Personal Growth

Loose Change Didn’t Get Us To Switzerland

August 16, 2012

When Michael and I got married, our dream was to honeymoon in Switzerland.

We didn’t have much money, so we decided to save all of our change in Mason jars till the wedding and “Hopefully” we thought, “It will be enough to buy us plane tickets to Switzerland.”

photo by thecouponproject

We didn’t work hard or plan, we just dropped the change from our pockets into jars at the end of each day.

As we drove to Maine for our honeymoon some months later, I remember looking at Michael and laughing at our lofty but poorly thoughtout dream. For some reason, I just “hoped” the money in those jars would just multiply like the loaves and fishes.

In those days, I had the mindset that I didn’t have any money and probably would never have very much either. The people that did have money, in my opinion, should have shared their money with me, because I obviously needed it more than them.

I guess you could call it the “Robin Hood” mentality.

I recently heard a quote and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since. “Whatever you think about increases.” “Surely,” I thought “That doesn’t include money or lack thereof.”

How about this one. “Money comes easily and frequently.” “What? Now someone is just messing with my head,” I thought.

And then I stopped and thought, “What if it is true?” “What if my attitude towards money and wealth (take it a step farther, even happiness or unity in my marriage) is a result of me constantly focusing on what I feel is lacking. Not what I already have?”

Am I bringing about less of everything because I am focusing on exactly that?

I decided to experiment. I should say, we decided to experiment. We decided to change how we viewed money. We decided to draw a line in the sand and work at thinking differently about money from that moment on.

The next week, some things happened that will be imprinted in my mind forever.

Strange things kept happening. We found money here and there and everywhere. Unexpected checks arrived in the mail and lots of new calls for lessons for our business to name a few. Money kept appearing to the point that we would just look at each other and shake our heads. We were astounded.

Coincidence? I don’t think so. In fact, I know it wasn’t, it was too obvious.

I always knew the Bible says not to worry about money, but I didn’t know how not to. After all, the stuff comes in pretty handy!

What I didn’t realize was that by worrying, I was actually constantly focusing what I didn’t want to be focused on, money! I focused on how I never had any. The lack of money was my focus, what I did not have. And what I did not have, oddly, increased.

I have since changed how I think about and pursue money. It no longer dangles on the end of a stick like a carrot staying just outside of my reach. I no longer feel that other people need to give me their money. And, I no longer buy lottery tickets in hopes that I will just “get lucky” and win a million dollars one day.

In fact, I think being given money in that way would make me sick.

I now take pride in working hard. I take pride in doing something with excellence and helping others. Somehow, the money comes now and I’m not obsessed with it anymore. I realize how easily it comes and goes and comes again.

In the future my trips to Switzerland will not be dependent on whether my change jar magically increases in worth.

Question: What is your take on money coming easily and frequently?

 

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  • Joe Lalonde August 16, 2012 at 6:30 am

    Awesome story Claudia. It’s an encouragement to those that are struggling with money.

    I don’t think I’ve ever come across money but we have been blessed that there has never been a complete lack of it in our marriage. Early on, like 7 months into our marriage, I lost my job. I floundered trying to figure out what to do and how to do it. Nothing really took for a couple of years.

    Yet through all that time we never truly lacked. House payments were made, food was on the table, and we were able to do little things for enjoyment. 

    • Claudia Good August 16, 2012 at 9:15 pm

      Hey thanks Joe! I hope so!
      That is cool to hear a little piece of your story 🙂 That must have been quite a time for you guys… adjusting to being married and then loosing your job! Two big changes back to back! Did you start doing what you do now after that time?

      • Joe Lalonde August 19, 2012 at 8:27 pm

        It was. Lots of frustrations and learning experiences for sure. Not something I’d really wish on anyone else.

        To answer your question… After I found out I was losing my job in retail sales, I tried to transition into the computer repair field by myself. That’s where I floundered. Eventually I got picked up by a company and have been there ever since.

        • Claudia Good August 22, 2012 at 11:20 pm

          Wow,
          So even though it was super tough what you ventured into led you to where you are now! That’s cool. Thanks for sharing Joe! You have a great story that I am sure lot’s of people find encouragement from… ups and downs and ups… and where you have ended up 😉

  • Ann Musico August 16, 2012 at 8:30 am

    Claudia how amazing God is – I just read Michael Wright’s post and it spoke to me – and yours is screaming loud and clear!  How right you are and at this very moment I needed that reminder!  Yes, yes, yes!  What we focus on we draw to ourselves – that’s exactly what happened to Job!  He even said what he feared (and constantly thought about and focused on) happened to him.  If I constantly focus on a lack – of anything – it’s what I’m drawing to myself!  I knew that Claudia – really I did!  I just needed your reminder to refocus my focus!!  Thanks.

    • Claudia Good August 16, 2012 at 9:22 pm

      Ann,
      Oh awesome! I am going to go read Michael’s right now! http://www.fatherofone.com/bringing-home-the-bacon/ 
      Loved it! 🙂

      You are so welcome Ann! And now I am going to go read about Job again b/c that was a great reminder! 😉

  • Michael Wright August 16, 2012 at 5:08 pm

    Claudia, it always seems to ebb and flow for me as well.  I always have it when I need it.  I did a similar “experiment” earlier this year.  I heard we were getting some bonuses at work for the previous year, but had no idea how much it would be – I was thinking about $500 or so, which is typical.  I was reading the book “The Secret Code of Success” at the same time.  I went for broke and asked myself several times over the week “Why am I getting a $5,000 bonus?”.   I really didn’t think it would happen…but when the day came – the gross amount was that plus $3.  I should have asked “Why am I getting a $5k bonus AFTER taxes!!!”.

    • Claudia Good August 16, 2012 at 9:26 pm

      OH MY WORD!!! Amazing Michael!! Thanks for sharing that! What a cool story! Haha!  

    • Rob Clinton August 17, 2012 at 12:25 am

      Wow, Micheal… That… is really cool!

    • Michael Good August 23, 2012 at 3:37 pm

      Great story, Michael. Makes me think of all the other possibilities!

  • Rob Clinton August 17, 2012 at 12:28 am

    Absolutely, I used to think lack, but I’m definitely an abundance thinker… It’s frequent and plenty, and I’m not afraid to believe and know it is, because it is… All the worried I’ve ever done has been over nothing… Money, resources, anything I needed to move through my days has always been there and always will be… This is a very resourceful world, and I’m swimming in it 🙂

    • Claudia Good August 22, 2012 at 11:17 pm

      Love it Rob! What’s great is I totally see this being played out in your life. You are livin the words brother!