The great motivational speakers will tell you that to accomplish goals in life you have to have a “why,” a reason that motivates you, that keeps you going when things get tough, that reminds you of what is important to you. Your “why” needs to be specific, detailed, and something you can visualize.
Since the day I became a mom, my “why” has been my children. They were the motivation to quit my job. They were the reason I budgeted my time and money, the reason I read parenting books, motivational books, educational books, nutritional books, self-help books, and spiritual books. They were the reason I volunteered and reached out beyond myself, the reason I took chances and overcame fears. And when life took turns and led me down dark corridors, they were the “why” that gave me the strength to turn myself around and walk back into the light.
Over the years my “why” has changed but the basis of it remains the same, to be the best ME that I can be as an example to my children of what a life of joy and love looks like.
There are several things that need to happen in order for me to live the example I aim to set. Foremost, I must have financial freedom. Most of my life I’ve depended on someone else to provide for me. I never learned to manage my finances in a manner that would sustain me through tough times. Money that was given to me quickly dwindled away. Poor management coupled with a failing economy left me in a very scary place. Anxiety entered my life and joy was pushed aside. In an effort to recover, I went to work. I worked long and I worked hard surrounded by smart people who were doing the same. After months and months, I felt like my efforts were paying off. A few commission checks started coming in. I began to put a little money away. I felt like I had made it through and would now begin to experience life on the other side of struggle.
But what I learned was that one simple bump in my path could set me back to square one. I was just one illness, one cancelled transaction, or one major home repair away from where I had begun. I was at the whim of my clients to buy or sell. It didn’t really matter how good I was at my job. If they changed their minds, I didn’t get paid. My financial situation was feast or famine and my life was one long roller coaster ride. For a while I thought it was just me, another example of my poor financial skills, but then I realized that most of the smart, skilled, ambitious people working around me were living the same way. All of us had more days at the end of our months than we had money in our accounts.
I’m changing that for myself. I’m embracing ‘the opportunity of a lifetime within the lifetime of the opportunity.’ I’m creating a future of certainty and security that will provide a foundation for me to live a life of joy. I’m taking what I learned in all of those books on education, nutrition, self-help, and spirituality and using that knowledge to help other people create the life they dream of living. I’m working side by side with my children and watching them as they mature into leadership roles, teaching me as they go.
One year from now, my path will be smooth, no more roller coasters to ride. The residual income I will earn from the efforts I put forth today will provide me with financial freedom to live the life I imagine.
The Universe provides exactly what we need at the precise time that we are ready to receive it. I’m constantly amazed by that fact and grateful for it. ❤
Being Mindfully Me 