5/08 Archives

"When you realize that by changing your perspective, big things can be seen as little things, it becomes much harder to worry about anything."
Mike Dooley www.tut.com
May already! It seems like springtime just arrived and already I am noticing the weather is starting to feel like summertime. For me, the time has slipped by because I just became a Grandmother! An exciting and joyous event and change in my life. My grandson, Everest, was born on May 2^nd and I was able to be there for the entire birth, even though it was a C-section. I felt truly blessed to be a part of it all. Moreover, I want to share my lovely grandson with you all with a photo of me holding him just a few days into his new life.

Being I have been so otherwise distracted with this exquisite, effervescent new life, I was contemplating my topic I wanted to pursue for my Money Minute e-newsletter. As I was reflecting upon subject, my editor suggested a wonderful idea of a "STAYcation." What is that you say? A newly coined phrase she read about ... so read on, and find out!

All last week a favorite motivational preacher that I enjoy listening to was speaking on happiness being a choice. The idea captured my attention and something inside of me shifted. I realized that this is absolutely the truth about life, that no matter what we are doing, where we are, or what we are dealing with, HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE. No exceptions.

I believe that we always have choice in our lives. Maybe, now, the choice looks bleak or out of your hands, yet you do have options. I have noticed this for myself. No matter what the moment has to offer, I have the choice to accept or reject it. That is especially true for those things seemingly out of your control.

Many of you feel out of control with your money. It doesn't seem to matter if you have a lot or a little, the feeling exists. Whether you are employed with a steady paycheck coming in or self-employed with a fluctuating cash flow, the "out of control" feeling is a common, dominant theme I hear that often, and understand it. Yet you do have a choice in every moment, no matter what. You have a choice to make new decisions, each moment, minute, hour, and day.

The most powerful thing that you can do for yourself is to stay PRESENT to what is right now. What I am noticing for my clients and myself is the strong urge to live in the past, rehashing old stories about our money life or making up new scenarios for the future. Neither approach is helpful and actually causes much stress. In addition, neither place is the truth for you right now.

Make a decision to enjoy NOW. See happiness and fun in every moment. Eckhart Tolle has spoken to this with profound clarity; that each moment must be made up of acceptance, enjoyment, and enthusiasm (see A New Earth on book recommendations page). If not, then abandon the idea you are considering.

Oh yes, the wonderful NEW word that Laura Hulka (aka Readerwoman) discovered... It means a "stay-put vacation where you vacation at home - exploring your town, or nearby, having friends over, sharing a potluck BBQ, a swim, or any other delicious idea that tickles your fancy." link to staycation

This very idea speaks to CHOICE and choosing FUN in every moment. I often see clients pushing their financial picture for vacation, only seeing it as GOING AWAY to some elaborate place. I do my best as a financial counselor to help them see another way, which vacation is NOT about the destination, but about being present to NOW and enjoying it as it stands. No money involved with that!