July 2014 Snake Oil

Snake Oil

More and More Stuff

About a year ago a client gave me a pair of expensive sunglasses. While I appreciated her generosity, it is rare for me to own anything as extravagant as a pair of $300.00 sunglasses. I’m content to have a $30.00 pair and consider them to be just as valuable. In fact, owning a pair of expensive sunglasses might make me overly concerned about whether I would lose or break them. My client gave them to me partly out of generosity, but more to spite her husband. Her wealthy, overbearing spouse was playing all kinds of manipulative games of power and control with her. She contemplated throwing them away but recognized that it would be a far more brutal retaliation to give them to me. He doesn’t believe in therapists and any form of “metaphysical mumbo jumbo,”so I am guessing she would purposely tell him she gave them to me. While I didn’t want to get caught up in their domestic retaliation war, the sunglasses were innocent. If they were going to be thrown away it was probably better for me to take them.

I have never been one to put much energy into “showy acquisition.” I drive a moderate car and shop for most of my clothes at places like Ross and Burlington’s. While I am very much a fan of being comfortable and consider it a high priority, most of the things I own are not expensive items. I briefly went through a stage in my late teens when I wanted designer labels and high-priced items. However, this stage was extremely brief. By the time I reached my early twenties, I realized I was more interested in comfort, not glitter. Owning expensive things makes me more likely to get upset if I lose them. It also carries the trap of being too concerned about what could happen to the material things I might make too important. Expensive items can be stolen, they can break, they often require upkeep, and I simply never wanted to deal with all of that added worry.

In order to earn more money, I worked forty-five hours a week in my early twenties for about one year. I waited on tables at two different jobs. I made more money but realized that I preferred a little less money and more free time over the extra income. I think almost everyone has a few areas where they can be somewhat extravagant. I think there is nothing wrong with having a few areas in life where we have sophisticated tastes. Some people like expensive meals at restaurants. Some people like to own fine jewelry. Many people want to have the best looking home on the block. Some people spend exorbitant amounts of money on plastic surgery just to make their bodies look perfect. My biggest extravagance, in most of my friends and family’s eyes, are my trips to Las Vegas five or six times a year. They are surprised that I spend so much money on these trips and a few other vacations. The truth is, Vegas is one of the least expensive places for me to travel to. My mathematical skills give me an edge that most people don’t have when they gamble. When I play, I typically play low stakes and occasionally even win. My rooms and all of my meals are comped; these trips usually cost me very little in comparison to what most people spend on vacations. It’s actually far less costly for me to spend three days of luxury in Vegas than three days in San Diego (even though I do love San Diego!), where I have to pay for hotel rooms and meals.

I have never been interested in the “he who dies with the most toys wins” philosophy. I attribute this to being an “old soul.” Having lived many lifetimes, I think one begins to acquire wisdom and an ability to see how little value there is in obsessive acquisition. The more we strive to acquire things and get caught in the grips of greed, the more we will inevitably suffer. When taken to an extreme, competitiveness and voracity can be very unattractive. An obsessive need to have the best cars, largest house, designer shoes, and even the most elaborate parties (see if you can make it through an episode of the television show My Sweet Sixteen to know what I mean) carries a heavy price tag. When we get caught up with “keeping up with the Jones” we will probably eventually lose. Someone will always have more money and better “stuff.” We will feel like we have failed, or need to work harder to compete. If we have to work long hours at a job we don’t really enjoy, are we wealthy and successful or just a slave to the system of acquisition? 

I have also run across people who live at the far end of the bell curve in relation to having too much stuff. There are people who look with utter disdain at anything that smacks of materialism. This type of perspective is sometimes found among metaphysical people. Having been in the New Age world for many years, I have also run into a few people who consider any type of acquisition, or even the maintenance and needs of our bodies as lacking in spiritual worthiness. About five years ago, I received a message on my answering machine that was the epitome of the nuttiness of people who are far to the other extreme:

“Hi Jim, my name is Serendipity, a client gave me your name. We have a lot in common. I have been studying crystals, and I read Tarot cards. Right now I don’t have a home or a phone. I don’t believe in overvaluing material things, and choose not to participate in that kind of negativity. It will be difficult for you to reach me but I would like to talk. I will give you a friend’s phone number. He is really hard to reach also but if you keep trying he might be able to find me. His number is....”
I felt very little guilt when I erased this silly message from my voicemail and never returned the call.

