Flying high: a healthy attitude toward money will set you free

Vegetarian Times, Sept, 1998 by Jonathan Robinson

A healthy attitude toward money will set you free.

Our interaction with money is one of the most important yet complex relationships in our lives. If our money dynamic is balanced and positive, it adds to our overall level of health and happiness. If we build a negative relationship with the dollar bill, it's reflected in our thoughts, feelings and actions. Many people Worry about the amount of wealth in their lives, yet fearful thoughts actually push prosperity away, depleting our creative energies and inhibiting our ability to make smart choices. As a result, we are not only consumed by a sense of material impoverishment but spiritual poverty as well.

Conversely, when we're feeling confident and grateful for what we have, we attract money-making opportunities to us. People prefer to do business with those with an upbeat outlook rather than those who project nervousness and expect little from their efforts.

How can we develop a healthy relationship with money? By not buying things that camouflage our deepest desires. Examine your checkbook. Does it reflect your values and long-term goals or a life of constant distraction? While a new outfit or gleaming gadget can make us feel good for a few moments, it can't give our lives a lasting sense of purpose. To develop a nourishing money dynamic, we need to devote our dollars to what will make us happy in the long run--a bigger TV will never make up for a demoralizing job but adult education classes might.

To get clear on how to use money wisely, first ask yourself, "What will really contribute to my long-term satisfaction?" This question will bring your spending patterns--of time and money--into sharp focus. Additionally, write down five things that would bring you a sense if this were your final year of life. Perhaps you'd want to travel, visit loved ones, write songs or help someone in need. When you spend money on things that promote a rich experience of love, creative expression and personal growth, you are spending healthfully.

By contemplating what would boost your sense of well-being, you may realize you really don't require any more money than you already have. Sometimes a simple change in attitude is all that is needed to feel good about your life. People often think, "If only I could get a promotion or a new car, I'd be happy." Yet, most of us live better than kings did just 100 years ago. To further yourself a second question: "What do I feel grateful for in my life?" Take a couple of minutes right now to feel thankful for all you have--and you will feel instantly wealthy. As you dwell on the bounty of your life, and as you spend money on what brings you enduring satisfaction, you'll experience what true wealth is and the joy it brings.

Jonathan Robinson is the author of Real Wealth: A Spiritual Approach to Money and Work (Hay House, 1998) and Shortcuts to Bliss: The 50 Best Ways to Improve Relationships, Connect with Spirit, and Make Your Dreams Come True (Conari Press, 1998).