By Toni Niemiec
Morality of Money.
What an interesting title, it is as though money is its own entity (and a powerful one at that) when in truth money is simply a form of exchange. It is what we do with it, how we hold it that has the power.
Certainly how we spend our money reflects our morals and how they may, or may not guide our life.
I remember when Walmart (and other “big box” stores) came on the scene, people flocked to the opportunity to expand their wardrobe, linen closet, toy bin, etc. For the cost of a pair of pants at one store I could purchase two pair. It was about how much and accumulation for many. For others it was an opportunity to have what they hadn’t been able to afford in the past.
Stephen Covey in his book, “7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” suggested that we notice how and where we spend our time and money. Does it reflect what we espouse to value? In doing this we may discover that we are aligned on the outside (spending) with our internal values/morals…or not. Lynne Twist (“Soul of Money”) invites us to look deeply at our beliefs and fears around scarcity so we may move into a place of sufficiency and freedom.
Having money, and things that are accumulated through spending, is not in and of itself wrong or right. It is the underlying reasons that are aligned (or not) with our morals that cause suffering to ourselves and others. Are we accumulating to the point of hoarding out of fear that there will not be enough tomorrow or that we are not enough in and of ourselves? Are we choosing to buy local, share our treasures with humanity, or invest responsibly out of fear or faith? Is there ever enough?
Beginning the inquiry is a personal decision as are the discoveries and their interpretation. Releasing money as an entity that has power and stepping into the power of choice around money is freedom.
Join SpokaneFAVS for a Coffee Talk on “The Morality of Money” on Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. at Indaba Coffee/The Book Parlor, 1425 W. Broadway Ave.