We are born into physical body for a reason. When we pass back into spirit we will have no need for this vehicle, but while we are alive it is important to deal with the care, feeding, maintenance, and practical needs of the body. Having a comfortable home, a job we enjoy, some nice things, tools that help us to communicate with each other and a few luxuries to sweeten the experience are no less valuable than our spirituality. Too many spiritual seekers try to rise above the needs of the body. I often remind these types that it is very difficult to pay for your phone bill or air-conditioning in the hot summer with “good intentions” and “positive thoughts.” Money and “things” are a necessity and it is not wise to completely avoid this aspect of life. 

When it comes to acquisition I follow the perspective that comfort is what matters most. The things I acquire are tools to help me to enjoy the things that are of real value. I prefer to have memorable experiences over expensive possessions: meaningful conversations with friends. The happy relief I experience the first cool night in Arizona in October when I can open the front and back door and turn off the A/C, has nothing to do with material things. Cuddling up with my mate in a comfy bed is not really about having an expensive bed. When I see my clients excited about developing their intuitive abilities I feel a sense of wealth. My nephews’ excited reactions to a creative gift I recently sent them cost very little, but it had another type of value. It was memorable and fun, and it reminded them that their Uncle does care about them. The home I own brings comfort and security to the people, plants, and animals that are part of my life. It is not impressive by any means, but it is really cozy. Any piece of beautiful music, book, or a movie that makes me go mushy inside is priceless. Philosopher Art Buchwald said it perfectly: “The best things in life aren’t things.”

Jim Ventura 1-2008

Editors note:

This column was originally written in early 2008. the reference to MTV’s my Sweet Sixteen marks this! The sunglasses lasted about a year, I had a car accident about a year later in 2009 and when I went to pull my stuff from my totaled car (a woman ran a stop sign because she was texting and drinking a cup of coffee) I forgot that they were even in the car and simply left them behind. Just another reminder of how much importance I place on “stuff.”

Last month’s Creating Prosperity class went very well! I have a small waiting list of people who couldn’t get into the June class, so I am rescheduling another beginner class for early September. More information about this is in this newsletter. Grab one of the remaining spots while there are still a few left. I will also be doing an advanced class on how to market your own business in October. Students who took Creating Prosperity One will be first to have an option for taking one of the 8 spots. If there are openings after that I will allow anyone who wants to attend to join us. Creating Prosperity is not about being wealthy. It is more about recognizing that we each hold the keys to creating security and we can decide for ourselves what our level of success will be!

We are smack in the middle of summer. I love living in phoenix, but the summer months can be a real test. Monsoon season usually begins around mid July, so we will get a little relief. I bought a portable standing air conditioning unit for my bedroom. While I already have central air, my goal was to take some of the pressure off the roof unit. They can be quite costly to replace. The portable unit is amazing. Even at a 79 degree setting my bedroom is almost cold. My cat was scared of the noise it made for the first week or two, now it’s hard to get her to leave that room!

I haven’t been back east in almost four years and I am taking a trip back to New York in early October (where I am from originally). It will be great to get back east and to see family and friends. I moved away 24 years ago, and I’d I would go back more often, but I just don’t like flying. It’s not a fear of flying-just seems to be way overpriced, and I seem to get pulled out and molested by security about one out of every four times. I am not sure why they pull me out and go through my stuff so frequently, but it seems to happen too often! The last time I flew to Las Vegas, they searched me and my carry-on because I had a cigar cutter in with the 18 cigars I brought with me, ugh...

2014 has been a really good year. I reached the number one spot on Yelp recently. Special thanks to all the thoughtful clients who put reviews up about me. The positive karma of helping me to reach more people and be prosperous will be coming your way. You already put it in motion...

Wishing everyone a happy Summer, Cheers, Jim V

Channeled corner. I read many, many books from different trance channelers in the 80s and 90s. Unfortunately many of them are now out of print, but I still have a huge collection and will share some of the best material I have collected over the years.

