Spirit In Gear

Make Money - Get Happy - Not?

Apparently making money isn't the sure-fire formula for well-being that it used to be.  But do you know why?  Bill McKibben wrote a fascinating, in-depth article, Reversal of Fortune, for Mother Jones (home of "smart, fearless journalism").  You can read it for free here.

Here are a couple of teasers from the article.  The relationship between material wealth and happiness peaked in Western countries at 38% in 1974, and today we are actively experiencing life as "grimmer."

Once basic needs are met, Bill McKibben asserts that life satisfaction, however that is defined, shows some surprising data:  The richest Americans, as defined by Forbes magazine, have identical happiness scores with the Pennsylvania Amish.  He goes on to describe correlations of this factor in other countries too - and why the Irish, Danes, and Mexicans, have more satisfaction.

McKibben quotes an economist who asserts that companionship contributes more to well-being than income.  Yet it is also a delicate dance between the two.  When money is plentiful, and companionship scarce, companionship will add more to subjective well-being.  When there is lots of companionship (as in crowded 3rd world families for example), and little money, an increase in income will add to subjective well-being.

This reminds me of how "rich" I felt when my husband and I first got married.  We grossed $18,000 between the two of us that first year in 1974.  Our rent was only $140 and we had a spectacular apartment view and discretionary money to go out to dinner and the movies, and on nice vacations.  Even though our income has increased exponentially, I don't feel as rich as I did in 1974.

Interesting, provocative essay - worth the read.

Wealth Revisited

Earlier this month I made a shift in how I view wealth - in particular - financial abundance. 

Fifteen days ago I started a prayer asking for financial success in my new real estate investment business.  I noticed that those words didn't "feel" right.  If you've been reading my blog, you know I have learned to trust what I feel.  May you also!

After I acknowledged what didn't feel right, I got it.  In a quiet flash I realized my financial success isn't in question.  With the focus and action I'm taking, that's a given. 

What do I pray for instead?  Here it is.  To be unreservedly OPEN to all the abundance, financial and otherwise, coming my way.  In place of doubt, or any sense of unworthiness, to figuratively (and sometimes literally) open my arms to RECEIVE, seeing the abundance coming my way, feeling it, trusting it, knowing it.  Abundance is my birthright, your birthright.

It's like catching a plane.  We have to show up at the airport and get in the right line to board the plane.  It is my belief that we each hold the ticket to abundance.  But we gotta show up.  Getting in the right line is about matching our "vibration" to that of abundance.  As much as I am able, I look for ways to feel that sense of plenty, of richness, and to steer my thoughts away from lack and limitation.

If you've ever given someone a gift, how did you feel?  I love watching my children (now grown) open their Christmas gifts.  It's delightful when they take pleasure in the act of receiving.  That's what I'm praying for - to condition myself to trade in my "hang dog" persona for that of the expectant child, waiting in excited anticipation for the gifts God waits to share with me. 

This morning before writing this post, I spent time catching up on reading some feeds from fellow bloggers.  It's no accident that I ran across two related posts on wealth.

Tony Clark asks a pivotal question in a recent post - "When will you be wealthy?"  I found Tony's post clear and useful.  He shares an exercise designed to help you measure wealth for yourself, both qualitatively and quantitatively.  Try it and see what you learn.

Likewise, Halina Goldstein wrote a post review on Busting Loose From the Money Game.  She shares the personal changes she's experienced since working with this material, starting with internal shifts.

What shifts have you experienced that we can benefit from hearing about?  Self-awareness is a great thing to share!