Have you ever found yourself contemplating the notion that life should unfold in a certain way, guided by the principles of fair play? I can resonate with that sentiment. In my own journey, I’ve encountered instances where I used to object when someone seemingly disregarded the order – whether it was boarding a plane or navigating the freeway exit. I would question, “After all, I was there first, wasn’t I?”
In one introspective moment, I turned to my Higher Self, seeking insights into any hindrances preventing my transition to the 5th Dimension. Surprisingly, the revelation pointed towards my habitual reaction in traffic situations. Taking a proactive stance, I chose to transform my response. I chose to bestow blessings upon those drivers I once labeled as discourteous. Creating a new narrative, I told myself, “Perhaps they’re in more of a hurry than me” or “Maybe they didn’t see me.” Subsequently, I invoked the assistance of angels and dragons to guide them on their journey.
Now, let’s delve into the concept of entitlement, a subtle force that influences our perception of the world and shapes our reactions to life’s challenges. It’s that underlying belief that we inherently deserve a particular treatment, a reward, or an advantage – earned or not.
Recall the friend who invested years of dedication into a job, only to confront a sudden change when the company altered its course? It’s indeed a challenging scenario. Do you think they’d harbor feelings of being let down, or perhaps, would they reflect with gratitude on the years of fulfilling work and stable employment?
I recently engaged in a conversation with a director of sales who navigated a similar situation. Despite catapulting the company’s revenue from $10 million to over $50 million annually, the company’s decision to let her go after 17 years due to a strategic shift did not leave her bitter. In fact, her response was rather unexpected – “They gave me a LOT of money. A lot.” She departed with a sense of earned acknowledgment, holding her head high.
Not everyone experiences such a generous departure package. Let me share a powerful story from Les Brown. He talks about companies offering generous severance packages exceeding $300,000 per person during downsizing. The twist? Only half of those offered “downsize opportunities” took them! Brown’s takeaway is eye-opening – people hesitated to believe in themselves and missed a chance to use the money to create something new.
Let’s rewind the tape of our experiences. Can you recall moments when life seemed unjust? Often, these sentiments trace back to childhood, where the seeds of our beliefs about fairness and treatment are sown. Children possess an innate expectation of fairness, and deviations from this expectation can set the stage for a lifelong dance with entitlement.
As a child nurtured in an environment where fairness is not a mere concept but a consistent practice, as you mature, you may develop an expectation of fair treatment, a perspective that appears inherently healthy. Conversely, if you were exposed to inconsistencies in fairness, you may have this feeling, “When I grow up I will get my way” that may carry forward a heightened sense of entitlement, fueled by a fervent desire to balance the inequity in their childhood experiences. All of it, every bit, takes you through the journey of life adding to the “database” of experiences.
Since there is no more Karma, and you can claim that, you can clear and release many of the wounds from your life. One of the ways to do that is through soul retrieval. The Unify meditation is actually four guided meditations under the Unify title, that will take you through remembering a trauma, and bringing back your cast-off parts of you that helped you survive. This is found in the App, Illuminate. (Android and Apple)
Entitlement can emerge from a fear of change. When individuals feel threatened by changes in their environment or circumstances, they may cling to a sense of entitlement as a way to resist or control the changes, providing a false sense of security.
Entitlement can be a means for individuals to assert control and combat the fear of powerlessness. Feeling entitled gives them a sense of authority and importance, countering any underlying fears of being at the mercy of external circumstances.
Entitlement can emerge from a fear of change. When individuals feel threatened by changes in their environment or circumstances, they may cling to a sense of entitlement as a way to resist or control the changes, providing a false sense of security.
Now let’s talk about ways to proactively seed outcomes that you truly desire. The first of these is gratitude! In times of challenge amidst life’s challenges, direct your focus towards gratitude, initiating a mindful shift that cultivates appreciation for the richness of your experiences. This leads to empathetic perspectives. The infusion of empathy becomes a transformative force, allowing you to step into the shoes of others, thereby softening the rigid contours of entitlement.
Can you find a way into more realistic expectations? How will you do that? While nurturing your expansive dreams, you can accept others to be less than perfect, stepping away from insisting others should behave the way you would, which is a big trigger in the world of entitlement. Instead, choose to anchor yourself in the heart of loving-kindness. In another era, managing entitlement was used to make room for understanding the distinction between legitimate expectations and unrealistic demands. Today, though, no expectation is the ideal.
Meditation can be a guiding light. The practice of self-reflection, often encapsulated in meditation, transcends its conventional associations. It emerges as a potent tool for recognizing and transforming entitled thought patterns. The shift from entitlement to personal responsibility empowers you to steer the course of your actions and outcomes, fostering a profound sense of self-empowerment.
The idea of abundance comes in here. Normally you may not realize how much the universe conforms to your picture of reality. When we see there is not enough time, or I’ve waited my turn (time) you can wait yours… leads to dissatisfaction and disillusionment. If we live in an abundant universe, and we do, there will always be enough, time, money, and love!
In the book, Beyond the Flower of Life, I talk about a “Blow to the Heart” being rocket fuel for mastery. It pushes our hearts to either close down or open even wider. I see a hurt that may hit hard with entitlement energies as a catalyst for growth and transformation. You believe in YOU. Ask God to show you how much you are loved.
View setbacks not as insurmountable obstacles but as catalysts for growth and transformation. Believe steadfastly in your capacity to learn, evolve, and transcend challenges – a belief that will propel you forward on your transformative journey.
Finally, when you feel entitlement starting to take over, consider generosity as the antidote that proves to you (and the object of your objections) that we live in an abundant Universe, and that there is always enough.
How does this work for you? Generosity can be an important Mode of Being. When you engage in acts of kindness, you realize that the joy derived from contributing transcends the self-centric focus of entitlement. If only for one month, BE JOY, express Joy and GIVE JOY.
Happy Holidays.
Love
Maureen
