Let’s explore our attachment to things a little more in-depth. We can’t take things with us, so why do we value them so much?
I really believe it relates back to this whole sense of self-worth deep down. The more we have the better we feel about ourselves. We strive for more and finally feel like we have enough, and more interestingly then feel like we ARE ENOUGH, once we achieve it. Well for a bit at least. Then it all becomes not good enough again, and we start over. Striving, yearning and wanting more.
I can tell you in the area I live in it can be hard to not get caught-up in this. Whether it’s a house remodel, new bedroom furniture or redoing the backyard. It’s endless. The list of what to do with our money is non-stop. This inherit human nature kicks in, super deep down, that I’ll be good enough again when I achieve x, y, and z.
Until it’s not again.
It’s a dangerous trap.
This I know for sure – that it’s familiar for all of us. We’re just not all conscious of it.
We become increasingly attached to our things and possessions, instead of what really makes us happy. It creates competition, disconnect and feelings of lack.
I remember when I hired my first coach years ago, and was making a ton of changes in my life. One exercise was purging. I remember being away in the Azores on a family trip thinking about all of the platters we had in our kitchen and why. I had somehow got caught-up in the thinking that I needed a multitude of platters for every occasion. This was in my make-everything-from-scratch-let’s-try-to-be-perfect-dinner-party-phase.
During our trip I said to my husband, we’re getting rid of all of the platters. He kind of shrugged and laughed. Thank goodness he’s so laid back and rolls with whatever phase I’m into! So we came back, did a big purge, and kept only the most functional platters.
This is a small example, but significant.
This stuff creeps in. We need to be really aware of our intentions. Why are we buying what we do? Why are we so attached to these things?
When we’re attached, it means we’re afraid. It puts us in a place of fear instead of trust. Our safety is threatened and we try to control to become safe. This shows up in our thoughts, actions and behaviours. In our things, our relationships and business. It seeps in.
So let’s look at what we’re attached to the most and why that is. Shine a light on it. Fear can’t exists in the light. What is it protecting us from or having us avoid dealing with? Let’s then look at how we’re actually safe, and how our things have nothing to do with it.
From there, let’s release old habits and thoughts, and be very intentional with what we spend our time and money on. Let’s make heart-based decisions coming from joy and love, instead of lack and fear.
Please check-out Lynne Twist’s book, “The Soul of Money” if you haven’t already.
Much Love xo
Written by Success Speaker & Coach Chris Atley, CEO of Chris Atley LLC ~ Decisions by Design. For complimentary success tips for business and life, please visit www.chrisatley.com.
Daniel Monteiro
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