About 2 years ago I took a course with the incredible Nona Jordan to “Get Right with Money.” Sort of Funny because I’m a CPA (like Nona), but that doesn’t mean I don’t have irrational fears about finances (or other things, but that’s for another blog). In fact, I had no idea that I had any fears about money until I took that course.
One day she asked me what money meant to me and I quickly said “safety/security” before she could even finish her question. She proceeded to tell me that money was not my safety – that I was my own safety. Her words did not compute with me.
She asked me if I knew that all of the money I had in the bank could disappear with the stroke of a key – it could all get wiped out. I was paralyzed. I didn’t hear another word she said. I froze in complete and total terror. I had to go back and listen to her recording.
Once I was able to start breathing again, I realized that I had a DEEP belief that money equaled safety. I had no idea that fear was driving my every action. I simply thought that the harder I worked and the more money I saved, I would be “safe.”
When I was listened to the recording, Nona explained that if all of my money was wiped out, I would be able to go out and make more money. I was capable of doing whatever was necessary to support myself. I was still skeptical. It sounded like a bunch of crazy talk to me. I wasn’t totally buying what she was telling me. I decided to investigate…
I had no idea that not everyone shared my belief. When I started to consider the source of my money fears, I was able to see who shared my belief and who did not.
Over the last few years, I’ve been experimenting with this concept that I am my own safety. And I’ve realized that in more ways than one, Nona was right.
I can do difficult things. I don’t have to live with fear. I get to decide how I feel about myself, my money, my body and my life.
And since my life is all about living BARE these days, it only made sense that this perfectly fell into place. BARE is about taking care of oneself from a place of love. Not allowing fear to drive our decisions. Living a bigger, braver, more courageous life.
Here’s what I want you to know.
Be your own safety.
You can do it.
Take the leap of faith and trust that you’ll fly.
You can do tough things.
Ask yourself what do you think keeps you safe? Safe from harm or criticism? Safe from failure? Then ask yourself if that’s really true…
