Keep it flowing. That’s what Lynne Twist says in her book The Soul of Money. Money is one of the most useful ways of enacting our values, of expressing and taking steps to enact our vision of a better future. Fear shuts us down; fear stops the flow. Economically, things are tough right now, and they will likely get tougher. This is all the more reason to invest in each other, to invest in our communities, to work together. We have to ask ourselves, do we want to live in fear, or do we want to work for hope?
Keep it flowing. We do not just exchange paper when we buy something, be it with cash or check or charge. We exchange ideals, we pass on hope or fear. It is all in what we buy and who we give our money to. Some of us are struggling just to pay the bills, to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads. But even we find ourselves with a little extra change, a couple of loose dollars here and there. When I was a kid, my mom used to save up her pennies and dimes and then take us out to Big Al’s for ice cream. We didn’t have much, but we kept what we had flowing.
Some of us are not struggling—we have enough to take care of ourselves and our families and then some. Even so, it is hard not to buy into the fear, hard not to clench down on what we do have, trying to keep ourselves safe. A closed fist feels safer, less exposed, than an open hand. But a closed fist also cuts us off from each other. An open hand allows us to unite, and united we are stronger. I am not saying don’t save. I am saying we should not save out of fear, but out of hope for the future. Keep it flowing.
We have a beautiful opportunity right now to grow a healthier, stronger nation. We have an opportunity to refuse to live out of fear, and instead to choose to live in hope. We have an opportunity to help ourselves by helping others, and in the process to grow stronger, more resilient and more vibrant communities. Shop locally—support those people in your community who run small shops, restaurants, co-ops. Hire locally—if you have some extra, hire someone to organize your garage, clean your house, weed your yard. Donate locally—small local nonprofits are the most vulnerable during economic downturns, and yet they hire your neighbors, help your community, and make a direct difference in the place where you live.
President Franklin D Roosevelt said, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” This is our challenge: to give into fear, or to open up to hope. That choice is enacted, in large part, through how we spend our money.
Keep it flowing. We do not just exchange paper when we buy something, be it with cash or check or charge. We exchange ideals, we pass on hope or fear. It is all in what we buy and who we give our money to. Some of us are struggling just to pay the bills, to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads. But even we find ourselves with a little extra change, a couple of loose dollars here and there. When I was a kid, my mom used to save up her pennies and dimes and then take us out to Big Al’s for ice cream. We didn’t have much, but we kept what we had flowing.
Some of us are not struggling—we have enough to take care of ourselves and our families and then some. Even so, it is hard not to buy into the fear, hard not to clench down on what we do have, trying to keep ourselves safe. A closed fist feels safer, less exposed, than an open hand. But a closed fist also cuts us off from each other. An open hand allows us to unite, and united we are stronger. I am not saying don’t save. I am saying we should not save out of fear, but out of hope for the future. Keep it flowing.
We have a beautiful opportunity right now to grow a healthier, stronger nation. We have an opportunity to refuse to live out of fear, and instead to choose to live in hope. We have an opportunity to help ourselves by helping others, and in the process to grow stronger, more resilient and more vibrant communities. Shop locally—support those people in your community who run small shops, restaurants, co-ops. Hire locally—if you have some extra, hire someone to organize your garage, clean your house, weed your yard. Donate locally—small local nonprofits are the most vulnerable during economic downturns, and yet they hire your neighbors, help your community, and make a direct difference in the place where you live.
President Franklin D Roosevelt said, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” This is our challenge: to give into fear, or to open up to hope. That choice is enacted, in large part, through how we spend our money.
2 comments:
Oh Nikki, this is just what I needed to read this morning. I have been invited to participate in a work group to explore municipal sustainability for Hartland and I have been feeling skeptical-what power do I have to make change? Who will want to consider being green when budgets are tight? blah blah blah. Of course the opposite is true! I am also reflecting how much more creative I used to be when I wasn't working-I actively sought out fun free stuff to do. I am busier now with a bit more cash so it is easier to just spend the money. It was more fun the other way! I have also been thinking about the local buying. I do a lot of this already, but I have been trying to be very aware that every dollar I spend goes toward someone elses family budget and possibly helps to keep them in business. I am going to recontact those family farmers and go back to buying local meat and sign up for a CSA for the summer. I will keep the image of flow in my mind today. Thanks.
Nikki - I ditto Kristin's reaction to your post! Good job!
I just finished my P&J sandwich (local bakery bread, farmer's market jelly) with locally bought cranberry applesauce. Yummy and almost all local.
While the country is in despair we can keep our attitudes hopeful. Now I am remembering all those stories about Great Depression pinching pennies that my parents told me and trying to figure out my own ways to make money last longer.
We can do it!
(keep posting, Nikki)
Post a Comment