You do not want someone to come to your financial rescue if I read you right because you do not want to owe anyone in return. You value your independence from materialism and that can be costly. I know there are those who believe there are ways to manifest an abundant mind-set which in turn produces more real money even without knowing ahead of time where it may originate.
My take is to start with a question of How much is enough? What amount would it take to sustain you with a level of comfort and convenience which would be acceptable and provide you with contentment and a measure of security and satisfaction? Then perhaps focus on ways to produce that which are in concert with your philosophy and practice. I admire your zen calm stance and since you are a good writer, perhaps that's an avenue to consider. A book? Magazine articles that pay?
I'll share a story from when I was about 10. My Dad was in the wholesale grocery business. It was 1947, right after WWII. He wanted to teach me something about sales, profit, and earning money. He brought home a case, which I think was either 12 or 24 small cans of Renuzit spot remover. He helped me work on a pitch and then sent me out into the neighborhood to knock on doors and try to sell a can for a reasonable profit. I don't remember checking stores to see what the going price was nor do I remember how much I charged. What I took away was that it was hard work, I did not want to pursue a career in sales or in retail merchandising, and I didn't think I earned enough to make it a worthwhile endeavor to continue. Then, later on, when I needed more money to support myself and a growing family, I took all kinds of odd jobs, part-time to make some extra to sustain us, especially when I was a poor graduate student with 3 little kids. For what it's worth, that's a small part of my story. I worked on farms, drove busses and trucks and bought and sold antiques. None of those were career related. There's much more and many details over many years.
I like your phrase "a curious teacher" as we always have more to learn. I'm an old teacher who sees learning as the best way forward. Explore and discover!
You captured my financial reality for the last few years as well! Within this situation, so many lessons have emerged around money and I’m practicing accepting while being open to opportunities that may bring change…without striving. What a dance! 💃🏻 thank you for sharing your story…it helped me to feel less alone. A deep bow and a lotus for you 🙏🪷
Yes, Deanna, it can be a tough reality but one filled with so many lessons. I appreciate your willingness to share. And like you, hearing the stories of others makes me feel less alone.
Reading this in September because you shared it on Notes.
I am reminded of a character I once knew in New Mexico. I was on a self-retreat from an overwhelming divorce back home, staying at the hostel in Arroyo Seco, NM for a few months. There was this guy who would sit out on the patio of the local coffee shop. His name was Joseph. He would just sit there with a slight smile on his face for hours. I got to talking to him. This was his stance: he believed that the money he needed to pay his rent and buy food would come to him as he needed it. Occasionally someone would ask him to do an odd job. He would never name his price, instead taking whatever they chose to give. His needs were obviously few, and I often wonder if he was escaping from some other life. And I wonder today what ever became of him. I don't emulate his passive stance on income production, but the idea of trusting the universe to provide always stayed with me. I think I admired his apparent fearlessness.
You do not want someone to come to your financial rescue if I read you right because you do not want to owe anyone in return. You value your independence from materialism and that can be costly. I know there are those who believe there are ways to manifest an abundant mind-set which in turn produces more real money even without knowing ahead of time where it may originate.
My take is to start with a question of How much is enough? What amount would it take to sustain you with a level of comfort and convenience which would be acceptable and provide you with contentment and a measure of security and satisfaction? Then perhaps focus on ways to produce that which are in concert with your philosophy and practice. I admire your zen calm stance and since you are a good writer, perhaps that's an avenue to consider. A book? Magazine articles that pay?
I'll share a story from when I was about 10. My Dad was in the wholesale grocery business. It was 1947, right after WWII. He wanted to teach me something about sales, profit, and earning money. He brought home a case, which I think was either 12 or 24 small cans of Renuzit spot remover. He helped me work on a pitch and then sent me out into the neighborhood to knock on doors and try to sell a can for a reasonable profit. I don't remember checking stores to see what the going price was nor do I remember how much I charged. What I took away was that it was hard work, I did not want to pursue a career in sales or in retail merchandising, and I didn't think I earned enough to make it a worthwhile endeavor to continue. Then, later on, when I needed more money to support myself and a growing family, I took all kinds of odd jobs, part-time to make some extra to sustain us, especially when I was a poor graduate student with 3 little kids. For what it's worth, that's a small part of my story. I worked on farms, drove busses and trucks and bought and sold antiques. None of those were career related. There's much more and many details over many years.
Thank Gary. This was very instructive. Lots to reflect on here. I’ll circle back to you.
I like your phrase "a curious teacher" as we always have more to learn. I'm an old teacher who sees learning as the best way forward. Explore and discover!
You captured my financial reality for the last few years as well! Within this situation, so many lessons have emerged around money and I’m practicing accepting while being open to opportunities that may bring change…without striving. What a dance! 💃🏻 thank you for sharing your story…it helped me to feel less alone. A deep bow and a lotus for you 🙏🪷
Yes, Deanna, it can be a tough reality but one filled with so many lessons. I appreciate your willingness to share. And like you, hearing the stories of others makes me feel less alone.
Reading this in September because you shared it on Notes.
I am reminded of a character I once knew in New Mexico. I was on a self-retreat from an overwhelming divorce back home, staying at the hostel in Arroyo Seco, NM for a few months. There was this guy who would sit out on the patio of the local coffee shop. His name was Joseph. He would just sit there with a slight smile on his face for hours. I got to talking to him. This was his stance: he believed that the money he needed to pay his rent and buy food would come to him as he needed it. Occasionally someone would ask him to do an odd job. He would never name his price, instead taking whatever they chose to give. His needs were obviously few, and I often wonder if he was escaping from some other life. And I wonder today what ever became of him. I don't emulate his passive stance on income production, but the idea of trusting the universe to provide always stayed with me. I think I admired his apparent fearlessness.
Just sharing for no good reason. 🙂
A reminder to be mindful, to embrace gratitude, and to flow with life's currents.
Yes indeed. That’s “The Way.”