Shifting Our Moneyview During a Global Pandemic
Our lives have certainly changed over the past couple of months. In a matter of days, our lives were flipped upside down. Almost all of us have experienced some type of financial loss, all while encountering the stresses of adapting to new ways of working and living. But sometimes our greatest growth and transformations occur in the most challenging times.
COVID-19 can bless us with the opportunity to reflect on and transform the way we see money and its purpose in our lives. It seems our society became focused on reaching the next achievement, getting the next payout, and improving our lifestyles. For most people, COVID-19 created a forced pause on these aspirations.
During this time, I have noticed many blessings in my own life: we have eaten dinner together as a family every night for the last two months, I have spent more time outside enjoying nature, I haven’t traveled which means less disruptions for our family, and the kids’ activities have paused which has allowed for a new level of peace. This time has given me insight into a new, more connected way of living.
Our relationship with money weaves itself throughout all areas of our lives, including the transformation that we are currently undergoing.
Many people have increased the amount they are giving despite going through financial losses. Many people have realized that connectedness and balance in relationships are more important than chasing the next promotion. Many have reflected on their spending and realized they have been putting themselves under pressure to increase their income so they could buy things that don’t necessarily serve their greater purpose and values.
Author Lynne Twist says, “Money is like water. It can be a conduit for commitment, a currency of love. Money moving in the direction of our highest commitments nourishes our world and ourselves. Know the flow—take responsibility for the way your money moves in the world. Let your soul inform your money and your money express your soul”.
May we all find a space during this time to reflect on our greatest values and aspirations and commit to finding greater alignment with the ways in which we accumulate and utilize money.
