Awesome Wealthy Woman Answers, 'Can I Have Money And Still Be Spiritual?'

You may not know this about me, but I am (among other things) a classical Feng Shui consultant.  Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art and science of analyzing the energies in a home, workplace or commercial space and their impact on those who live or work there.  When the energies are out of balance, changes are recommended to create the necessary balance and harmony.

When I opened my business in 2007, I very quickly gained a clientele among holistic practitioners, helping them to set up their treatment rooms and clinic spaces for healing and prosperity.

One of the things I noticed was that those in the healing professions often undercharged for their services, or gave them away for free.  They had a very deeply-rooted belief that you shouldn’t make money from doing healing work, or at least, not a lot of money.

This is, of course, completely untrue.  Each of us is gifted with certain talents and abilities and we received them for a reason – to be of service to others.

You wouldn’t expect to see a lawyer and not pay for their services.  So why should those whose work involves healing not expect to be paid as well? 

There is no such thing as a “one-sided equation”.  Each party must contribute something to the transaction.  One person provides the service and the other provides payment in exchange for the benefits they have received.

There is a spiritual conflict that many holistic practitioners (and others) wrestle with and I would like to address the whole issue of spirituality and money.

Money is energy.  In and of itself it is neither good nor bad…it just is.

Spirit is our higher self expressed through our human experience and while money is not a requirement for living in the realm of spirit, it most certainly is required to purchase food, clothing, a roof over our heads and all that is necessary to preserve and improve our lives and the lives of those we care about.

In the Bible, God blessed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden with plenty…everywhere they turned there was abundance – it was their natural environment.

Just as a fish doesn’t question the water it swims in, or wonder if there is enough water, or if it is using too much water, we shouldn’t be concerned about the abundance that is our birthright.

When you use your spiritual and personal gifts and talents in the service of others, and receive fair payment in exchange, you increase your financial resources.  More money means you have more to use in support of those causes you care about.

In other words, the more you earn, the more you can share with others.

Money is not only energy, it is creative energy.  How much more could you create with additional money at your disposal?

When you think about it in this way, isn’t it our responsibility to be successful financially?

Why not try thinking about money as a tangible expression of how much service you are giving to others?

The more service you provide, the more your bank balance improves.  The more financial resources you have, the more you can do in the service of others.

Instead of seeing a “catch-22”, see it as an elegant expression of infinity.

Can you have money and still be spiritual?  My answer is a resounding ‘YES!’

If you are struggling with money issues, and especially becoming comfortable with receiving and having more money, I am here to help you.

If connecting with me for assistance in shifting your beliefs about money feels right for you, please call me at 705.881.1846 or 1.844.881.1846 or email me at Patti@AwesomeWealthyWoman.com and I would be delighted to speak with you personally.

“My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee the more I have, for both are infinite.” ~ Juliet, Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare

Awesome Wealthy Woman Asks 'Can Your Money Hear You?'

Do you remember being told as a child, “Don’t speak until you’re spoken to”?

Or maybe, “Children should be seen and not heard”.

Either way, we were taught to believe that what we had to say wasn’t important.

That’s a tough mindset to overcome when we become adults – especially as women. 

We often sublimate our thoughts and feelings, particularly about money and money-related issues.  We believe (mistakenly) that keeping our thoughts to ourselves will allow us to stay on an even keel – not “rock the boat” – and that things will somehow turn out okay.

There are a number of problems with adopting this approach and the one I want to address today is that of not claiming what is ours.

When we give up responsibility for and control of our money, we disempower ourselves.

Maybe you tell yourself that “money is hard” or “I was never good at math” or “I’ll just let my husband take care of everything for me”.

The first statement is not true, if you learn the basics about how to manage money effectively.

The second statement may or may not be true and yet it is a common limiting belief amongst women.

The third statement is nothing more nor less than abdication of your responsibility for your financial knowledge and direction.

You may not have enjoyed sitting through math class.  I forced myself to take math in high school, even after it became an ‘option’ as opposed to a required course, simply to give myself the discipline to work with the numbers and understand what was going on.

The real issue here, as I have talked about many times, is your relationship with your money.

