I heard something interesting yesterday. The big 3 of life are 1. Health 2. Wealth 3. Love, and not necessarily in that order. If you have those 3, then life is pretty sweet. If one or more is messed up, then, well, not so much. That isn't news, and not all that interesting. What was interesting is this ....
If you are lacking wealth, you can't expect it to fall out of the sky and land in your lap. The way we get money, is through our interactions with other people, through relationships. If you are unemployed, who is going to hire you? A person is. If you have a job, you have to keep the boss happy. And who is the boss, yes, again, a person. If you own a business, you have to keep your customers happy. And who are customers? People.. Even if you are kid, you have to keep Mom and Pop happy to keep the allowance money flowing. Anyway you look at it, cash flows from person to person. So, if you are having money troubles, what you really have are people troubles.
Puts a whole interesting new spin on it for me. My brain has been analyzing my life in a whole new light the last 24 hours. Here are are some questions to ponder.
1. Do you think that you have to grovel for your pay?
2. Do you think that other people need their money more than they need to pay you?
3. Do you over pay for things?
4. Do you buy things to give you a sense of power?
5. Do you think you are over paid for your work?
6. Do you expect people to cheat you?
7. Do you think that the only way to get ahead is by being dishonest?
8. Do you think being poor is noble?
9. Do you know how to ask for what you want with confidence?
10. Do you know what it feels like to have more than enough for your ideal life?
Those are money issues, but at the heart of it all, it's about love. How so? Well, let me try and explain.
1. Do you think you have to grovel for your pay? (or any other physical need)
When we grovel, we debase ourselves. We grovel because we feel like the other person has power over us, that they are superior, and we are worth far less. This action comes from an extreme lack of self worth, a lack of love in the relationship with that person, and a lack of love for our self.
2. Do you think that other people need their money more than they need to pay you?
Are you willing to take less pay so the company can have more profit? Are you willing to work for less than you are worth because the customer can't afford your standard price? Are you willing to discount yourself, for the sole benefit of another? If you do, then you are trying to buy love and acceptance at the cost of your self respect. Everyone wants a good deal, but there is a line that should not be crossed. Why does their desire for a bargain out way your desire for an abundant life? There is a fair price, that is fair to all parties. If someone expects you to give more than is fair, they do not value you and giving in to their demands will not raise your standing with them, it will lower it.
3. Do you over pay for things?
Over paying is emotionally and energetically the same as working for too little. It is an attempt to buy acceptance and love. In a way you are are telling the company, or person you are dealing with, that you value them more than you value yourself. You are using your wealth to manipulate others into giving you what you want - respect, acceptance, inclusion, and ultimately love.
4. Do you buy things to give you a sense of power?
I remember when I was a kid and I had $3 in my pocket at McDonald's. I felt this amazing sense of power when I realized that I had the ability to purchase anything on the menu. (I know, this totally dates me, cause $3 won't buy you squat today). I felt very powerful, and just a little bit prideful, standing there like a big shot ordering my Big Mac, fries, shake, AND a hot apple pie. My parents almost never took us to McDonald's and they certainly never bought those silly apple pie things.
Seriously, do you every buy something expensive, or have your hair done, because you crave that feeling of power? When you walk into the store you know they have to put up with your crap because you are the one with the cash? How about taking your friends out to eat and paying for everyone, to give yourself a little boost in the ego? It's not the buying of nice things, or the treating your friends that is the problem, it is the WHY you do it that is the problem. Again, it comes down to love, or the lack there of.
5. Do you think you are over paid for your work?
Unless you really are being paid $100/hour to sit and watch TV, this is a false belief about your worth as a human being. Do you love yourself enough to just let the good stuff come your way, or are you always undermining your own success? Are you happy stuck in the muck, and afraid to let yourself rise above to where you really deserve to be? Who are you to determine what your services, skills, or expertise are worth to another? You might think it is easy, but to someone else it might just be priceless.
6. Do you expect people to cheat you?
If you expect people to cheat you, then you will be cheated. Expecting the worst, means you have very little regard for your fellow human beings, or yourself. You think the world is out to get you, and with that attitude, you are probably right. Expecting the worst in others leaves no room for love, or respect. At the root of thinking like this is the false belief that life is a zero sum game. It is not, there is plenty for all.
