Years...

 

I have this habit of holding on to the last little bit of somethings, afraid I won't have anymore. I'm not sure if it was from my growing up years of not having much in material things and then in a marriage where money went down the drain like water. But this hand soap in the picture a friend gave me at least five years ago and the little bag of herbs for putting in your bath a friend gave me about that long ago. So my goal this past year was to actually use and enjoy them and know when they were gone that other good things will come into my life. I'm proud to say the soap is almost empty and I have one bag left to use in my bath water. It feels okay, like I will have enough of what I need and want in my life without having to hold on, thinking that somehow if I don't use that last little bit I'll always have it. I do that with other things in my life too and have worked to release in order to expect more good things.

If money were no object...

"If money were no object what would you do and what would you have done?"

Here is the link to my friends cooperative blogging post on this subject:

http://gentlegull.blogspot.com/2014/09/if-money-were-no-object.html

         I think money is a fascinating subject. Everyone reacts and values money so differently. For me money has never been a big motivator in my life. I didn't have much money growing up and don't remember feeling deprived but I know it has become more of a comfortable place then having money. And in having more money, I find myself intimidated by "more." I've always wanted to learn about investing etc. just to feel more knowledgeable and comfortable with having "more" money and knowing what are the best ways to allow it to flow more freely. A friend told me once that money was meant to be enjoyed and shared. I'm very good with the money I have and I'm working on reprograming my thoughts - "I will know what to do with extra as it comes flowing in."

        If money were no object... I would pay off my house to secure it for my children. I would purchase a "tiny house" that had enough room for company and/or my children. I would allow money to give me "time" to slow down and stop "doing" for awhile.

       What would I have done? I would have saved more and not given it to another, who just squandered it away. But as all things in the past, I can't change it, so I forgive myself for what I felt I could have done and move on. Money "they" say is just energy... allowing it to flow in and out!

Money...

As I'm allowing more "flow" in my life, I am challenged by having to spend a very large amount to fix my brakes that I didn't have. But I am trying not to freak out and am grateful that I had a credit card to put it on. I've been working on reprograming my thoughts concerning money and to allow it to flow freely in and out. Out is a lot harder to allow but it had to be done, so I can not resist and accept what is or I can panic, and I don't want to do that anymore ( or at least not as much). I did also think that whatever financial obstacle that I have, at least I'm in charge. Years ago in my marriage money was such an "out of my control thing" that I am grateful that I know where ever penny is spent and what values I choose to spend it on.

Credit Card...

I'm so grateful for my credit card. I feel funny even saying that because so many people in this country are in credit card debit. I was one of those, many moons ago in a relationship that was anything but healthy and money was abused and misused. I've always loved money and I cherish the ability to have  it in my life and I take good care using it. So when I got my own credit card after the relationship was over, it has come in handy for so many things. I always pay it off and I don't use it for things I know I'm not going to be able to pay off the next month. But I like it's presence in my life to use in an emergency whether it's a minor one or major ~ I'm thankful!

Money...

I love money. I think money is meant to bring joy and to be shared. All of my life, by American standards, I've lived "very poor." I am always grateful for whatever I had/have, but it has become part of my "comfort zone." So I find myself with the potential of making more money and feeling intimidated by how to use it to the best of its ability. I have no doubt that I know how to handle, the joy and sharing part, but what brings me uncomfortableness is, how to do things like, use an accountant, file the right taxes, investing to grow it, etc. I've always had so little that there was never a need for those kind of services. But it is something I want to learn and explore and not let this simple acts keep me from using my gifts and allowing the abundance of money into my life.

Side of the road...

When I pulled up to a stop light today, there was a man standing there with a sign that he was homeless and needed money. My thought has always been to give him some without judgement. Does it really matter what he choose to use it for. But as I gave him the money I thought later - he is someone's son, maybe someone's father, he's a man with a story, a past and hopefully a future. I left him with loving thoughts to make the choices that are right for his life.