My Money Story
I tried them on, they were beautiful! It was time for a meeting with some of my board members. To buy or not to buy? That was the question.
Fun was the first to speak; “Go for it Sis! As long as it makes you happy!’ She said laughing. Frugal snapped with disapproval; “Summayyah! ‘Ye shoju kokoro! (‘Stop being greedy!’ – in my Yoruba language) You don’t need new shoes! Or just get a second-hand one from the Recycle shop!” She finished, clearly annoyed with me. Functional stated in her usual matter-of-fact way; “They’re beautiful and in your size; you don’t often find shoes in your size, great quality, looks durable, is on sale for a quarter of its original price, and you have the money.” Faith looked straight into my eyes. “You have been here before, many times. “What will it be this time?”
I heard Faith’s voice. I knew the ‘here’. I know where she’s talking about, it is the space between decisions and deeds. It is here I find myself with the choice between my wants and needs. It is here impulse often won over insight, and now where insight are overpowering my impulses more. It is here many goals were often postponed and gratification prioritised, where now, delay of gratification is in itself gratifying and more reason to give gratitude.
I knew what Faith was asking of me and why. The shoes are a metaphor for my choices and they rested on much more than money. They reach each dimension of my selves; physical, psychological, social and spiritual. They revolve around past choices I have taken and what the consequences of those choices have taken from me. They represent past choices and present ones as catalysts for different, better ones. They challenge me to birth inspired, empowered versions of me, creatively build from, with qualities I’m endowed with, resources I’ve acquired. They call me to constantly and purposefully reform and refine my many selves to become some of my most meaningful, authentic form.
Many ‘F’ words facilitate the talks I have with myself over money and indeed on other significant life issues. Over time, I am learning to decide who, what to listen more to with consciousness and careful consideration. So, why is Faith the voice I strive to hear above the clamouring of the other Fs? Because Faith for me is the light house that leads me to safety from the danger of debts and dubious dealings. My faith pulls me back from the edge of making foolish financial decisions and helps me back to my feet when I fall flat on my face because of them. Faith is a force against my lower self that pushes me to spend what I don’t have, for things I don’t need, leaving me with a lot with little value. Faith fuels me to strive for my highest, to seek abundance in wealth and wisdom and to my fullest and best.
This article has been published on the Herconomics Website;