7. Do you think that the only way to get ahead is by being dishonest?
This is the other side of the same coin as expecting others to cheat you. At the core, it is the same false belief, that there is not enough for everyone to live abundantly. If you want some, you have to steal it from someone else, there isn't enough for both of you. Life is not a game of poker. You can get ahead without bluffing and hiding an ace up your sleeve. We can all win.
8. Do you think being poor is noble?
Believing that rich people are evil, and that if you are poor you are more righteous, is prideful. You are setting yourself above others. It doesn't matter what the reason is, if you think you are better than someone else, you are lacking in love. If you think it is noble to be poor, and you are working hard to get more income, you will either sabotage yourself into remaining poor, or come to hate yourself if you succeed at increasing your income. Being rich or poor does not make a person good or bad. It's about how you treat others.
9. Do you know how to ask for what you want with confidence?
It's important to know how to ask for what you want. If you have never been successful at asking for what you want, then you probably don't know how to do it right. I'm no expert here, but I think the key is feeling love and gratitude rather than fear and doubt. When your heart and mind are full of love and gratitude, you will exude confidence.
10. Do you know what it feels like to have more than enough for your ideal life?
If your life to this point has been a struggle, then you probably don't know what it feels like to have enough. It's hard to visualize, and bring to pass something with which you have no experience.
Even if you have had a life of financial troubles, you have had success at something. Remember that feeling, the feeling of success, and import it into your heart when you are thinking about your financial goals. It's ok to borrow those feelings of success from other areas of your life.
Just in case you were thinking that you have never had enough of anything you needed in your life, that you have always had to do without, here is a little exercise for you. Stop right now and take a deep breath, fill your lungs all the way up. Do you feel that? Your lungs are completely full, you couldn't possibly take in another breath. You have all the oxygen you need and what do you need more than air? Focus on that feeling of fullness, when you think about all your other needs.
What is the difference between oxygen, or sunlight, or food, or a house, or a big pile of money to God? It's all the same to Him. We have been abundantly provided for and it all comes from the same source. You are loved.
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Monday, April 19, 2010
Lifting the Dark Cloud of Depression
Daily, we are bombarded with sobering messages about the state of the economy. Everywhere you look, people seem to be struggling financially. Foreclosure, bankruptcy, unemployment, and discouragement are rampant, and no longer newsworthy. People turn in vain to the government for reform and relief. The headlines listed above are from today, but could just as easily be from the 1930's. It seems as if not much has changed since the days of the Great Depression.
As George Santayana (1863-1952) said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." In an effort to understand our current economic situation, I turned to the past. As a country, we have been here before, and will likely be here again, if we don't individually, and collectively, figure this out.
As George Santayana (1863-1952) said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." In an effort to understand our current economic situation, I turned to the past. As a country, we have been here before, and will likely be here again, if we don't individually, and collectively, figure this out.
Last week I read the Great Crash of 1929 by John Kenneth Galbraith. Originally this book was published in the 1950's and was updated in the 80's with some insights regarding the economic recession of that decade. I will admit, that I had a hard time getting excited about this book. Frankly, the details of the events leading up to the stock market crash in 1929 were tedious and boring. The inner workings of the stock market and the associated foreign language were uncharted territory for me. I am sure that I am not alone in my attitudes and general lack of knowledge on this subject. Unfortunately, ignorance offers no protection, under the law, or in financial matters.
The 1920's were an era of great speculation. People were excited about the future and the prospect of getting rich. The real estate speculation boom in Florida was in full swing. Individuals were purchasing the option to purchase swamp land sight unseen. Investment trusts were a recent invention, and everyone was jumping on the band wagon. If some is good then more is better, right? Discontent and ingratitude can turn a healthy desire for the good life to self-destructive greed. Everyday citizens were investing their savings in ventures they knew little about, on the lofty promises of getting rich quick. The caustic combination of ignorance and greed lead to the great crash in October of 1929.
How many of us have a solid understanding of personal finance? Do you know what tax bracket you are in? Do you know what interest rates you are paying versus being paid? Do you know the tax implications of home ownership versus renting? Most people want MORE money and the things money can buy, but do we really understand how money works? I know that I don't. It is a subject that I have ignored and felt best left to the experts. That was the attitude of the general population of the 1920's. They trusted their bankers, investment advisers, Wall Street executives, and their government. Then, one by one these guardians began to crumble.
