David,
What a great exercise–to take all the changes and the successes for the last 5 weeks and record them in one place. This program has not only been a turning point in my financial life, it’s been a catalyst for healing in other areas in my life.
Ten years ago I buried myself in my job to get over a broken heart and when I came back to the surface, I’d left more than a heartache behind. I’d quit living. I’ve gone from a $35k a year job to $100k a year in 7 years–but I have no life. As I went through the homework, the reading and the created my values circle, it became so apparent to me that I was spending money in a vain attempt to fill in the empty places in my life. I grew up with hand-me downs, so having nice things is important to me. But every time I was bored, or lonely, or feeling bad about my life I went shopping.
Now my money is out of my reach–or at least where I have to go past my values circle to get to it. (There’s a copy in my wallet and my checkbook). I went through my home over the last 2 weeks and piled up all the stuff I’d collected that I don’t use or love and I gave it all away. Instead of missing it, I feel relieved. The success I’ve gained in this program has given my the courage to face the other areas of my life that are out of control–and get them headed back in the right direction.
Thank you for your balanced approach–for talking about living richly, the value of relationships, living according to your values and dusting off your dreams. I know that when I sit down on my 6-month anniversary of this program to review my financial situation, I’ll have more changes in my life to talk about.
“For all of us, the miracle isn’t that we finish, the miracle is that we have the courage to start”-John Bingham, author.
God Bless,
