It’s hard to be an American & read this. ⁣

⁣Our culture is built on capitalism & we’re proud of it. I’m privileged & don’t have to worry about money so it’s easier for me to be cynical about it. ⁣

⁣Growing up, my stepdad said, “Money doesn’t matter, until you don’t have any.”⁣

⁣Money causes & solves so many problems. ⁣

⁣The Soul if Money by Lynne Twist lays out 3 myths of money:⁣

⁣1) There’s never enough. ⁣

2) More is better. ⁣

3) That’s just the way it is. ⁣

⁣

She wrote a whole book- it’s amazing, read it- about this idea of scarcity, of never having enough. It applies not just to money but the way we view ourselves. Money makes people feel better about themselves but it’s never enough UNLESS you recognize that what gives you value, meaning, purpose & fulfillment are not monetize-able. Many of us struggle with not BEING enough & that’s the limiting belief I’m always striving to help others dispel about themselves through my work as a personal development coach. ⁣

⁣But not everyone has the option to “step out of that game & take care of yourself.” The widening gap between the haves & have nots in this country is worsening daily. These inequities have nothing to do with who is working harder. The CEO isn’t working harder than the single parent with 3 jobs. The CEO isn’t working better. The CEO isn’t more valuable, noble or worthy of wealth or privilege either. ⁣

⁣This quote is about self-care, permission to feel, & permission to be you- my whole platform. But daily, I have to pretend that this is possible for everyone. I see the world from a position of status. I can choose to work little, make less money & still be ok. Others without my privileges don’t have that luxury. So many in our country don’t have permission to feel their feelings or contemplate who they are, what they value, what fills them up. They’re literally working hand to mouth, trying to survive. I grew up thinking that those in such circumstances lived far away, in Ethiopia, on the TV commercials that aired in the 70s. But in 2020, those same conditions exist right down the road from you & me. ⁣

Power & capitalism erode compassion. Stay aware of this. Self-care is an honor & a privilege.