Once the crash hit, the tides turned quickly. Those that were revered were now hated. Institutions of trust were now feared. The rich became instantly poor and the poor became destitute. Fortunes were made and lost on what today we would call "vapor-ware". In many cases the assets traded at high rates of return had no actual tangible value. The prevailing attitude of the nation was fear laced with a heavy serving of doubt. Distrust of Wall Street, banks, industry leaders, and government officials was pervasive.
Once down, the economy of the country did not recover for a long time. During this time the distrust, fear and doubt only increased. These attitudes prevented individuals from starting businesses, making investments, purchasing property & goods, or taking any kind of risk that would ultimately lead to financial gain. With no financial activity there can be no financial growth. The extensive lack of faith, kept this country depressed for a decade.
The combination of ignorance and greed produces an individual easily exploited. Individuals armed with financial knowledge make better investment decisions and raise the stability of our economy as a whole. It starts with the individual, with you and with me.
Realizing that my attitudes about my personal finances are tied to the generations before me has been a huge eye opener. Having never lived through serious deprivation, I often wondered why I had a strong aversion to eat or use the last of anything. It didn't make sense that I would fear homelessness and starvation when I had never experienced these for myself. They are deeply ingrained behavior patterns that are both intentionally taught and energetically passed down to us in our DNA. To dispel the lingering dark cloud each of us must gain more factual financial knowledge, and determine to consciously let go of the negative emotions that tie us to our collective, tragic past. As Knowledge and gratitude replace ignorance and greed, fear and doubt will give way to faith and hope.
The 1920's were an era of great speculation. People were excited about the future and the prospect of getting rich. The real estate speculation boom in Florida was in full swing. Individuals were purchasing the option to purchase swamp land sight unseen. Investment trusts were a recent invention, and everyone was jumping on the band wagon. If some is good then more is better, right? Discontent and ingratitude can turn a healthy desire for the good life to self-destructive greed. Everyday citizens were investing their savings in ventures they knew little about, on the lofty promises of getting rich quick. The caustic combination of ignorance and greed lead to the great crash in October of 1929.
How many of us have a solid understanding of personal finance? Do you know what tax bracket you are in? Do you know what interest rates you are paying versus being paid? Do you know the tax implications of home ownership versus renting? Most people want MORE money and the things money can buy, but do we really understand how money works? I know that I don't. It is a subject that I have ignored and felt best left to the experts. That was the attitude of the general population of the 1920's. They trusted their bankers, investment advisers, Wall Street executives, and their government. Then, one by one these guardians began to crumble.
Once the crash hit, the tides turned quickly. Those that were revered were now hated. Institutions of trust were now feared. The rich became instantly poor and the poor became destitute. Fortunes were made and lost on what today we would call "vapor-ware". In many cases the assets traded at high rates of return had no actual tangible value. The prevailing attitude of the nation was fear laced with a heavy serving of doubt. Distrust of Wall Street, banks, industry leaders, and government officials was pervasive.
Once down, the economy of the country did not recover for a long time. During this time the distrust, fear and doubt only increased. These attitudes prevented individuals from starting businesses, making investments, purchasing property & goods, or taking any kind of risk that would ultimately lead to financial gain. With no financial activity there can be no financial growth. The extensive lack of faith, kept this country depressed for a decade.
The combination of ignorance and greed produces an individual easily exploited. Individuals armed with financial knowledge make better investment decisions and raise the stability of our economy as a whole. It starts with the individual, with you and with me.
Realizing that my attitudes about my personal finances are tied to the generations before me has been a huge eye opener. Having never lived through serious deprivation, I often wondered why I had a strong aversion to eat or use the last of anything. It didn't make sense that I would fear homelessness and starvation when I had never experienced these for myself. They are deeply ingrained behavior patterns that are both intentionally taught and energetically passed down to us in our DNA. To dispel the lingering dark cloud each of us must gain more factual financial knowledge, and determine to consciously let go of the negative emotions that tie us to our collective, tragic past. As Knowledge and gratitude replace ignorance and greed, fear and doubt will give way to faith and hope.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)