and uncondtional love is due for revision. What do you think?

What aspects of life do you want to change?... NOW!

Stu

(Crossposted from www.insidewealth.net)

This is horrific beyond words.

Unlike other acts of terror around the world, there is no organization like Al-Qaeda or Hezbollah to retaliate against.

The media is sensationalizing this story, spreading fear this senseless act instills because it's good for business.

To have so many young, innocent lives taken needlessly, it can rock the faith of even the most devoted. How can a loving God allow for such human suffering?

It is clear that Cho took his life and the lives of others because he felt isolated and so disconnected to the sanctity and value of human life. Not that this is a justification of his actions, because nothing justifies this atrocity. Nothing.

And still we can use this tragedy to transform ourselves and humanity to a higher standard of being.

It certainly shows that we are deeply inter-connected, as evidenced by how profoundly we are affected by this horrible event to total strangers.

It also serves as a reminder, even as there is so much beyond our control in this life, that we do have the power as to where we place our attention every moment.

Through the internet and our global economy, our world is shrinking. We need to place more of our attention on our common humanity, on being truthful, caring and respectful with each other, on building our own character and inspiring others, on instilling trust.

As this horrifying tragedy cuts through our layers of ego and personal stories to the core, it touches our very essence as spirits in human form. It gives us a greater sense of our own mortality. And, hopefully, a greater sense of gratitude for being alive. What if each of us spent more moments every day focused on this?

How could we evolve, individually and collectively?

What do you think? How do you feel?