Can Money be a Pink Fluffy Bunny??
Updated: Jan 13, 2020
I recently had the honor to take part in a two day think tank at The World Bank in Washington DC in conjunction with The World Academy of Art and Science discussing the future of funding, including creative ways to fund the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals through systems based approaches. If it sounds heady, it was. And, to a finance geek like myself, it was heaven.
This was a room of some of the brightest minds from academia, economics, business, finance, integrated leadership, change management, and spiritual practice. Yes, you read that right. At a global meeting about finance, we had people there who are experts in integrated leadership and spiritual practice. Obviously, this was not your normal financial round table.
It was an inspiring and inspired gathering in which ideas were free flowing. We questioned each other, and stretched each others thoughts and beliefs with respect and support instead of judgment. We continued the deep conversations into meal and break times, excited to be in this amalgam of different ideas and areas of expertise that seemed to compliment each other so well.
And, the conversations kept coming back to being audaciously intentional with money. To have a relationship with money and finance that initiates and engenders transformational change, not only for yourself, but for the common good.
Money is an incredibly powerful and loving tool, when used with awareness of ourselves and of the world around us. When exchanged in gratitude and appreciation, it is magical and can create deep and lasting change in the lives of people and communities.
How can we bring this intention into our own finances daily? If we allow it to be, money and finance can be a big scary monster that we would rather hide from. However, if we want, we can kindly and lovingly lure it out so we can see it’s really just a fluffy bunny that just wants to love us, and be loved in return. Here’s some steps to doing that:
· Look at your finances honestly. Make a chart, spreadsheet or a colorful map of your current finances. Be honest. Look at the small charges of $2.50 every day, week or month that seem insignificant. Then decide what you want to change and by when in order to meet your goals. You can’t know where you are going if you don’t look at where you are at.
· Gratitude. Yes. Be grateful that the money and abundance you desire is in your back pocket and is, indeed, your best friend. You may only have $5 in your bank account, but does it really help to focus on the $5 or will it be more productive to focus on what the future abundance that will be there? What we think about, we create more of. The $5 is just a blip in time, and it does not have to be your reality forever.
· Know there is Enough. For everyone. Always. And, this includes you.
· Have fun!!! Yes!! Money can be fun!! Re-frame it for yourself. Take the scariness out of it through laughter and joy. And, if you need help, get a qualified money coach.
References:
Books:
The Soul of Money: Transforming Your Relationship With Money and Life; Lynne Twist
Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business; John Mackey and Raj Sisodia