A New Way to Honor Myself

This is Black Friday. While many of you have been shopping since early morning, I am doing something completely different this year. I am sitting in the comfort of my home, barely out of my pajamas, enjoying a relaxing cup of tea and writing my thoughts.

Because I am co-facilitating the Financial Peace University course with Rev. Pattie, I decided to truly set and stay on a budget this holiday season.  To help me do that, I have asked my friends, our board members and staff not to give me gifts this year because I often feel pressured internally to buy and have often over-spent and I invariably feel guilty if I have not had an equal exchange of energy. (I am quite aware, that this is co-dependence at its finest, and a more spiritually mature person would simply receive with grace without batting an eye.) I asked each one to help me stay on my budget by not giving me a gift!

However, I know myself and that is always the beginning of spiritual growth -- to honestly tell yourself the truth. 

While I was asking the board members not to give me anything, a brilliant idea came to mind. In lieu of giving gifts to friends, family, board and staff, I would set a certain amount and give it to a couple of worthy causes such as South County Outreach and Heifer International, which is a non-profit dedicated to ending hunger and poverty through sustainable means. South County Outreach is asking for items of clothing like socks and underwear.

I love both of these organizations. Heifer International because it is based on helping people learn how to be more self-sufficient by learning how to look after the chickens, goats or water buffalo that they have received so they can live more independently. South County outreach because I will be making  a difference right here in Orange County.

The Board of Trustees thought this was a great idea so they are joining me in this project. I will collect money for Heifer International until the end of December then however much we have collected, I will share it with Heifer International for them to use it where it is needed the most.

For South County outreach, I will collect until December 14, then go and purchase the clothing that is most needed.

I feel greatly inspired. I will stick to my budget. I will feel great about the money I am spending because it will be going to great causes. I have not moved from my computer! Easiest holiday gift-buying ever!

I am going to open it up to members of our congregation who would love to help too. It is a way to honor myself AND make a difference in the world. Be the one who makes a difference!

Black Friday or National Listening Day

One of our members called me on Thanksgiving to let me know that Black Friday is designated as National Listening Day. I don't know if there is an obvious connection but clearly the connection with inner Wisdom is unmistakable! We are being called to live an awakened life right now. Today!  Not in the future but today. What that means is that we trust that we live in abundant universe where no one and nothing can get what belongs to me in consciousness. Furthermore it means to listen to that inner Wisdom and spend what is in your budget and not a penny more.

In my past life, I wanted to please those I loved so much that I would often spend more than what I could afford to please them. I no longer do that. I know that the gifts that I give from the heart, no matter what their cost or form, are more than sufficient. It is difficult for anyone to set a budget with boundaries yet may be the very best thing to do.

I once knew a woman who was very good with her money although she did not earn a top salary. On payday she would cash her check, pay her rent and then put the rest of her money in baggies for the various other things she might buy in a month such as entertainment, gas, groceries and savings. She grew her savings intentionally.

I know another wise couple who have been practicing the 80-10-10 rule for years. They live on 80% of their income; they tithe 10% and they save 10%. I admire them so much for having this discipline.

Lately I have been listening to my inner wisdom regarding finances and looking after myself with love. For many years I thought that meant to buy whatever my whims guided me to. Now I see it differently. I see that self love is also about looking after your future self, too.

I did not participate in Black Friday shopping this year. I think the economy is fine without my dollars. I will be doing a lot of my Christmas shopping at the Holiday Boutique on Sunday afternoon. Living in the present moment includes bringing all your wisdom with you in every moment.

How do you look after yourself?