I love the book, The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist.
It is a book I highly recommend and wish that everyone would read. Since I know many people will not read the whole book, this article highlights what this book says and what I learned from it.
When I read this book I wished I had written it. I would like to write a book about money some day and this book said so much of what I believe to be true. Lynne Twist has a background with The Hunger Project that gives her a unique perspective of seeing and working with people that have both a lot of money and those with very little. She learned and saw the differences and commonalities of both sides.
You can go directly to Lynne Twist’s site for the book to learn more, www.soulofmoney.org
Lynne Twist said (and I completely agree) that “everyone wants to love and be loved and make a difference with their lives.” I believe that from a place of love we do and will make a difference with our lives, some on a small scale and others on a bigger scale. But the difference you make with even one person can have a long lasting and profound impact with every life they then touch. Don’t underestimate your power and the significance of what you do and how you live your life – with your friends, family, co-workers, clients and community.
Lynne Twist wrote in The Soul of Money, “What became clear was that when people were able to align their money with their deepest, most soulful interests and commitments, their relationship with money became a place where profound and lasting transformation could occur. Their money – no matter the amount – became the conduit for this change.”
Money is a manmade tool designed to make the exchange of goods and services easier.
Lynne Twist in The Soul of Money presents three central myths about our cultural beliefs of scarcity and money.
They are:
1. There’s Not Enough.
This is the belief that there is a limited supply and we all must compete with each other to get what we want.This belief creates fear and often “makes” us do things we are not proud of.
With this concept, for you to win someone else must lose or be left out or lacking.Most choices in our society are viewed as win-lose.Like Stephen Covey, I recommend that you think and believe in win-win and that there is enough for everyone.
2. More Is Better.
This is so true and prevalent in our American society.It is about keeping up with the Joneses who are always going after and wanting more, more, more. We believe and act according to the idea that “more has to be better.”
There is no winning with this belief.You are never satisfied.You are constantly working towards and thinking about the next thing.So much so, that we do not enjoy the here and now and what we do have.We are not living mindfully with the “more is better” attitude.
This belief also relates to how we define ourselves, our success or achievement by what we own and our net worth.All too often we think of our self-worth as being related to our net worth.They are not related.
I recommend that my clients stop and think about what is ENOUGH.
Do I really need more? What is the cost to me and my time and energy to get more? (Do I really need a 6 bedroom house with 6 bathrooms for just me and my husband?)
I do think there is a shift occurring with regards to this belief of “More is Better.” People are questioning and prioritizing their time and quality of life over accumulating more things and “stuff” that they do not truly need.
3. That’s Just the Way It Is.
This is the belief that you cannot make a difference or make a change with your own financial situation or even on the bigger scale economy. You believe you are stuck and go to a feeling of hopelessness and helplessness so you don’t do anything.
Unfortunately, many of us are complacent and lazy and just go with the flow.This belief justifies or rationalizes our behaviors for not taking action or even trying to make a change. “That’s just the way it is,” is “giving up.” You are giving up your power and ability to choose something different.
We can only control what we do and what we decide to make of a situation. There is power in taking action and doing what you think is right. A small stone can have a wide ripple effect.
I challenge you to think about these three “Toxic Myths” and notice how prevalent they are for you or for those around you. I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on them.
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