A projection into the future from Seth  quoted from Spirit Speaks magazine

“Fear is the opposite of love. Fear is based upon not knowing, upon preparing for the unknown, for what might happen, for that which is not actually present in the moment. Fear is based totally upon future projection, which comes from evaluating the past, not only of your own lives but of other’s, and drawing deductions about what might happen to you in the future. This is what your insurance companies do; they project at what age you are likely to get sick, be disabled, or die, how many of you are likely to do that, and in what way.

Now, read enough statistics and you will necessarily start making yourself believe that this must be the way it is. And, in this way, society, group mind, and industry dictate the nature of your beliefs. Metaphysically, fear is the opposite of love, the opposite of love based upon the absence of knowledge, because you can love and be comfortable with that which you know. It is always the unknown that you fear the most.” Seth

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who are alive.” Howard Thurman

Current classes:

CREATING PROSPERITY

Quite a few people have struggled with some financial difficulties in the last few years. The recession/depression that began in 2008 was a difficult period for many people. The economy has continued to improve, and this is a good thing. Yet, we always have the power and ability to tap into our potential to create prosperity, no matter what is happening around us!

Learning to open a doorway to living in abundance is possible. We can manifest prosperity in many different areas: career, finances, love life, personal happiness, etc...This class will focus on many different methods for generating personal wealth. Learn how to change beliefs and perspectives relating to finances as you uncover the blocks that currently keep you stuck. This is what creating prosperity is all about! The universe will support your decision to change your reality. Instructor Jim Ventura will discuss practical and metaphysical tools to show you how to create prosperity in your life. Sunday September 7th. noon- 2:30 pm. A maximum of 8 people for this home class (minimum of 4 to hold). $20.00 prepaid before August 25th or $25.00 on day of the class. Current Regular clients receive $5 off on the cost of this class. 

“In Order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.” Bill Cosby

Snake Oil Radio

Thursdays at 3:30 pm (there will be two live broadcasts this month)

My next live broadcast of Snake Oil Radio will be Thursday, July 11th, at 3:30 p.m. (MST -AZ doesn’t use daylight savings time). Almost every Thursday you can catch a new show. Each 45 minute show will expand on my current column’s subject matter. It will also offer an opportunity for you to call in live (or chat with other listeners in the chat room) with comments and your thoughts about the topic of discussion. Halfway through some of the shows you can even ask me for a free 5 minute mini reading with your personal question. If you miss the live show, you can catch any of my previously recorded shows on the web site’s archive. You can also catch Snake Oil Radio on I-tunes (download my pod-casts there).

To hear a live show, all you need to do is be at a computer and tuned into: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Jim-Ventura  You may also access it by going to blogtalkradio.com. Type “Snake Oil” into the search option.

You can also go to the shows that are currently “On air” at that time and find me. The call in number is 646-200-3966 for questions and comments.

“Self confidence is the most attractive quality a person can have. How can anyone see how awesome you are if you can’t see it yourself?” Unknown

Here’s my contact information to make an appointment for a session, or information on current classes: Phone: (602)957-3035 text: (602)349-0746 Email: Venturasag@yahoo.com (best method for contact)

Information about the different sessions and types of readings and services, past Snake Oil columns, and how to order my books and audio CD’s can be found at my website: Http://JimVentura.com 

“Friend” me on Facebook to get other extra offers and in between column extras! Signing up for my fan page will get you even more extras and first shot at reading specials. Simply click on “like” on the fan page and you will automatically get my weekly updates. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jim-Ventura/110567902293371?ref=hl

All sessions/readings for 2014 are: Full (70 minutes) $110.00; Shorter session (45 minutes) $80.00;  Extended session (90 minutes) $130.00 (two people can split an extended session back to back for $65.00 each).  Email me for information about my Regular Client Program for even bigger discounts on session prices with the added benefit of monthly or quarterly check-ins. 

All Current Snake Oil subscribers get $5.00 off all listed prices for any 45-90 minute sessions (except when using a special discount promotion). Local in office visits receive  another $5 off listed prices for cash or check payments. 

I accept cash, checks, debit cards, Master Card, Visa, and PayPal for payments on sessions and for books and classes. Send me your birth month, day and year to get added to the yearly Birthday mailer promotion.