AFFLUENCE.
This is my word of the year. My goal for 2010 is to experience financial freedom for our family. This is something I’ve always wanted but now is the only time I’m really focusing on it.
One thing I’ve been working on is changing my beliefs and attitudes toward money because I think those are vital factors in determining how much money you’ll have.
Remember how people used to say:
Money doesn’t grow on trees.
Money is the root of all evil.
You have to work HARD to earn money.
People who have a lot of money all end up UNHAPPY.
I bet those who firmly believe in this are still stuck at being poor.
Here’s what I choose to believe:
“Money DOES grow on trees.”
You won’t have money if you sleep all day, dream about having a lot of it and wait for a tree of money to grow beside you. BUT if you have faith that GOD made an abundant Universe with more than enough riches to go around for everybody, when you believe that HE will provide for all your needs (and wants too) then you’ll find that money comes to you.
Suddenly, you get a raise, you are offered opportunities to earn more money or you receive money from unexpected sources. These are all trees that grew from the seed of your faith. And money is right there on the branches waiting to be picked.
But here’s an important thing to remember: you need to pick the money. Even if the money falls from the tree, you still need to catch it if you want to get it. Some may define this as hard work. But I like to call it: TAKING INSPIRED ACTION.
When you get a raise, you need to work efficiently to retain it. When you get offered an opportunity to earn more money, seek God’s guidance (or your intuition and good judgment) then grab the opportunity and work it to the hilt. When you receive unexpected money, spend some but save more and make your money grow. This doesn’t have to be hard. This could be easy. Which brings me to my next belief:
“You can earn money EFFORTLESSLY.”
Years ago, I was working as a TV producer for different shows. I loved the work and it was fun. It felt like an adventure. But then when I got married and I became a mom, my priorities changed and I felt that my work was really work. I was on call most of the time, I didn’t have weekends all to myself and I didn’t have work benefits that I need for my family.
Right about this time, I got offered a regular job (Ting! Did a light bulb just pop over your head?) to build blogs and write content for TV shows. Back then, I was already enjoying blogging and surfing the waves of the web so that job was effortless for me. Later on, my job evolved to being a Lifestyle writer for our news website — a job which I do enjoy — so it’s still effortless for me.
When I say effortless, it doesn’t mean that I don’t do anything or I don’t get physically or mentally exhausted. My definition of effortless is work that doesn’t feel like work because I enjoy doing it. So even if I’m physically or mentally exhausted sometimes, I see that as part of the job. But my job is still enjoyable for me.
I earn money doing something I enjoy.
What if I’m in a job that I don’t enjoy? I hear you. That used to be my excuse / complaint too.
Here’s the thing: I always believe you have a choice in everything you do. Either you leave and find a better job or you stay and change your attitude.
If you choose to leave and find a better job, congratulations! You’ve made a tough choice but if you find what you’re looking for, you’ll be more profitable in the long run.
If you choose to stay, then throw those complaints away. Change your attitude about your work, your colleagues, and your boss. See, enjoyment is a subjective thing. No one can enjoy your job for you. It’s something you have to do yourself. Find reasons to be grateful about your job. Look at your colleagues and your boss as people who are helping you to prosper. Don’t be surprised if, after adopting a more positive attitude, everyone treats you better and everything goes more smoothly for you. Try it and see.
“Money is neutral. Money is GOOD if you use it for GOOD.”
If you love money, money will love you back. Loving money is good. I can hear the battling voices in your head, “But that’s greed. That’s bad, that’s a mortal sin.”
Well then, let’s review what greed means:
Greed : a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (as money) than is needed. (Merriam – Webster)
Notice the word selfish in the definition? My take on greed is “a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (as money) than is needed” and fulfilling that desire at the expense of other people. That’s plain greed.
But love for money is different. Because when you love money, you seek good ways to earn it, you use it bring happiness to your loved ones and you share it to as many people as you possibly can. When you do these, then you’ll be living proof of my next belief.
“People who have a lot of money and A LOT OF LOVE in their life are always HAPPY.”
In fact, even if you don’t have a lot of money but if you have a lot of love in your life, you’ll always be happy. I’ve read somewhere that money acts like a magnifying glass, it just enlarges what you already are or how you already live your life.
If you’re a loving and generous person even now, you’ll become more of that. If you like taking out your wife and kids to simple dates at the mall, you’ll do more of that — maybe in different malls all over the world. 
But if you’re a miserable person who constantly finds negative things about life and laments about your poor conditions, well…. you know the answer. Don’t be surprised if you stay poor or even if you suddenly get a lot of money, you’re still unhappy or you end up poor anyway.
These are my beliefs. I know that these beliefs coupled with my inspired actions will make me really, really affluent. 
I like the word affluence because its etymology means to flow. Flowing abundance. Flowing wealth. That sounds really good, doesn’t it?
You have the power to choose your own beliefs about money and about everything else in your life. Choose beliefs that empower you and bring you good.
Every morning, I see the birds out our window flying from tree to tree, presumably looking for breakfast and singing while they’re at it. Just think, if God cares for and provides for these little birds’ daily needs, don’t you think He will care more and provide more for you?
Trust Him. Thank Him for what you already have now. Believe that He is sending you more wealth and prosperity in the days to come. And watch the miracles flowing into your life.
It all starts with faith that money grows on trees.
I’m Jayme and this is my online journal. I love writing, books, chocolate and moleskine journals. I love learning about creative visualization and deliberate creation. Thank you for stopping by. If you feel inspired, feel free to leave a comment or