What is money hearing from you?

If you tell it, “You’re hard” or “I’m not good at being with you” or “I’m going to send you away to someone else to take care of”, what do you think your money is hearing?

It’s hearing – GO AWAY!!! 

It’s hearing – I’m afraid of you, I can’t cope with you, I don’t know what to do with you…

And you know what?  It does exactly what you tell it to do – it goes away.

So, how can you be surprised when you look up and say, “I don’t have any money”?  when you’re the one who sent it away?

Starting today, I want you to really begin to treat your money as if it was another human being.

Make it feel welcome.  Celebrate its arrival.  Invite it to come and spend more time with you.  Treat your money as if it were an honored guest in your life.

Be certain that what money hears from you is, “I’m happy you’re here with me” and “I’m so excited about the wonderful things we can do together” and “I’m so grateful to be able to share you with others”.

Changing the way you think about money and your relationship with it can be a struggle at first and there are many tools and strategies available to  support you in making this vital change.

If connecting with me for assistance in shifting your money relationship (and conversation) feels right for you, please call me at 705.881.1846 or 1.844.881.1846 or email me at Patti@AwesomeWealthyWoman.com and I would be delighted to speak with you personally.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” ~ William Arthur Ward

Awesome Wealthy Woman Says “Fall In Love With Your Money”

There is a question I often ask when I am speaking to a group of people:

“If money were your lover…would you still be having sex?”

The responses to this question – physical and verbal – offer an enormous insight into what is happening in the person’s financial life.

The responses have ranged from a somewhat joking, “No…I’ve got a headache” to the extreme reaction of a client who, when I posed the question, immediately went into a defensive posture.

Their shoulders shot up under their ears…their arms were crossed tightly across their chest and their brow was deeply furrowed.

“Oh no…” the voice was constrained and I could hear the pain in their words.

This was the most dramatic demonstration of the kind of dysfunctional relationship many people have with their money.

When I probed more deeply into this person’s money history, they confessed to feeling fear about money and wanting to run away from it.  They didn’t want to have anything to do with it.

I then posed the question, “If money was a person, and you treated them the way you have just reacted, do you think they would want to stay and spend time with you?”

“No…I guess not”, was the quiet answer.

Whether you realize it or not, you have a relationship with your money and, if you don’t have enough of it in your life, there’s a very good chance that you have created a dysfunctional relationship with it.

So I ask my clients what their relationship with money is like…

….do they cross the street and hurry to get away from it?

…do they have a nodding acquaintance with it?

…are they happy to see it?

…are they actively welcoming and inviting more money into their lives?

What about you? 

What is your relationship with your money?

Today, I challenge you to look within – with open eyes, mind and heart – and see what the truth of your relationship with money truly is.

Are you uncomfortable just thinking about it? 

Where in your body do you feel this discomfort?

What if you allowed yourself to have a different kind of relationship with money? 

One that didn’t entail struggle or hardship?  One that didn’t mean you had to put off doing what you really feel called to do in favor of getting a regular pay cheque every two weeks?

What if you could change your relationship to that of a partnership?

What if you and money could be co-creators of the life you really want to live?

How would things be different for you if you started living from that belief?

You have the power to change this extremely important relationship from one of disconnect to one of joy, excitement, purpose and abundance.

For the next  week, try thinking of your money in this new way.  Be grateful for every bit of money that you receive – no matter how small – and celebrate its arrival in your life!

I urge my clients to keep a Money Calendar so they can record everything that comes to them.

If you would like a copy of the Money Calendar that I use, please email me at Patti@AwesomeWealthyWoman.com with your name and email address and write “Money Calendar” in the subject line.

If connecting with me for assistance in shifting your money relationship feels right for you, please call me at 705.881.1846 or 1.844.881.1846 or email me at Patti@AwesomeWealthyWoman.com and I would be delighted to speak with you personally.

“Be thankful for what you have, you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you’ll never have enough.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

Awesome Wealthy Woman Hears “I Overspend Because I’m Lonely”

You may not want to hear this – it’s just 58 days until Christmas!

Have you started your shopping yet? 

Do you know how much you are going to spend this year? (and do you know how much you spent last year?)

