Dear Reader,
Have you ever heard those stories of lottery winners who win all this money, but end up losing it all?
Or maybe you're familiar with this situation.
Have you ever had a wonderful time with someone, and out of the blue, you suddenly get into a heated argument over something inconsequential?
These may be two seemingly unrelated experiences, but they actually point to the same issue:
The Upper Limit Problem
The Upper Limit Problem says that we all have something in ourselves that's like a thermostat, that is used to experiencing a certain level of comfort.
But when you experience something so good that's beyond what you're used to, many people sabotage themselves, so that you get back to your level of comfort.
So you might be wondering:
Is there a way to raise your inner thermostat, so that you can experience more good than you've known?
Absolutely!
If you want to know how to do that, then keep on reading.
Now let’s get ALIGNED…
Inspirational Quote
"It’s the nature of the universe to give us what we are able to take. It cannot give us more. It has given all, we have not yet accepted the greater gift."
- Ernest Holmes
The Story and The Spiritual Lesson
How much good can you handle?
You might answer, "I can handle it all. Give it to me, Universe!"
But I really wonder, Would you really be able to handle it all?
It goes back to the question I asked earlier.
Why do some lottery winners lose all their winnings?
Some of them even lose more than their winnings, and end up in the negative.
The American psychologist Gay Hendricks came up with the concept of the Upper Limit Problem to explain why we sabotage our own good.
Whether or not you realize it, you have your own inner thermostat for how much good you can experience.
Think about the money you have in your bank account.
There's a certain amount that if you had less money than that in your bank account, you'd start to feel some stress.
And there's probably a certain amount that you like to keep in that bank account where it usually hovers around that number.
You have a certain level of comfort in different areas of life, whether that's money, relationships, health, work, or creativity.
When you experience discomfort, it means that you're out of your comfort zone.
That could be if you are experiencing less than you're used to, as well as when you are experiencing more than you're used to.
So what do you do when you're experiencing more good than you're used to, and you want to keep that good going?
The first step is to notice when something seems off, like:
- You have a great time with someone and suddenly, out of the blue you get into a big fight.
- Someone compliments you and you deflect by not accepting their well wishes.
- A great opportunity shows up and you start worrying about it, focusing on all the things that could go wrong.
- You see some progress in your health journey, and then binge eat all the potato chips and sweets in the house.
- You make an agreement with someone, and then you break that agreement.
When something seems off, ask yourself:
Is this an Upper Limit Problem?
Just asking the question brings you a different perspective about the issue, and you can start to see what's really going on.
If you determine it is an Upper Limit Problem, then this is how you begin to move beyond your upper limit.
Ask yourself these questions:
What do I really want?
Can I believe that I'm equal to experiencing what I really want?
How do I want to show up in my life to be equal to what I really want?
These three questions help you to steer back to your own inner guidance, to who you're called to be.
Here's the spiritual truth:
When you experience an Upper Limit Problem, it's a sign that you are experiencing a growth spurt, an uncomfortable feeling because you're at the edge of becoming more than you know.
You are at life's leading edge!
Your Call to Action
For your coaching assignment for this week, look at this list of common ways that the Upper Limit Problem shows up in life:
- Constant worrying
- Criticizing yourself
- Comparing yourself to others
- Not accepting compliments
- Squabbling with people you care about
- Overspending
- Overeating
- Getting sick at inopportune times
- Acting out of integrity
- Masking your true self and hiding your feelings
- Lying to yourself and to others
If you identify with any one of these, ask yourself: Is this an Upper Limit Problem?
Really think about it, and consider how you're stopping yourself from being your joyous magnificent self.
Then ask the three questions:
- What do I really want?
- Can I believe that I'm equal to experiencing what I really want?
- How do I want to show up in my life to be equal to what I really want?
Take time to delve with each of these questions, with so much love, compassion and kindness to yourself.
If you're experiencing the Upper Limit Problem, here's what I know:
You can transcend the Upper Limit Problem.
Why?
Because you are limitless!
That is your true nature.
Embrace your power.
Allow your good.
And know that you are the Beloved, in whom all of Life is well-pleased.
Abundant Blessings and Namaste.
Abundant Good News and Notes
Interested in exploring the Upper Limit Problem further? You're invited to join us in the Abundant Good Journey, a place where you can be with others in spiritual community with other like-hearted people. Every month we gather on zoom to delve into topics that deepen your practices and allow you to bring greater focus and intentionality to your life, aligned with your heart's highest desire. Our next gathering of the Abundant Good Journey happens this Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 9:30am Pacific Time. The topic is "Beyond Upper Limits." To learn more about the Abundant Good Journey, click here.
Connect with me on LinkedIn: I'm keeping up my practice of posting daily on LinkedIn, to share my latest thoughts, inspirational quotes and spiritual guidance. I'd love to connect with you. Click here to connect with me on LinkedIn.
Thanks for reading ALIGNED!
If you have any questions or want to share what you thought about this newsletter, hit reply and let me know.
Abundant Blessings,
Joselito Laudencia
Spiritual Life Coach, Teacher, Speaker
Author, The Creative Impulse: Answering the Highest Calling of Your Heart
www.abundantgood.com
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