Relying on One Kind of Wealth Creates Fear
Beautiful piece on the Huffington Post by author Anne Naylor today called “How to Restore Your Spirit of Wealth.” She articulates something I’ve always believed — that wealth is really a form of energy. The gift of abundance can manifest itself in cash, but it can also manifest itself through creativity, inspiration, strong relationships, fulfilling work, good health, a robust spiritual life.
Relying too much on cash and materialism for your definition of wealth can leave you depleted, she writes: “The issue is that money and possessions can get ‘sticky.’ That is to say we can become over-dependent upon them. Attached and fearing their loss, we become driven to protect and increase the supply, in case we lose the comfort and pleasure they give us.”
I’m not saying that material wealth is bad, it just has to be kept in perspective. I was chatting about detachment with my friend Claire, a yoga teacher, as we rode a very noisy school bus to our second graders’ field trip this week. There is enormous freedom and joy in not allowing material things to make a claim on our hearts. Enjoy and share generously. If we grasp too tightly our hands and hearts may not be open to accept the other forms of wealth that come along.
Easier said than done, I know. In any case, if you’re feeling down about the numbers in your bank account or the red in your credit card statement, read Naylor’s lovely piece.
Meanwhile, here’s my recent appearance on Meredith’s Better TV on what you should never say to your children about money. Have a great weekend!
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