Substantial progress and increasing prosperity are exhilarating and good—as long as you go with the flow and keep the interests of others in mind. Like a river’s white-water rapids, periods of increase can be of short duration. It furthers one to ride the rapids now while the waves of opportunity are high.
Leadership in times of increasing opportunity involves commitment to the needs of cohorts or dependents. By remembering that to lead is to serve, a leader strengthens his or her ability to bring about a lasting increase in prosperity. In a time of general increase, those who contribute most directly to the common good will achieve the greatest and most long-lasting rewards.
When opportunities for increase arise, very good fortune comes to those who act swiftly and boldly without falling into the trap of letting their actions be merely self-serving. If you aspire to a position of prominence, the most enduring strategy is to work to raise the tide of your entire community, company, or relationship, rather than setting out to swim upstream on your own.
When the times favor prosperity, and when leadership is in the hands of the broadminded, supreme good fortune is the result.
Changing Line Interpretations
Line 1 (bottom line)
When you are the recipient of what might be considered blind luck, realize that good fortune has found you because you allowed room for it to enter. Luck is most attracted to selflessness. When luck shows up—in the form of new wealth, power, or energy—it is best preserved and strengthened by sharing this increase with others, perhaps by donating time to worthwhile and selfless pursuits.
On the other hand, self-absorbed individuals, whose entire purpose is personal accumulation of wealth or power, soon become prisoners to their own desires.
Line 2
Sometimes, sudden good fortune is as disruptive to its recipient as a calamity. When good fortune falls into your life, the surest means of staying on course is to reinforce your love of the good. Operate from a sincere desire to extend the power of your integrity and loyalty into the outer world. By remaining true to your higher self, good fortune becomes a lasting condition, and small obstacles are easily overcome.
If you have an instinctive desire to help others at a time like this, heed it. Don’t be afraid to follow your heart when it desires to do good.
Line 3
Even a miscalculation or seemingly unfortunate event can lead to good luck in a time of general increase. Picture a baseball player on a hot streak who is fooled by an inside pitch: despite his blunder, the ball accidentally hits his bat and bloops a hit while he is trying to get out of the way, and he advances to first base. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. When things are going well, it still behooves you to step up and prepare to swing your bat.
Line 4
Be careful to maintain a high level of trustworthiness, as you may be called upon to act as a mediator. Whatever the circumstance, it’s important that you maintain fairness and a sense of balance. If you make the benefit of all concerned your highest priority, your advice will be followed; and you will be respected. Whatever you do, do not take advantage of your position when good fortune smiles upon you.
Line 5
A kind heart does not make demands or ask for recognition. Genuine kindness and consideration flow naturally and spontaneously. In such conditions, supreme fortune abounds!
Line 6 (top line)
This line refers to someone who has isolated himself or herself by abusing power or being insensitive to the needs of others, particularly others who are in dependent positions. Becoming greedy or power hungry causes one to lose touch, because a broad vision is needed to observe the big picture—including what is coming up. The easiest way to lose good fortune is to take it for granted or to abuse the privilege.
