Happy Money

I saw a comic recently that said something to the effect of, “Going to work is so embarrassing. It’s like broadcasting to everyone that you need money.” I laughed because it’s funny but it’s also true! There can be so much shame around money that people may spend their entire lives battling their relationship with it. I recently finished the book “Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money” by Ken Honda and a few of the lessons were so impactful, I knew I had to share them.

The concept of the book is simple: money — like everything else — has an energy associated with it. But when it’s your money, you are the one who decides what that energy is. Money that is happily spent has a good energy and will help it come back to you in time. Money that has bad energy will never want to return to you. 

For example, when you pay your rent or mortgage, you can think, “There goes my hard earned cash into my landlord’s/bank’s pocket.” OR you can think, “I’m so happy and thankful that I have this money to pay for a safe space to live.” One clearly has more positive vibes than the other. 

Another concept I thought was particularly interesting is to get excited when we receive money. Whether it was earned, given, or otherwise obtained, get excited like you would if it was a present someone gave you. It’s GOOD to be happy and excited about money! You don’t have to be ashamed or feel bad about it. 

This book is short yet RICH with content about how to reframe your entire outlook on money. I highly recommend picking it up. 

But back to how to apply this and be 1% better today: chances are that you have at least one expense today you would rather not deal with. Getting gas, buying eggs, paying your credit card, or even rent. As you make that transaction, stop for a second and get happy. Feel happiness that you are able to pay for that transaction. Even if paying that bill is a stretch right now, cultivating a grateful attitude around money will help it boomerang back to you. Since everything has energy, imbue that transaction with good energy, and you will become a magnet for good energy to return.

With gratitude, 

Natalie