What is money to you? Is it something good? Is it the root of all evil? Is it something that just flows for you? For me, I have always seemed to have enough money to get by. Yes, there have been times where I have lived paycheque to paycheque and really wondered where the money would come from, but money has always showed up for me. I wish I could say that I had an abundance of money, but I think that I have some deep rooted connections with money that prevent me from having an abundance of money.
I guess, the first think that I need to understand is what is an abundance of money? An abundance of money would be enough money to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted to do it. If I really look at that, I do have that. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want to. I am currently more limited by what I really want.
That is a very interesting thought. Let’s apply that to things for a moment. I recently just bought a new car. I have a BMW 5 series and it is just getting old. I thought that I wanted to get a BMW X5 and I let the money get in the way of me really thinking about getting that car. Granted, the BMW X5 is not a cheap vehicle and the operation of that vehicle is not cheap either, but as I look at my definition of abundance, did I really want the BMW X5, or did I really let the flow, or lack of flow, of money prevent me from getting the BMW X5?
In sitting here to think about it, I think it was a mix of both. I know when I was looking at cars, I did limit what I was looking at based on the limited flow of money that I felt that I had. I felt that I was limited by the limited amount of money that I can create, or am creating right now, which, let’s be honest is through my job. Can money come from through other ways? Of course! But, we have to be open to those ways for money to flow to us.
I know that you are asking, “But how?” For me, there are several areas where money could flow into my life easily. First, I have written and published a book. Book sales have been slow, but that does not mean that the sales will not just take off. I am a speaker. I could start getting more speaking engagements. I am a coach and I have not promoted my coaching practice in a while. I also promote the work of some people, like Christy Whitman, and I could get some money from the promotion, which I have in the past.
Does that mean that the flow of money will just open up and come to me? Maybe. In sitting here and thinking about it. I think there are a few things that I need to do before that will start happening before the flow will begin.
First, I have to believe that it is possible. For example, I have received some money from the promotion that I have done for Christy Whitman, but I do not think I every believed I would. I need to believe it is possible. Be open to the possibility that money will just flow.
Second, I need to be grateful. I need to be grateful for what I have and what I receive. I know that I am taking the money that I receive for granted today. How many of you believe you deserve the paycheque you get from work, instead of being grateful for it? Yes, I know you worked hard for the paycheque, but does that prevent you from also feeling grateful for it? I know that I need to feel into being grateful for receiving my paycheque. I also need to be grateful for the money that I find, no mater how small the amount. How many times have you walked past a penny on the street and not picked it up because it was only a penny?
Third, I need to do something to assist the money to flow to me. For example, in my speaking, I could do some more promotion of the fact that I am a speaker. I could create a speaker sheet that I could give to people. I could speak to some groups for free to get my name out there and on top of that, when speaking for free, I could promote the sale of my book. What actions can you take to assist in the flow of money coming to you?
Ok, I am feeling better about how I can get the flow of money going in my life. The other area of my life that I am worried about is, what if I had a lot of money? Say, tomorrow, I won the lottery and had a lot of money. First, I think YES! I am financially FREE! But very quickly, I start to worry about keeping all that money. In thinking about it, I would feel that it was a gift that SHOULD provide for me until I die, but what if it does not. Well, if it does not, then is it time to connect back into the flow. Winning the lottery does not mean that I am cut off from the flow.
Second, I think the next big thing would be to really connect in with what I wanted. Going back to the car, would I really want a BMW X5, or would there be another vehicle that would be best for me? What size house do I really want? Where would I want that house? How many houses do I really want? Just because I could afford something does not mean I really want it.
Finally, I worry about that amount of money changing me and it could. If I let the money rule my life, versus letting me use the money for what I wanted, then money could change me and there lies another problem with the flow of money for me. I worry that I am not strong enough to use the money for what I wanted, instead of letting the money rule my life.
I think what it comes down to for me is that I would really need to connect with who I am and use the money from that perspective. Funny, I have always worked on making myself a better person and thought that when I am that person, I would have the money, but having money does not stop the process of continuing to be the best me that I can be. It feels like having a lot of money only amplifies the person that I am.
How would you feel if you has a lot of money? Does it bring up a lot of pressure, or pleasure? Have you ever taken the time and thought about what your life would be like if you did not have any limitations to the amount of money that is present in your life? Who would you really become? What would you want to do?
Whew, I know that was a lot for me to go through and I really hope that it has gotten you thinking. Take some time and think about how you feel about money. Think about other ways you can let money flow into your life and what is preventing you from letting those ways come to you. If you need help, let me know. I can become your coach and help you find what is limiting you from turning up the flow of money in your life.