To pick up where I last left off, and in response to Coach’s Comments, the verdict on my “natural planning abilities” - at least as far as finances are concerned is a clear, unequivocal NO!. Generally I’m not a planner of most things in life, I’m definitely a more spontaneous, go-with-the-flow type, who’s learned through some difficult experiences the advantages to planning - despite my distaste for it. This is, at least in part I think, what stresses me out when my hard-won planning goes astray. Not a natural at the exercise I find myself struggling to shift gears quickly. In certain ways I’m remarkably adaptable and able to go with the flow. In others I definitely feel “below average” when I surmise how the rest of the world does it.

I’ve been contemplating what leads me to feel this way when the gear shift needs to happen and I’m tripping over myself to find my feet. I’ve come to the conclusion that where money is concerned, it’s about attachment. Attachment to a positive result, to the outcome I expected and planned for…attachment to money I don’t have to throw away on things I can’t afford!

As someone who mostly lives paycheque to paycheque, when carefully laid plans go awry, I worry that I won’t be able to recover without loads of extra expense or that the new solution will not be workable. With little financial cushion on which to rely, that’s a stress I can live without. I know if I had liquidity/plenty of money in the bank I wouldn’t have to worry where next month’s rent will come from or how I will eat, then if something went wrong - oh well, not ideal but it won’t break me. Living too close to that edge and feeling that there’s not safety net creates a scarcity mentality. Which certainly does nothing to further abundance.

I have at least one prime example in my life, a mentor of sorts, from whom I have gained infinite amounts of wisdom by simply observing the way he lives his life. He lives simply in a style that works well for him and has little attachment to money, among other things. From him I have learned this invaluable lesson: My purpose in life is to put forth my Self, my best effort with what I have available in any given situation - and then let go of attachment to the result. In so doing I know I have given my best and the chips will fall where they may. I may not always like the outcome, but who is successful 100% of the time?! We don’t always get what we want in life despite our best efforts.

So I am learning to make my efforts at financial planning and financial management and am developing strategies to let go of my attachment to the results. In this way I can see the outcomes more objectively, without taking every little thing personally. Jeez, if I keep this up, I might even get wise in my old age!