Too often, come January, I hear people moaning and complaining about how much money they spent on gifts, decorations, new wardrobe and entertaining over the holidays.

One of the discoveries they usually make is that at least some of their spending was on themselves and was intended to make them feel better about what can be a difficult time of year.

Perhaps your children have all grown up enough to be out on their own…and they’ve just told you that they won’t be coming home for Christmas this year.

Perhaps you’ve lost a loved one recently and you are dreading facing this first holiday season without them.

The failure of a marriage, or the difficulties of successfully blending two families can also contribute to the emotional challenges of this time of year.

When we get overly emotional, we can sometimes attempt to fill the ‘void’ with retail therapy and, while it may help to lift the mood in the short term, it can often add to the unhappiness we are feeling.

If you are tempted to overspend this holiday season, here are some suggestions:

1)  Set a budget for each type of spending (gifts, decorations, food, clothing, travel, etc.)

2)  Set a budget for spending on yourself

3)  Shop with a list

4)  Keep an eye on your local paper for holiday-themed events that are no-cost / low-cost
     to keep you occupied (and out of the stores)

5)  Look for opportunities to volunteer over the holiday season and discover the joy of giving
     of yourself, your time and your caring

Finally, if you are coping with loss or separation this year, set aside some time to remember those you won’t be spending time with and allow yourself to feel the gratitude for all that you shared together.

Then, think about a new tradition you would like to start for the holidays and make this a season of new beginnings.

Are you struggling with how to manage the holidays this year (financially and emotionally)?  Learning new strategies and coping skills can help you rekindle the joy and start the new year with renewed enthusiasm.

If connecting with me for assistance feels right for you, please call me at 705.881.1846 or 1.844.881.1846 or email me at Patti@AwesomeWealthyWoman.com and I would be delighted to speak with you personally.

"I don't need a holiday or a feast to feel grateful for my children, the sun, the moon, the roof over my head, music, and laughter, but I like to take this time to take the path of thanks less traveled." ~ Paula Poundstone

Awesome Wealthy Woman Asks “Do You Measure Your Success With Money?”

Many years ago, I was between jobs and answered an ad for what was, essentially, a direct sales position.

After completing an extensive testing session, I was finally admitted to the office of the man who was to interview me for the job.

He flipped through the pages of the test, asking me all sorts of questions - which gave me more of an insight into the way he and his company functioned (not so much interested in personal integrity) than perhaps he gleaned from my answers.

Finally, he paused and looked at me with a furrowed brow and said, “You’ve rated yourself as a success on this question…but you’re not working…how can you call yourself a success?”

I was stunned.

Was his sole definition of success the amount of money someone earned?

What about the contributions I had made to past employers and clients?

What about the community work I had been involved in?

What about the continuing education courses I had pursued?

Did these have no value?

I knew right then that this was NOT the job, nor the company, for me and I left.  I was not prepared to compromise my personal integrity and I knew that my decision was absolutely the right one.  I wasted no time moving on in my job search.

Over the years, I have met many people who define themselves – and their success - solely by the amount of money that they earn.  They are often unhappy with that amount and don’t see how they can change it (if they are working for someone else).

This usually leads to a discussion about the difference between worth and value.

From the moment you are born into this world, you are intrinsically worthy.  You don’t have to “do” anything to be worthy.  

Value is what we offer through the goods and services that we provide, whether to an employer (as one of their employees) or our clients, if we are business owners.

Although you may not receive multiple 6-figures for the value that you contribute, that doesn’t mean that you’re not worthy and it certainly doesn’t mean that you’re not successful.

Money is only one measure of the contribution that we make in the world and our belief about what it says about us is purely subjective.

If you want to understand what truly reflects your level of success in life, ask the people you know how what you do contributes to their lives and the lives of others.

Do you help them accomplish a goal?

Do you help them alleviate pain (emotional, physical and/or spiritual)?

Do you do something which they can’t do for themselves?

Do you help them to grow?

Do you help them to feel better about themselves?

Money is an important factor, but it is not the only indicator of your success. 

