I Shall not Want: A Formula for Untold Riches

Image via Wikipedia Elsewhere I have written that what makes me enjoy a full night’s sleep is Psalm 23 –the first four verses. This is my passport to dream land. But I want to share something else, not just for when we retire for the night, but our daily lives. For many years I’ve been using one single formula to get through the day in a way that is productive, fulfilling, and joyful. While many people use affirmations and have all sorts of poems, sayings, aphorisms, prayers, and the like—I have only one: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” This first verse of Psalm 23 is all I need. That the Lord is my shepherd is a certainty; only the arrogant and atheists will deny that each and every one of us have a divine lordship that watches over us. But if we are humble and recognize that the good Lord is there for us, we will reap the untold bounty of living a good life. But what I find most rewarding is the complement: “I shall not want.” This snippet means that nothing in this planet earth, nor in any other physical world, or in dream, or much less in God’s kingdom, may not be my possession. “I shall not want” means that everything is available to me. To lots of people –this verse ‘I shall not want’—means that they should curtail their wishes and desires. How wrong this interpretation is! ‘I shall not want’ is the Lord's permit for us not to lack anything, not to miss anything, not to be forbidden anything, not to be vetoed anything. Thus we can become our desires, or our desires can become us. John Milton in his poem Paradise Lost, tells us: "The World was all before them where to choose Their place of rest and Providence Their guide: They hand in hand with wandering steps and slow Through Eden took, Their solitaire way." Picture Adam and Eve and "The world was all before them," where the good Lord in his infinite kindness placed no limits--the whole world was there for them. Nothing was forbidden them in the new world. Nothing is forbidden to us either; that is the meaning of “I shall not want.” I have used this verse as a daily affirmation in every day of my adult life. It gets me through the day; it makes me productive, it makes me ambitious, knowing that nothing that I want is impossible because the Lord (Providence) is my shepherd (guide). Success is for All of Us! Inferiority Complex? 3 Qualities for Success The Best Leader? How I Manage my Time Adam Smith and Wealth Born to Lead or to Follow? Boethius and Fortune Be Employee of the Month Everyday Pascal on Love and Fidelity Think and Grow Rich Self-Esteem and Poise George Berkeley: Idealism Being Rich Critical Theory Glossary Famous People in Western Culture Formula for Untold Riches If you are interested in seeing how I achieved personal success in the United States, you may find my book of short stories East of Tiffany's interesting. Some of the stories are based on my life as an executive, investment banker, and financial adviser to wealthy investors in the East Side of Manhattan. Close to half-million people have read East of Tiffany's so far. Order your copy from either Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble. Since English is my second language, Mary Duffy --a master of the English language-- aided me not only with the editing, but she also contributed her own stories. I love her writing in "When You Wish Upon a Star." This is a story based on a personal friend's life. Senada Selmani, model To write great blogs, e-mails, term papers, essays, or fiction - Get Mary Duffy's Sentence Openers Itching to Become a Writer? Visit Mary Duffy's Storefront

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