Many people who are interested in pursuing personal growth and spiritualism find that though they would like to change their circumstances, the idea of wanting money and personal belongings is distasteful. And certainly on the surface the pursuit of money and pursuit of personal expansion do seem to clash. Some of the people I train in business when asked what they would like to make aim very, very low. Even when pushed to think bigger they say “I’m not materialistic, I don’t need much.”
Somewhere along the way the idea has spread that the pursuit of money and material belongings is shallow. This belief holds so many people back from really fulfilling their potential. They don’t reach for everything they want because they feel they shouldn’t want it, they shouldn’t be greedy. They should be content with their fair share.
For most of us this belief is so ingrained that we don’t know it’s there. But we find ourselves saying things like, ” I’m not greedy”, “I only want to have enough to not have to worry”.
Even if you know you have this belief, it can be very difficult to shake. You may find yourself holding yourself back in your career, you may find that you enjoy what you do but feel uncomfortable asking for money for your services. You may find the discussion of money completely distasteful and uncomfortable. Yet you do dream of more: travel, freedom, a new car, etc. How do you reconcile material wants with your spiritual development?
It’s all in the way you value yourself and your influence in your own life. The truth is:
It’s selfish to be poor.
How much more could you do for your family if you were wealthy? How much more could you contribute to the world? How much time could you contribute to the development of your children if you didn’t have to work a job? How much more could you expand and grow if you could travel and have more experiences?
When we do the same thing day in and day out we stop using our brains. How many times have you gone on “autopilot” in work, in the car, even at home? How many full days of work have you gone through that you couldn’t remember at the end. This is the opposite of expansion. We can only grow and expand through new experiences. The truth is money is nothing. Money is just a piece of paper until you do something with it. But what it can provide is choice, the choice to have new experiences. The freedom to choose what experiences will bring you the most joy and fulfillment.
When we grow we benefit more than just ourselves. We become an example to others. We can help other people to grow by showing them what’s possible. We can set our children up to fulfill their potential by providing them with our time and new experiences. How many times have you heard people complain of the limiting beliefs that they had been handed down by their parents? Like, “You have to work hard to deserve money.” What if you could give your children beliefs that helped them thrive? Your children will pick up your beliefs, your way of talking. They look to you for their ultimate example of how to live life. What if you were giving them an example of abundant living instead of one of struggle? You can have the same affect on other people in your circle of influence as well. You can show more people what’s possible. That it really is possible to live an abundant and spiritually fulfilling life. How many times has someone else’s story inspired you to do something better yourself? To aim for more? What if you were that story?
The other aspect is what money will allow you to do for others. If you remain poor you are a drain on the people who care about you, either financially or emotionally. But if you have money you can help and support the other people in your life. You can also be more of a cause for good in the world. You can reach more people and have a wider influence.
Now while these are all powerful reasons to pursue personal wealth it’s still personal. So how do you internalize this reasoning and really change a belief you may have held for a long time?
The answer is in visualization.
First, visualize your future if you continue to have remain in your current financial situation. Think of the people it affects. If it continues for long will you need financial help from those who care about you? Will you contribute to other people believing life is difficult? What will your life look like in five years time? And your loved ones? As with any visualization make this as real as possible. What conversations are you having? Where are you having them?
Now once you have that picture firmly in your mind move on to the opposite picture:
What if you were financially abundant enough to do or have anything you wanted? How would this affect the other people in your life? Imagine speaking to them and the powerful conversations you will have. Imagine the places you can visit and the new people you can reach out to. Imagine your personal development or spiritual studies, how much further can you take it? Again, make this real. If you were financially free what would you be doing in five years time. What would you be creating and contributing?
I know if I was working a job I would not be writing this blog right now. I had a dream several years ago to reach and help people all over the world. I remember expressing this dream to a friend and mentor who is a self-made millionaire. I told him I had a voice and I wanted to be heard and to help others. He asked me one question: What results are you having? Because results are what make people pay attention.
If you were abundant, how could you change the world?
Do this exercise just once or twice and you will realize, being poor is selfish, and the best thing you could do for yourself and the world is to allow yourself to experience as much abundance and personal growth as you can imagine.
