Walking the Talking

WALKING THE TALKING    

Though shy with the horn tooting, my business wanted you to know some “pay off” and progress made with the fertile finances-type work I babble on at you about. (Yes these businesses have a life and voice of their own. Never mind the outfits!)

 The progress is good to note, because sometimes that moneymonk path gets discouraging and takes so much patience. You might forget the reasons for this practical and core healing work. And you bet that you can get tired of the tracking, the discipline, the delayed gratification.

 Well, I’m so grateful to 2009, they year of the great shift for me. After years of work, I turned the corner in my work to befriend money. I find that – it is a neutral force you can harness for your own and the greater good. Really – I can say this now with conviction.

 Money feels benign – gentle, compassionate and wise to me these days – feminine even. I’ve watched it stand back and let me fashion my unique healing path toward walking the spiritual path – with cash.

 UH-OH, IT’S A MONEY GEEK

 Can you believe I actually consider the money planning/tracking time a fun activity? I actually reward myself with it lately. Does that make me some kind of money geek? Yikes.

 Yet, I did have to walk through that valley of death, to quote the phrase. Okay, death may be a bit strong. It was certainly dark and stressful for a long time with the money work.

 Now that I’ve scaled the ravine, I want to testify that there is higher ground. Plus, this spiritual path has many side benefits too. Say for example, having the discipline to cook a healthy meal when in the past I’d go out for a less healthy (and more costly) option.

 But beyond lovely side effects of this spiritual path, I have some huge news. As of last month – I am debt free. I took out my first student loan when I was 22 – and went on for my master’s degree – so this has taken decades to pay down. Big exhale.

 The silver lining to my student loan debt, if there is such a thing, is that I never felt I could take on any credit card debt. So I was spared that high interest ride.

 Yes, there were times I thought – wow – imagine what I could be doing with this money I’m using to pay off my debt. Damn! Yet, it was good to make good on the investment, and thank those who showed trust in me.

 Freedom from debt is a great feeling and well worth the work. I’m still getting used to it, and it will take some practice to shift gears. Now, outta my way – I’ve got a dusty credit card that wants some attention… Just kidding J

 Here are some thoughts about what it’s taken for me to get debt free. Let me know what is helping, or has helped, you with this.

 PAYING YOUR PROPERS TO MONEY ENERGY

 When Aretha wanted R*E*S*P*E*C*T, she asked to be paid her “propers” when her lover got home (chorus: just a just a just a just a just a just a just a just a – little respect, just a little bit, just a little bit). A little bit at a time is fine. Here are some propers I had to pay to become debt free. 

• Regular weekly money meetings and an easily trackable spending plan
• Regular check book balancing – weekly over the internet
• A new appreciation for delayed gratification – not many needs are urgent
• Celebrating progress of even small steps (I’ve more to learn here)
• Creating multiple income sources – incl. day jobs that use gifts and pay well
• Humility about both my strengths and the ways I’m still a cosmic youth
• Seeking and accepting help and support – including professional support
• Establishing money and decluttering practices at regular intervals
• Simple and clear ways to manage time
• Work play balance (I’ve more to learn here)

The final paradox is maybe one of the more challenging to master. It’s accepting the polarity that you are here, but want to get there. This moment and your current status is everything, is whole and perfect, though it may feel like crap when you’re climbing out of the ravine.

 Hold that paradoxical view of blessing the grit, and loving your presence and golden heart in the midst of the marathon. Feel abundance before the wallet shows the cash to back it up – visualize the goal already created. 

 There’s always so much to be grateful for, even in the bottom of that ravine.

 So trust yourself. No learning is lost. There are steps I’ve taken that money experts would say were so wrong, yet for me they worked out and ended up being perfectly timed.

 You have your own path to fashion. We all are being called to reinvent our personal and collective economy. We are in good company, we lightworkers trading in begging bowls.

 So a collective farewell to 2009. May the threshold of the yet to be known 2010 be filled with joy and appreciation for all that is. And may you live long and prosper on this soul savvy journey.