The nature and effect of money has been a running theme in my life since day one. It’s a simple concept. Money is just a medium for exchange. It is more flexible than a barter system. You can buy anything with money. But the reality of this simple idea is anything but simple. Money, as an extension of ourselves, reflects how we see ourselves and others. Money ruins some relationships and solidifies others. Money, whether the lack of it or the abundance of it, effects us deeply as individuals, within relationships, and across humanity.
In upcoming writings, I want to explore this complexity with you. We will begin with the role money plays in your personal life, whether you lack it, have just enough, or more than enough. Then we will explore the effect of money on our relationships. Lastly, but certainly not least, we will explore the nature and effect of money on the world scale across communities and humanity as a whole. I want to emphasize that this is all from my own unique perspective, and a bit of research. This is only my opinion, based on my own life experience, and observations of the people around me and humanity at large.
My intention is to bring you face to face with your own thoughts, habits and baggage around money. If you can see your relationship with money plainly, you can decide if it is a healthy one for you, and what, if anything to do about it.
This is not about how to get rich, although you may use these principles to build a better relationship with money, ultimately possibly leading to wealth. Or you may decide to give your wealth away. There will be tips and ideas that worked for me scattered throughout.
It’s about recognizing the nature and effect of money on us at a personal level, on our relationships and on humanity at large both good and bad. From there, you can draw your own conclusions as may fit your own unique situation.
Money Baggage
As you read, consider your own thoughts, feelings, impressions and baggage around money. Let’s get those thoughts down on paper now. Take a few minutes to answer the following questions for yourself.
- What is money to you? Is it good, bad or neutral?
- What are the major experiences you have had around money? What impressions did those experiences leave you with?
- What are the stories you tell yourself and others about money?
- Do you think you have too little, too much, or exactly the right amount?
- If you want more, why do you want more?
- If you think you have too much, why? Where is this guilt coming from?
- In your mind, how do you view others who have too little, or in your mind, too much?
- Do you find yourself judging how other people spend or don’t spend their money? Why? What in you feels threatened?
The Nature And Effect Of Money
Money reflects emotional value. We use it to soothe ourselves, to do good for others, to sabotage ourselves and others, and to live our truth. Money is an extension of ourselves, and as such, reflects how we see ourselves. Show me how your spend your money and I will tell you what developmental stage you are in.
Debt can breed unworthiness. Gambling can breed powerlessness. Wealth can breed freedom, guilt, arrogance and far reaching philanthropy. Money in relationships can lead to deeper connection and deep fulfillment, or to manipulation, violence and even murder.
The dichotomy is even more pronounced at the global level where we both deify and demonize the rich and poor alike. Massive good and massive evil all spring from the desire for money, the possession of money and the expenditure of money.
It is a complicated subject that weaves its way into our very identities, into our relationships, and our societies. Whether the nature and effect of money is good or bad is entirely dependent on your personal relationship with it.
Over the coming months, I will be writing more about this from all of these perspectives. Throughout these discussions, I will call out important questions for you to answer. I want to help you explore and understand your relationship with money, and evolve that relationship to a place where your money works for you, offering freedom, fulfillment, growth, deeper relationships, and greater good.
