Money. My Thoughts on it.

Money. My thoughts on it. What's the first word that comes to mind when I say the word MONEY? For me, my first thought is...pencils!

Girl, you crazy! What do pencils have to do with money?

2/2/2020-Religion teaches us that money is the root of all evil. Crime teaches us the lack of money is the root of all evil. Well, what if you changed the word money to pencils? I need to exchange 400,000 pencils to own this building. I need to exchange 3 pencils for a Starbucks coffee. Think of that for a moment. When you replace the word "money" with such a harmless word as "pencils," it changes your perspective on the whole wealth concept. In short, money is just a tool, just as pencils are just a tool.

There is no doubt that money is a unique creature. It comes in the form of paper or, more recently, electronic digits traded from person to person for goods and services.

Our ancestors planted and hunted for their food, they cut down wood to build their shelters, and they gathered firewood for a source of energy. The basics of survival haven't changed that much. We just replaced the words Shelter, Hunt, and Fire with Mortgage, Groceries, and Utilities. We still need the basics, but we go to our business or job and exchange time and talent to acquire these things. When you think of money that way, it's pretty logical, right? We humans don't often view the world in logical terms; we base it on our thoughts and feelings towards it.

Your thoughts and feelings about money will impact your financial results, so don't be intimidated.

So how do you feel about money?

I love money. I love the idea of money. I love the amount of good you can do with it. I love finding ways to grow it. I love the concept of trading goods and services for it. I am invigorated when I go to a farmers market and buying items directly from the hands that made it. I don't like using coupons or something at discounted price. If I feel I am receiving a good, quality product or service I am happy to pay full price for it. I love giving a big tip if I receive excellent service. Money brings me comfort, enjoyment and helps create unforgettable memories. Money allows me more time to enjoy what's important to me, to work on my passion without compromising my beliefs.

Money is a double edge sword. If the word MONEY makes you feel intimated, hopeless, poor, limited, overwhelmed, you're not alone. Lack of money can leave you homeless and hungry. Money can ruin family relationships, ask any estate lawyer what they have to deal with after the kid's parents are gone. Money can break up marriages and childhood friendships. Lack of money can force a good person to do bad things.

Our need for money, our awareness of its importance, brings money to life. Money is a force driven by our thoughts and can take on a life of its own. Ask any banker; they recognize it. If a banker senses your lack of confidence and desperation, they will ghost you like a "Stage 5 Clinger" on a dating app.

Choose to have a positive, excited, and hopeful attitude toward money. Breathe life into this idea. Money isn't the enemy; it's your business partner. Call her Molly or Mike instead of Money. Like any good relationship, if you are respectful and patient, if you invest your time getting to know this subject, the payoff returns WILL pleasantly surprise you. Fist bump!