Many people agree that you can break down the population of the world into "haves" and "have nots". While there are people who are fabulously wealthy, it is also true that there are people who are dirt poor. The latter is especially poignant given the current state of the economy.< p>

Still, there are many "have not" who have not because they haven't bothered to ask. The Universe has a simple rule, which is even codified in religion. The Bible states simply "ask and ye shall receive." Deceptively simple, but so few do it. Why?

My guess is that people have not asked for what they want because they don't know what they want. Seriously. We get so caught up in the day-to-day nonsense that we forget to take a step back once in a while to look at the Big Picture.

Here's what I'd like you to do; this is something I do myself. Find some time or make some time for quiet reflection, free from distractions of work, family, television, telephone, and the computer. Lock yourself in the bathroom or your car parked in your driveway, if you have to. The idea is to get somewhere quiet where you can be alone with your thoughts.

Now, take a sheet of paper and write: "I am grateful because I have received the following". Now, write down everything that you want if money were not an object. I find that it's not the money that we all want but what we can do with it. By writing as if you already have it, you are signaling the Universe that you are open and ready to receive it. Put whatever you want on the list (literally); there are no wrong answers.

Once you've written your list, read it out loud. F-e-e-l how you would feel when you have what's on your list. Close your eyes and visualize yourself with what's on your list. Great!

If you had difficulties even making the list, don't feel badly. We are so conditioned by scarcity and the mentality of being a "have not" that it takes a great deal of courage to break the chains of poverty consciousness.

Each morning (or evening, whenever you can find 10-15 minutes to have quiet reflection), reread your list of wants with feeling and as if you've already received them. Believe you've already received them. Be grateful for having received them. You will receive them.

Here is a prosperity affirmation that I like to use: "I am a money magnet. Money comes to me easily and effortlessly from known and unknown sources each and every day, which I receive with grace and gratitude."

In closing, you need to ask for what you want before you can receive what you want.