Tired of struggling - and consulted the i ching

[tabitha]

Hello--

I asked the i ching a question about my finances and how to improve them-
Basically-- Im always struggling- I'm creative and intelligent, working things out freelancing etc- but need more security- I sense I play things small. I don't want to leave it to fate- but asked a question I felt would lead to how I will make things happen.
I asked: I need to improve my situation and would like to know how I can get to a better place financially- I hope this is enough information- My response, was 62-15
Any suggestions would be great.

 

[doingnotdoing]

Hi Tabitha – This is an interesting reading, and in some ways reminds me of the exchange dobro and I just had on the Wishful Thinking thread. It’s often been my experience over the years that the Yi doesn’t always give me the answers I want, just the ones I need. I think this is what’s going on here, because it doesn’t seem to suggest an immediate way out.

Realize that this is just my take and nothing more, but I think the Yi is suggesting you need to quiet the desire for improvement before you will be open to recognizing a way to improvement. Which sounds contradictory, I know.

Both the primary and resulting hexagrams are counseling aspects of modesty, and the changing line is clearly suggesting the time is not right to act. I’d guess that the time is not right, because an active, searching effort on your part, from your current state of mind, is likely to result in mistakes that you’ll end up regretting. Wilhelm says of this line that, “hardness of character is tempered by yielding position”, which I read as meaning that you need to allow the desire for financial improvement to soften, maybe by yielding to a different aspect of yourself.

I think it’s important to note that modesty does not imply casting your desires aside, or throwing yourself away in any sense. It does mean honoring the higher aspect of our nature, and in this sense is the path to genuine self-esteem.

As I’m writing this it occurs to me that perhaps the question isn’t the right question. I think if I were to receive this response, I might approach the Yi again from a different angle. I think we’re all looking for happiness in the end, and I can’t help but think of the phrase, “Do what you love, and the money will follow.”

In the meantime, give preponderance to thrift, and have faith that you will discover the answer when the time is right. Hope this helps – good luck!

 

[willowfox]

I need to improve my situation and would like to know how I can get to a better place financially- I hope this is enough information- My response, was 62.4 -15

This warns you to be very careful and not to strive after more money for the moment, it suggests that you will not be able to succeed in reaching your financial goal for the time being so be patient and wait for a better time, your time has not come yet.

 

[tabitha]

Hello and thanks very much for your input

 

[linerider]

Some tips:
Network constantly in order to stay afloat.
Be creative with saving money.
Focus on being your genuine self, and don't second-guess yourself on the small stuff.
I second doingnotdoing's quote “Do what you love, and the money will follow.”

 

[mudpie]

Hello--

Im always struggling- I'm creative and intelligent, working things out freelancing etc- but need more security- I sense I play things small.

I need to improve my situation and would like to know how I can get to a better place financially- - My response, was 62-15

I find it interesting that the Yi reflected your sense of "playing things small". this very issue is being emphasized in general. Are you being simply told to "play it small" or is the Yi pointing out something valuable.

I think this line points to a situation that is going past; it is not going to last forver. furthermore, "small" is good, in the small details of your doing might lie something very fortunate. who knows? inventors and people who make extraordinary discoveries are often keeping the ear to the ground, listening for the sounds of what is coming far off. I suppose we could say that a "modest" person remains unconcerned with huge failures and/or great successes. they quietly proceed.

I certainly understand what you mean by struggle and I persnaly find that 'struggle" is a mindset. Can you approach it from a different angle? meaning don't focus on the lack of what you don't have ( lotsa money) but bring your attention to doing your freelance work with great care, and make the "smallness" a jewel you are polishing,quietly and painstakingly. "love what you do" ...

Huang says the one in this position is a yang line at a yin place..does not overreact to the little guy at line tending to ascend. when they meet, they can compliment each other.

think of it this way: a little guy working at small job complains and mutters that his position is not higher. He is exceeding his position foolishly and cannot be in a position to meet the rising oportunity when it comes. But the small guy who humbly perserveres is his small tasks meets the rising energy as it comes .there is no fault in that, and the completion of this phase of your life will not let it last long

 

[dobro p]

'Play it small' is an extremely good formulation for 62.

 

[rosada]

I don't think the I Ching is so much telling you to lay low or that this is not your time, as it is telling you to get real clear about where you really are right now.I think the I Ching gives us a sanpshot of how things are at the moment we ask the question thus enabling us to get in alignment with what's real and thus be able to navigate our next move. 62.4 >15 seems to be saying that if you look at your situation as it is right now you will see that your needs are being covered and thus you might want to ask not how you can make more money inorder to reduce your sence of struggling but simply ask, "What attitude should I adopt to neutralize this sence of struggle?"

You may also find that as you consider your situation not just from a monetary angle you will realize there are advantages you are undervaluing. Like, maybe you think you are living where you are just because you can't afford to live some place else but if maybe that there is some very real blessing in being where you are. Maybe your current residence is allowing you to meet someone who will be a life long friend or maybe it's keeping you from getting into trouble in the big city. Anyway, as you look for and see what is perfect about your current circumstances you may find you then can anchor the perfection - like get the name and phone number of the new friend - and then lo! The Universe opens up the next door.

Wilhelm says about 62.4, "As ruler of the upper trigram Chen, the line is too readily inclined to be drawn into excessive movement, which would be dangerous. Hence the warning against movement." I wonder what was sparking your question this morning. Were you perhaps wishing you could purchase something which may turn out to be overpriced? Like, is 62.4 saying, "Don't run up your credit cards, you don't need the new ..." whatever? That or maybe with 15 it's just saying simplify your life, don't let the constant stream of advertising we hear cause you to think you need to buy another blessed toothpick.

As for doing something small, I think it's always wise to have something to sell on the side. When I was a young mother with three kids The universe seemed to always send me a customer for my Avon or Amway whenever I needed extra cash. Now I am having a grand time with my I Ching Beads. I carry a necklace with me where ever I go just waiting for a chance to share them. Not only are they great conversation starters when I bring them out at the local coffee house, but when I do someone else always pays for my coffee! If I were to print up a little booklet to go with them I could probably even sell a few...

Best wishes with all this.
Rosada

 

[tabitha]

Hello! I got a freelance job editing and am finding it to be small, picky work, but I am growing and it is offering me a practical, creative and hopefully more lucrative way to move forward- Im tryiing to do my best-- thanks so much for all your great input.