The truth is, when you do work and provide service that is in alignment with the highest good for your clients or customers, co-workers and colleagues and yourself, you are a success.

If you want to increase the amount of money you receive, increase the value you deliver first…and the money will follow.

Are you interested in learning more about the difference between worth and value and how these two are manifesting in your life?

If connecting with me for assistance feels right for you, please call me at 705.881.1846 or 1.844.881.1846 or email me at Patti@AwesomeWealthyWoman.com and I would be delighted to speak with you personally.

“Yesterday I was clever.  I wanted to change the world.  Today I am wise.  I am changing myself.” ~ Rumi

Awesome Wealthy Woman Recommends the Power of Gratitude

Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada and I have so much to be grateful for this year.

2014 has rocked my family with health issues ranging from congestive heart failure to breast cancer to Type 2 Diabetes and a misdiagnosis of kidney cancer for me.

Thankfully, we are all still here and recovering from our individual health challenges.

Today, I am grateful for good health.

When life throws you hard balls that knock you flat, it can drain your emotions, your energy, your finances and your will to carry on.

My rock and foundation are the faith I have in my God and His never-wavering care for and protection of me.

No matter how dark things may seem, how hard the challenge, how ill-equipped I might feel to deal with what I’m facing, I return again and again to my favourite Bible verse:

            “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord,
            “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give
             you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Today, I am grateful for my faith.

This year, there have been amazing opportunities to share transformation with clients, colleagues and the many new people who have discovered Awesome Wealthy Woman. 

In January, I presented my first ever 1-day live event, “Awaken the Awesome Wealthy Woman Within” and attracted 23 awesome women who shared the day with me.  A second event in mid-May allowed me to expand my reach and introduce new content to those who attended.

On November 8^th, I will run this event for the third and final time in 2014.  There is so much more to share and I am excited to have yet another chance to be the catalyst for transformation.

Today, I am grateful for the opportunity to share with and serve my growing community.

As those of you who read last week’s blog know, my husband and I celebrated our 9^th wedding anniversary last Wednesday.  It took a very, very long time to find the perfect partner – and we are partners on ‘Team Smith’ – and we are looking forward to growing old together and making our particular dreams come true.

Today, I am grateful for my beloved husband and our love, which deepens daily.

Abundance and prosperity – and, therefore, wealth – are inextricably tied to the gratitude you feel for everything you already have in your life.

Despite the challenges you may be facing in this moment, there are always things for which you can be grateful.

Many years ago, when I was writing in my Gratitude Journal one evening, I got a phone call from a friend.  When I said I was writing in my Gratitude Journal, she made a derisive sound and said, “Well, I’VE got nothing to be grateful for!”

“Really?!?”, I asked.

“Are you driving your car?” – “Yes”

“Are you breathing?” – “Yes”

“Have you eaten today?” – “Yes”

“Do you have a home to go to tonight?” – “Yes”

“Are you going to work tomorrow?” – “Yes – OK, I get it! I guess I do have a lot to be grateful for.”

Today, I am grateful for all the gifts and blessings in my life – including you!

“Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.”  ~ A.A. Milne

Awesome Wealthy Woman is Celebrating Love (and 9 Years of Marriage)

One of the things that those who are suffering a lack of financial resources often forget is that wealth is about more than just money and the balance in your bank account.

Wealth includes your health and relationships – with yourself, your family, friends, colleagues, clients and especially with your husband/wife/partner.

Even the strongest and most capable person needs the support and encouragement of a loved one…someone who believes in them and helps to lift them up when life presents challenges.

I am blessed to have such a husband in my life and it was 9 years ago today that I had the honour of becoming his bride and equal partner on “Team Smith”, as we like to call ourselves.

We’ve set and met many goals together over our 13 years together – some financial and some in other areas – and I cannot stress enough how important it has been to be working together and sharing the journey with love, humour and mutual respect.

There will always be ebb and flow in our lives - and in our financial situations - and it is essential to have someone who can pick up the slack when you need it and for you to be able to do the same for them.

So today, I offer my gratitude and undying love to my wonderful husband and look forward to sharing many more awesome years together.

Happy Anniversary, my love!

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” ~ Winston Churchill