This week, we're continuing to take an inventory of your life using the Life Balance Wheel. Last week we discussed your sense of purpose, or where you spend most of your day. For some, it's their job; for others, it's caring for other beings, volunteering, maintaining their home, and sometimes all the above.
If you haven't yet printed out the Wheel of Life handout, you can do that here. Be sure to follow the instructions and check out week one's topic in this recent post.
This week we are diving into a very important and complex area of life, the MONEY. It is complex because it's not just about the quantity of money coming into your life; we also need to consider one's ability to manage money and, most complicated of all, our relationship with money.
Now, you can either divide this piece of the pie on the Life Balance Wheel into three smaller pieces or simply average the three scores to get an overall score for the Money section.
Let's begin:
How would you rate the satisfaction with the quantity of money that comes into your life? You can assess this as an individual or consider it as a couple or family.
On a scale of 1-10, what number would you give it? Consider 10 being very satisfied and 1 not satisfied at all.
Next, how would you rate your capacity and ability to manage the money that comes into your life? Now, I would recommend eliminating your partner, if you have one, from this portion of the consideration. This is about your ability and competency.
Do you know where your money is? Do you pay your bills on time? Do you balance your bank accounts? Do you contribute to your retirement? Do you follow a budget? Again, what number would you give that aspect?The last is your relationship with money. This is the most complex aspect because our relationship with money as an adult can have everything to do with the attitude and conditioning around money as a child.
Here's what I suggest: imagine you are 9-years old and looking through the window of your childhood home. You are witnessing all the characters in this movie, especially the adult(s) in the room, and there is a conversation around money.
What do you see? What does it feel like? Who controls the money? Is there tension or fights around the subject? Are you made to guilty if you want or ask for something? What does that little child, meaning you, feel like?
As a child, do you remember feeling like there was fear or a sense of scarcity around money?
Were you led to believe that your sense of worth or value had to do with what you wore, drove, where you lived, or how much money was in the bank?
Were you taught to treat money like one should treat LOVE? If you have it, you must share it or give it away? You would know this if today you often pick up the tab when going out to dinner. Believe it or not, many of us live with and experience trauma around money. Whether in childhood or as an adult.
So, after considering the above questions, how do you think the attitude about money growing up has influenced you as an adult?
I know that for me I have had no problem buying my children an expensive pair of jeans but would never do that for myself. This is a prime example of how I was raised where my mom would often go without in order to share with others, and we know where and what that leads to! It can certainly influence one's sense of worth and value.
On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your relationship with money today?
Again, if you haven't created three smaller pie pieces, I suggest averaging those three scores to get your number.
I urge you to take this aspect of your life very seriously. Our health around money can influence many other aspects of our life, and you will see this over the following weeks.
Stay with me, and I promise this work will provide you with not only clarity but direction as well.
Next week we will dive into your health.
Have a good week
Love and Light my Friends