Afraid of Not Having Enough Money?

We all have some kind of “relationship” with MONEY.  We give money a certain meaning and power in our lives and given the culture that we were brought up in money can even be a defining measure of our self worth.  I think most of us to some degree have an incessant worry or fear that we will never have enough or will be unable to keep enough for whatever we are saving for in the future.  I am no stranger to that type of thinking and belief.  In fact, the "not enough" belief that was at the forefront of my limiting money beliefs for years.

  Many of my previous false money beliefs were actually hidden from my conscious thinking. I didn't even realize they were there and I was simply ignoring my self-troubling relationship with money and pretending that it didn't exist.  I  suppose I felt no reason to question my status quo thinking and chalked it up to "that's just the way it is." 

 If a situation were to arise where I would have to actually confront my own thinking about my relationship with money, or if I would be in a money conversation with someone,  I would just latch on to the closest commonly shared noble view that I thought made sense  or would make me feel good or I would just assemble some buzzwords that would sound good to whoever I was talking to.  I would spout off some appropriate cliche money line like:  "Hey you can't take it with you!"  Or - "Money isn't everything!" Or  "Money can't buy you happiness!"  

Although I could lay down those lines with friends at social gatherings thinking it "worked" in that situation or was cool to say when the timing was right,  the truth was that those stereotypical phrases were not in any way related to my actual money beliefs!  

In reality,  I was incredibly frightened and paralyzed by the thought of not ever having enough -  and I was scared to death of losing any of my money. 

 In order to cope, my solution to conquering this fear was to commit to working my ass to the bone day and night to insure that my priority # 1 was making "enough" money to stuff the coffers and build the stash so that I could "someday" not have to worry about ENOUGH money any more.  It took me quite awhile to realize the destructive nature of that strategy. Consequently my ego imposed denial caused me to disconnect from my true nature and miss out on a good deal of  joy, love, peace, purpose and happiness in my life.  

Those false money beliefs were very real to me and were just as strongly ingrained in me as my belief that I was a male, human and living in the USA.  To question those beliefs and to realize that they were not really serving me any more - was not an easy task.  By seeking the needed coaching support, and following some simple steps to releasing and changing my beliefs,  I was able to uncover and acknowledge the origin of my pain and fear  around money, work through them and then awaken to my real truth.  

Now with an enhanced awareness around money I have experienced a resolution with my money issues.  I have shifted and evolved into a place where I have assigned money a somewhat different role and value in my life. 

My sense of truth around money has altered the way I look at my life, my work, my future and even how I exist in the present moment.  This is not to say that those money fears never show up any more in my life, it's just that now I can see them for what they are and move through them very quickly.

What are your beliefs around and about money? Imagine what your life would be like if you had a different perspective on your relationship with money. What if you had the power to change reality?

 I would encourage you to explore these money belief areas as I am quite sure you will find some beliefs that are not serving you or your highest good. 

 A great place to start would be to check out this book by Lynn Twist , The Soul of Money.  Let me know your thoughts after you read the book and know that I am here to support you when you need it.

Mental Hygiene

Unconventional Meditation Practice

I don't know many people who look forward to going to the dentist and neither do I really but there is one thing I do like about going to get my teeth cleaned: I know that I am going to get a good 30 minute meditation in.

I get my teeth cleaned often, not by choice but because I inherited the teeth of Johnny Rotten and if I don't keep them in tip-top condition they will cause me serious issues.

My decision to first meditate while in "the dental chair" was actually out of convenience. At that time I was holding on to a story and telling myself that I was too busy and didn't really have time to meditate very often (likely excuse). I found that being in that dental chair was one time that I was actually forced to sit still for more than five minutes - so to avoid the discomfort of the whole dental non-ambience I decided to try meditating.

Now while my gentle handed Hygienist is picking, poking and prodding, I am focused only on my breathing and meditation.

My real point here is that meditating doesn't have to be done cross legged with a shaved head and an orange robe.

Mindfulness meditation can be developed by anyone and can be practiced in any way that works for you individually.

I spent many years following a belief of "If you're not going to do it right, then

don't do it at all!"

Sound familiar? Oh I would wait until the conditions were just right, until I had all the proper equipment, or read enough books, or taken enough seminars etc. What I have now found is that I was doing more planning, figuring and actually procrastinating than jumping in feet first and just doing it, whatever "it" was.

So for the last few years I have made a habit of meditating every morning in my home as well as meditating in all kinds of unconventional places and at odd times. I am far from an expert but have created my own style of meditating that works for me - sans the robe and cropped haircut, and have taught myself to be able to slip in and out of a meditative state anywhere in a matter of seconds.

It is not only the benefits of meditation that have been rewarding for me but even more importantly it's the good feeling I have about myself for breaking out of my old belief pattern and forging ahead and "doing it" without worrying about having to be perfect, exact, conventional or RIGHT.

Whatever Floats Your Boat

Have you ever noticed how different you feel emotionally when you are on a boat in the water?

Let's put aside the fearful feeling of falling in, sinking or drowning for a minute and concentrate on the positive feelings.
For me,  when I am floating in the still waters of Upper Herring Lake in my kayak  I get a calming reassuring feeling that I am in total rhythm with the natural harmony of nature.  It is a place of well-being and connection.
There is also something about the buoyancy of the water that gives me a safe feeling - like I am being held and nurtured in the arms of Mother Nature herself.  The water being a natural conduit for energy I also feel ultra amplified and energized.
 It is interesting to note that even when in a place of what some would consider being dangerous and fearful, I am in my most calm, safe and connected space.
It is in this space that we must take note, record and become aware of those feelings that bring us closest to our Wholeness.
This awareness and the acceptance that these feelings are the guide to our inner wisdom
will be the path to truly living from our True Nature.

Where is the place where you feel the most connected and whole?