A New Relationship with Money

Inspirational Articles

By Gord Riddell and Kathy Ryndak

In most of our lifetimes, we have never seen so much financial chaos, economic doom and gloom and fear about the world’s economy. Every newscast and financial statistic reported presents another economic woe to worry about. The average consumer has polarized from conspicuous consumption to pulling in their purse strings, counting every nickel and dime. The word bailout was the most looked up word in the dictionary in 2008. Almost every week, another financial scandal is exposed about greed and corruption with CEO’s demanding multi-million dollar bonuses despite massive layoffs.

Clearly, there is something drastically wrong with the relationship the world has with money. If there is anything we can learn from this financial turmoil, it would be to have a new relationship with money. Let’s explore current misconceptions around money and look at how we can perceive money in a more conscious and holistic way.

There is not Enough!

The world as a whole does not operate from an attitude of abundance but rather scarcity, lack of, or ‘not enough.’ If the entire Earth’s wealth was shared amongst its 6.8 billion inhabitants, we would all be millionaires having around $10 million dollars each. The truth is that 98% of the planet’s wealth is held by 5% of the population.

The notion that there is never enough is fear based and polarizes us in different directions. Many attract more scarcity to them and others become greedy amassing tremendous wealth yet never feeling they have enough. You might think that a billionaire would sleep well every night but many don’t. Greed causes craving and obsession only to accumulate more. W.C. Fields said that a “rich man is only a poor man with money.” There is another saying that “if all the rich people in the world divided up their money among themselves, there wouldn't be enough to go around.” Undoubtedly, something is very awry with this picture. The notion that there is never enough is fear based and polarizes us in different directions. Many attract more scarcity to them and others become greedy amassing tremendous wealth yet never feeling they have enough. You might think that a billionaire would sleep well every night but many don’t. Greed causes craving and obsession only to accumulate more. W.C. Fields said that a “rich man is only a poor man with money.” There is another saying that “if all the rich people in the world divided up their money among themselves, there wouldn't be enough to go around.” Undoubtedly, something is very awry with this picture.

Money Myths

Let’s take a look at common money myths and beliefs and then reframe them in a more conscious and positive way:

Money is the root of all evil. False, greed is.
Money can’t buy you happiness. True, happiness is a choice. Prosperity consciousness, however, can bring you freedom since you won’t be obsessed money.
Money does not grow on trees. Well, yeah, but always being tight fisted reflects a lack of abundance rooted in fear.
Money makes the world go around. Maybe before but not now! We need to honour other currencies such as the ‘currents’ of love, empowerment and joy.
Save your pennies for a rainy day. Since money is really energy, there will be an ebb and flow to it in our life. When we save money we don’t want to come from an energy of hoarding or fear but rather that is it a wise thing to do. Hold the belief that your savings attract more abundance to you.
You can’t be spiritual and have money. Not true. Taking a vow of poverty is a religious tenet not a spiritual one. As we become more conscious, we realize that abundance is our spiritual birthright. Transforming consciousness can require money or prosperity; for example, the capital necessary for Al Gore to make the movie “An Inconvenient Truth”.
Time is money, a phrase coined by Benjamin Franklin. Let’s not be arrogant with ‘my time is so valuable you owe me big time’ but rather we have enough time to have abundance everywhere in our life.

Abundance Principles

Abundance is not just about money but having enough in all areas of our life… enough time, enough love, enough friends and so on. We have enough time to work and play and just to be. The true nature of the universe is one of bounty and when we tap into this, we have that “all is well” feeling. Let’s affirm that we live in an abundant universe and have everything that we need.

Abundance is an attitude you hold, not the amount of your investments. Being positive, loving and joyful attracts more abundance. Appreciation and gratitude secure it. Remember that you are the true source of your abundance – not the government, your employer, parents or spouse. Your Source is very grand, so think in big and unlimited ways.

Money is Energy

A more conscious way to regard money is that it is neither good nor bad – it is just how you use it. Money is really energy and how you view it will determine your level of prosperity. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could view money as a vibration of light? We would only approach it from integrity, higher purpose and that our use of it would benefit humankind. Those who are clearest about their relationship with money will not have too little or too much but just the right amount. Too much or little money will take you off your path. If you are worrying about paying the rent, you may not have much time for your spiritual journey. If you have too much money, your focus could be very materialistic.

When we are truly ‘rich’ we will have enough money to carry out our life’s purpose with ease and comfort so that we can focus on putting our vision into action.

Let Money Flow

Did you know that the root of the word affluence comes from the French word ‘affleure’ which means to flow? There is a natural rhythm of ebb and flow with money in our life. The challenge is to be able to adjust to it. When we are in an upward cycle, practice gratitude and keep opening to more. When we are in downward cycle, we can be prudent about spending without going into scarcity or fear. Things always turn around. Even this great recession will. Eventually, people will have to buy the things they have been putting off. When there our blocks around money for you, ask where do you want more energy to flow in your life?

Let’s hope that many things will be learned from this global financial crisis and that humankind will develop a more conscious and sharing approach with money. May we truly come from abundance for all and learn that greed and fear are destructive. There are more important currencies in the world than money – may the currents of love, empowerment and abundance shape the destiny of our planet.