Awesome Wealthy Woman Looks at Family Values and Spending

It’s official … you now have less than 24 days to complete your Christmas holiday shopping.

Do you have a budget for this year or are you just going to dash out, buy everything you can think of for everyone on your list and hope you get to the end of your list before your credit cards are maxed out completely?

Have you taken a moment to really stop and think about why we exchange presents at this time of year?

My religious upbringing was in the Anglican church – singing in the choir and caroling with my friends from school.

When we heard the story of the birth of Jesus, we understood that the wise men brought gifts to honor the arrival of God’s son on Earth.  We give each other birthday presents, so this made perfect sense to me as a child.

The idea that we would receive gifts too, from our family members  - and from Santa – was exciting, and we used to spend hours poring through the holiday gift catalogues, carefully marking every item that we wanted.

We were also taken shopping so that we could buy gifts for our family and friends and it was always an important excursion, which usually included a special lunch.

I have fond memories of decorating the tree as a family and coming into the living room during my parents’ annual Christmas Eve gathering to call up the chimney to Santa the one gift we really, really wanted before being shooed up to bed.

There was magic and a sense of wonder about this important day in the year.

There was a general mood of happiness and anticipation.  Christmas dinner was planned and executed with the greatest attention to detail.  And each year, the time spent with family and friends became more important.

Nowadays, people seem to be running around, oblivious to the real reason for the celebration of Christmas.  Regardless of your religious background, or lack thereof, this time is meant to be a celebration of the ‘family of man’.

While it is lovely to receive a gift that was chosen for us with care from a relative, friend, co-worker or client, the best gifts are the sharing of ourselves – our time, our company, our stories, our laughter – and the creation of new memories of good times spent together.

Instead of spending, spending, spending (and perhaps overspending), why not start a new tradition this holiday season?

Why not make a charitable donation in the name, or memory, of a loved one?

Why not volunteer at a shelter, soup kitchen, or an organization that donates food, gifts and clothing to those who are less fortunate?

Why not make the spirit of giving of ourselves the focus this year?

Please take another look at your list and ensure that there is something on it for someone who would otherwise go without this year.  I guarantee it will make you feel wonderful!

If connecting with me 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.

“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.” ~ Dale Evans

Awesome Wealthy Woman Shows You How To Re-Define Abundance

Most of us think of abundance as “plenty” and that is certainly what we celebrate at Thanksgiving (whether in October in Canada or this week in the U.S.).

We think of the traditional Thanksgiving feast … the plump turkey, the steaming side dishes, the pumpkin pie and/or other seasonal desserts … and the gathering of family and friends.

The image of a cornucopia comes to mind – all the fresh vegetables, newly harvested and ready to be put up for the winter to come, spilling out of the ‘horn of plenty’.

And then there is the modern day fixation on “Black Friday” sales, and shopping, and dashing from store to store and grabbing the last one of [insert latest must-have craze here] and spending, spending, spending until the wallet’s empty and the credit cards are maxed out.

In the U.S., Thanksgiving is often considered by retailers to be bigger than Christmas, in terms of their sales.  They are grateful for the spending frenzy that happens but what about us?  What about our ability to step back and consider what our true abundance looks like?

When I was a child, time with my parents was a precious commodity.  They both worked and there was a brief period between their return home from work, eating dinner, finishing homework and my sister and I getting ready for bed where I could actually have some of their undivided attention.

When I was responsible for arranging a Christmas party for three departments which worked together, I suggested that – instead of the traditional ‘Secret Santa’ gift exchange – we each bring an unwrapped new toy or item that an adult would appreciate to put under the tree.

Our Santa happily received gifts of food, toys and clothing and put them under our tree, instead of handing out less-than-meaningful gifts to people who really didn’t care about them.

One of our staff was a single mother who was struggling to make ends meet and yet, even she came with something for Santa to put under the tree. Her generosity in a time of need in her own life touched us all.

There are many people who are struggling in their lives right now and their focus is firmly fixed on the struggle.

What would happen if they were able to shift their focus to what they do have, instead of what is lacking?

What would happen if you chose to look at the incredible abundance which surrounds you and truly feel gratitude for the time, attention, sharing, compassion and love that is there for you?

This year, be abundant in sharing yourself and enjoy the gifts of the sharing that others will offer to you.

A family friend always wishes us, “Have a blessed day” when we part company.

Now, and always, I wish you a blessed day – every day – and a life filled with true abundance.

If you are struggling with seeing abundance in your life, I am here to help you.

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.

“Concerning abundance, one of the most effective ways to increase that pulling power from intention to you is to take the focus off dollars and place it on creating abundant friendship, security, happiness, health, and high energy.” ~ Dr. Wayne Dyer

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