Wealth Inside Out

Wealthy to me is the ability to live comfortably and know my family will always be taken care of, no matter what. It's the ability to give financially to those causes I feel make our world a better place. And, it's the ability to be financially independent.

On average, many women are uncomfortable discussing money and even more uncomfortable managing money. How often do you hear women say words like rich or wealthy when describing their finances or goals?

Money and self-esteem go hand-in-hand. You can have a million dollars but if you don't feel you're worth a million dollars, you're still not financially independent.

Let me ask you a question and please take a few minutes with pen and paper to answer. Even allow yourself to feel the emotions of your answer:

If you had three million dollars in the bank right now, how would your life be different?

Look carefully at what you wrote. Are there more positives in your answer or negatives? Does wealth feel like a joyous emotion or a burden? In your mind's eye, can you picture yourself with three million dollars or did it seem like a fantasy?

Let's look at one of the emotional aspects women often deal with when striving for financial independence - guilt.

Simply put, women often feel guilty for having and enjoying money. Why? Because there are people, whether we know them or not, who don't have money. Could there be old programs in the mind saying, "Don't be selfish, share with your sister."

Do you know that studies have found that on average, we'll unconsciously allow ourselves to earn only within ten to twenty per cent of what our friends and family earn? Why do you think that is? You're right. It's guilt. It's the fear that we will not be accepted if we have more money than the other important people in our lives.

Guilt and self-esteem go hand-in-hand. The more secure you are within yourself, the more you'll allow yourself to earn and enjoy wealth.

Instead of looking at wealth and money in terms of guilt, how about looking in terms of how we can be of service to others. Can you think of wealthy women role models who are making a difference with their money? How about Oprah Winfrey? Do you think Oprah feels guilty about being a billionaire?

If you had three million dollars in the bank, how would your life be different?

How could life be more comfortable?

How would you feel knowing you'd never have to worry about money?

Which causes could you support?

Isn't it time we concentrate on the positives of our power, especially our financial power? Wealth truly begins on the inside, inside your heart and mind.