Day 3: May 3, 2012 ~ The Buck Starts Here

Day 3: May 3, 2012 ~ The Buck Starts Here: Opening to Receive

"The mind flourishes with creative ideas, the hands tingle with ingenuity, opportunities unfold, and blessings abound—all because of the feeling of abundance that came first."

~Eric Butterworth

Today I am grateful beyond words for an awakening in the realm of finances and the quest for abundance and prosperity. I share my experience in hopes that it may resonate with some readers (whoever you are!). It's an area that has eluded me throughout most of my life, even though I was raised in an affluent home in an affluent part of the country. Until recent years I have had an 'elusive' relationship with money—there has been an ebb and flow, but no dedicated effort to harness and direct the energy, no blueprint to follow to build the life of my dreams.

 

One of my heroes in the quest to learn all that I can on the subject is Suze Orman, who I now watch religiously on TV. She teaches us to start where we are, offering simple and empowering steps to take to create financial well-being. Her advice is simple yet profound: "Live below your means, but within your needs", she says. "If you can afford a 2,000 sq. ft. home, buy a 1500 sq. ft. home". What a concept, in this material world, in this day of 'bigger is better,' in an age when one's sense of worth is often connected to the things one owns. She counsels us to stand in our truth and take actions so that we are able to say "I'm glad I did" rather than "I wish I hadn't". YES! This is the shift that I am grateful to have made. It's a brand new day.

 

An important turning point came about a year ago when I was talking with a very dear friend about how I can't seem to put anything aside; there doesn't seem to be enough at the end of the month to put away for the future. This friend (for whom I am immensely grateful) encouraged me to start where I am. She said, "even if it's a dollar a day", start at the level I can—it's about developing a new mental attitude of building abundance. After our phone call, newly inspired, I made the commitment to put aside $1 a day! I found a special box to put the money in—it's a gift box with gold stars and Christmas ornaments and the word JOY on the top. It's my Joy Box.

Some might say, $1 a day, that's not very much. But that first day it might as well have been a million dollars for all that it represented, for the shift in energy that I felt. It represents a shift in consciousness, a huge change in thinking, a commitment to financial well-being. I put a little note inside the box, that says, "THE BUCK STARTS HERE!" As in, I now take responsibility for investing the 'talents' I have been given (think Parable of the Talents). It reminded me of the scene in It's a Wonderful Life, where Jimmy Stewart takes two dollar bills and puts them in the bank safe, saying something about 'Mama dollar' and 'Papa dollar' creating lots of babies! That first dollar bill was the only the beginning. 

 

How exciting it was the first time I gathered up a bundle of those dollar bills and wrote a check to deposit into my IRA. The first of many to come. It feels like the tide has turned, and the channels are now open to receive. The blessings continue to abound, beyond what I could have imagined. While I'm at it, I'll share the affirmations that I repeat as part of a daily practice of gratitude. Feel free to borrow them if you like!

Money comes to me easily and joyously.

Every day in every way my life is getting better and better.

I thrive and prosper doing work that I love that benefits others.

I choose wise stewardship of my finances.

I freely share my talent and my treasure.

 

Wishing you abundant blessings this day and always!