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Peace and Money
By karen | January 28, 2007
I remember many years ago reading “Financial Peace” by Dave Ramsey. The first chapter had such a poignant message it has stayed with me to this day.
In case you haven’t read it, in the first pages of the book, Dave tells a story of how he stopped at a gas station to put gas into his beautiful Jaguar; he was wearing his designer suit and fancy shoes. He had the appearance and demeanor of the epitome of success. As he went to pay for the gas his credit card was declined. He had no cash, no checkbook, and no other way to pay for the gas. His remark was “only in America can a man drive a Jaguar and not be able to afford to put gas into it”.
I seriously doubt that this is only an American phenomenon. Does “keeping up with the Joneses” only happen in America? Surely it does not.
I have known people who have gone past just the regular “keeping up with the Joneses”. They have gotten to the point where they are “the Joneses”. Every month they ride the bubble, praying for enough money to pay for all of the debt that they have accumulated. Many are one paycheck from complete financial downfall yet they continue to spend. Their credit cards are still working. They may be paying 21% interest on the prime rib they had for dinner last night but they are oblivious as they are only trying to keep up those elusive appearances.
They live in fear. They live in defeat. But it is all well hidden behind their soon to crumble facade because they still look good with their luxury cars, designer clothes and perfectly coifed hairstyles.
Living in fear of paying for your life is a frightening place to be. It doesn’t matter how good you look on the outside if you are fearful and panicked on the inside you are not in a position to improve and empower your life. You just aren’t. The beautiful home and the luxury automobile lose their luster if you are worried and stressed every month on how to pay for them.
Fear repels money. In order to become the best you can be and to accomplish the best that you can, including making money, you have to be empowered. Fear is the antithesis of power. Self-imposed fear from debt can be prevented. If you are already there, don’t beat yourself up more but make a plan to get out of it.
Put yourself on a cash diet, absolutely no purchases whatsoever that you don’t already have the money for, no more instant gratification. It won’t take too long and you will start having some peace. You will gain the placidity that comes from knowing that you are not indebted to anybody, that you can break free from the anguish of the self-imposed debtor’s prison.
When you make peace with money you are then in a position to really grow and become more. You have more of the freedom of choices. You have more power over your life and your time.
One of my favorite authors, Stuart Wilde wrote a wonderful and inspiring book about fear and money. It’s called “The Trick to Money is Having Some”. He writes in greater detail than I can here about how money is just a form of energy and that the difference between having money and not having money is nothing more than a subtle shift in consciousness. That shift in consciousness includes releasing fear. Releasing fear is easier when you don’t have debt and you are not living on the bubble of “hoping for enough” every month. And as for the title, it’s easier to create more money when you have enough to cover your living expenses and you are not worried. Many people may believe that you “have to have money to make money”. That is just a negative belief that prevents you from trying. In order to make money you have to let go of fear. When you let go of the fear you can see the possibilities, you empower yourself to achieve.
Money is one of the common forms of energy that we are all have to live with. Very few in this world can survive without money. But all of us can make peace with money. It’s our choice on how we handle it.
This article is included in the The Carnival of Personal Finance located at The Simple Dollar.
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Topics: Creating Abundance, Living the Power |
January 29th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Dollface, I’m big-time proud of you for spreading the word about Dave Ramsey and debt-freedom. People need to deep-six their debt and get on a money plan; otherwise they’re gonna be swimming in the debt pool wearing cement shoes. Great job, baby … here’s looking at you.
January 29th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Yes, I believe that debt can cripple your ability to dream and to make dreams come true.
Calling me “Dollface” makes me laugh. Thanks for stopping by!
July 23rd, 2007 at 1:19 pm
I have to say that comment from DEBTective above is great… I needed a good laugh today.
I have always said that it is not money we need but, knowledge of how to get and use resources. We always have the abilitie to trade work for food, shelter, and neccessities.