Money, as an entity, keeps cropping up in my conscious lately. It is not just for me, but in watching those around me. In my view, money is often not about finances, but about emotions. I would contend fear, shame and anger drive many of our money issues and decisions. Most of us tend to think it is about our bank balance and though that is important, money is also connected to emotions. As I have said in the past, technology in this century floods us all with 'how to live'.
Perhaps there is a little battle going on between the adult brain and the child brain. My adult brains knows my needs, my child brain is filled with wants. My adult brain holds close health, shelter and security. My child brain wants fun, unnecessary and the simple pleasures that the world tells me I MUST have.
But I am a person of plenty.
It is all a money puzzle. 'They' say what you learned about money as a child brings clarity to your adult life. My grandmother told me my first money story. When I was a small child, my maternal mother, Gail, went to my grandmother fearing my father was having an affair as he was more and more not home in the evenings. Turns out he was working nights at a gas station earning money to surprise her with the ultimate gift...a new car. Lesson learned? No need to communicate about big money expenditures.
I am a person of plenty.
My folks married when I was in the 6th grade and we moved to an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G old home. It had a porte cohere, sunroom, music room, front AND back stairs, a secret room, a tunnel, a laundry shoot, butlers pantry, 3 attics... like I said, A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.
I contend that from there we must choose how money will drive our lives. If I had constantly thought of money as a negative thing, I would be plagued with the need and want for more. Thankfully I am a person of plenty! Somehow I came upon the success of living within my means. I have Russ to thank for that! He taught me that money is something we control and not the other way around.
Materialism and consumerism drives people. So deep is the need to impress that we feel embarrassed to tell our friends and co-workers we can't 'do or have' something because we don't have the money. My lesson from childhood was that I must 'have' to be popular. I am embarrassed to admit that after Christmas I would get on the phone with my friend Susan and shamelessly flaunt the details of all my Christmas presents. (reminder: they may have all been bought with a bank loan to provide us with the perfect Christmas gifts)
Life has a way of forcing a certain reality. I am not immune to the want winning over the need. I wanted nice porch furniture. I wanted a decorative surround for my grill. I want, want, want all the time. But we don't go into debt for those wants. I am ever grateful for Russ' clear thinking.
I am a person of plenty.