My uplifting mentor SARK just posted her 1990 artwork How To Relax About Money on her online SARK Journal. She suggests rewriting RECESSION to read MONEY RECESS and encourages us all to feel free about money.
Photo Credit:SARK
This is your moment!
Do you beleive what you are worth is not about money? Is that easier said than done in your stage of life? Can you calmly take a money recess until this economic crisis is over? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
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Hi Stacey. Good perspectives! Thanks.
This is one recess that I can’t wait to be over. Although I’m not panicking I feel uncomfortable “feeling” and hearing other people’s reactions to this. I’m currently not working and living off some retirement funds I had stashed away. My last statement showed a 10K loss that shocked me for a minute. But then I realized that this 10K was not a win or a loss unless I sold everything. I had made way more than that over the years with accumulated monies.
And, last weekend I really pushed the envelope. I went out and bought a new computer, complete with a 22″ screen. I’m in heaven! No more hunching over my laptop. But, I will breathe easier when things have settled down.
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We’re not in money recess here in Australia, but there’s definitely panic and I am trying hard not to let it affect me. I used to have a lot of fear wrapped up with money and I did the work to move past that, but it’s amazing how an avalanche of negative voices can start to rattle. I just keep chanting every day: “I am safe. I am well. All is good with my life.”
I love this little piece by SARK. I must try and find one of her books.
Kelly
With all the “doom and gloom” we hear, these economic times can seem daunting. Especially if we are directly affected. I’m not exactly sure where I’m at on this – as we are not yet affected by this downturn. In fact, just last night, my wife and I were discussing really how fortunate we have been not be feel the effects of the current economy. And then we discussed the importance of giving more of what we have away. That’s easy to do when times are good. I’m not sure I would handle it the same way were we in a more difficult financial situation. Sadly. It’s like a scarcity versus abundance mentality. And it’s much easier to have an abundance mentality when you are blessed with many gifts. And another thing altogether when you feel pinched yourself.
Stacey, thanks for the reminder that our real “worth” is not what we have in the bank, or in a retirement plan…it’s who we are…good food for thought right now.
I have no complaints about the recession, since I’m always in a recession myself, lol..Having gratitude in the smallest thing usually does the trick for me to cope with!
Fantastic perspective! A positive attitude is contagious!
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@Daring Davina – Even though I’m working on staying calm, I can’t wait until it’s over too.
@Creative Kelly – Glad to know you are not having a money recess in Australia. I keep chanting a similar mantra too.
@Luminous Lance – I do believe real worth is not what you have in the bank or in a retirement plan. I balance that knowledge with wanting to retire at a reasonable age and wanting to be able to take care of my children.
@Grateful BC – Gratitude for what we have is a precious gift during this economic crisis.
@Spectacular M – A positive attitude is contagious (thank goodness)!
I read Lance each day and I really enjoyed his post and decided to link over. Then I saw SARK. I have every book that SARK has written. I just them. So bright, and colorful, and full of wisdom. I gather a great deal of inspiration from her writing. Sometimes I catch myself wanting to rewrite exactly what she has written. I pick up one of her books at least once a day.
It is so important to remember what real worth is. I know with this entire economic crunch that we are heading in I am already laying some new groundwork for my spending. It is funny, my children are actually realizing that they can “block” certain wishes out of their head if they think about their own “self worth” and the little extras in life are not always needed.
This was a great post and thank you for sharing. I look forward to reading your post in the future.
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Hi – such a timely subject, and illustrates the timelessness of a message. Pete and I decided to do a series on our blog about how we’re feeling, what we’re doing to mitigate, and upon what we ultimately rely, so we kicked it off today. It seems that there is so much good residing within the challenges we all face, and that in giving we get.
Thanks for a great post!
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Oh, and we Michigan girls need to stick together, too!
Betsys last blog post..RELIANCE
Stacey, I just read your interview on Lance’s page, so I am checking out your blog. Thank you for this wonderful, fresh perspective on the current economic situation.
I think it would benefit everyone to take stock of what’s really important in their lives and to be grateful for what they have instead of panicking. In general I think it’s good to “take inventory” every now and then, to de-clutter, and to find ways to spend less instead of more. It stimulates creativity, and we end up with much less excess.
Great blog! Thanks again. = )
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@Kind Tammy – Welcome to CreateaBalance.com! SARK is my greatest mentor. I spent the Memorial Day weekend with her during a Juicy Pens Thirsty Paper workshop and it literally changed my life. I’m looking forward to you joining the Create a Balance community.
@Gracious Betsy – Welcome to CreateaBalance.com! I visited you blog and will be back to read more. I checked out your gallery and instantly hooked when I saw a picture of the Dog Patch! Bliss. I spent many many summers outside of Munising. Good times! Good times! I’m looking forward to you joining the Create a Balance community.
@Appreciative RooBabs – Welcome to CreateaBalance.com! I am working on being grateful for what I have and will be riding out the storm. I’m looking forward to you joining the Create a Balance community.
We rely a lot on money, it’s true. There is an opportunity somewhere in the crisis if you allow yourself to see it. It’s a wake up call, really, to ask “What is it I really NEED?” The media is wreaking havoc on our minds. We’ve got to get out of our heads (thinking) and into our body (Feeling.)
I let go of my fear of not having enough money the day I had to go and apply for welfare after my marriage broke up, in order to retrain and go back to school, while raising my babies. It was the worst day of my life and the best day of my life. Now, I make a very comfortable income, and have an extremely secure job, but I still go by the philosophy of ‘if I can’t afford it I don’t buy it’. (Mortgages and car loans being the exception to the rule; but I still try and keep them as low as possible)
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@Thoughtful Stacey Shipman – I agree that it is a wakeup call to re-evaluate how we spend money and how we waste money.
@Clever Urban Panther – Thank you for sharing your powerful story. I agree – if I can’t afford it, I don’t buy it!
Thanks for that! Use to read all of Sark’s book way back in the 90’s.
Love the reminders…
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Necessity is the mother of invention so this will certainly create a lot more resourcefulness. I feel for the folks where money equals survival. I think one of the most important skills for dealing with uncertainty is self-reliance and an inward-outward view over an outside-in view.
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@Dynamic FitMom – Welcome! Sark is my greatest mentor. She is a very bright light in this world. I hope you continue to be part of the Create a Balance community.
@Giving J.D. – Thanks for your perspective.