When I worked as a fundraiser, I learned to ask people what value they want to bring into the world through their giving. For instance, donors to a group that strives to end bullying in school, want to bring more kindness into the world. Donors to a hospital want to foster health and healing. You get the idea. (For more on this, read Lynne Twist’s insightful book The Soul of Money.)

I’d like to ask you the same question about your wealth (the wealth you have now or plan to create). What value would you like to have more of in your life? How would more wealth help you make that happen?

Do you want more adventure, more joy, more connection, more self-love or more inner peace? Do you want more self-expression, more convenience or more security?

When I think of the things that I’d like to do with more wealth, they include travel with my family; more nights out at concerts, movies, plays, and restaurants; and getting more massages and bodywork. And I’d love to delegate more of my household chores to a part-time support team.

What it all adds up to, I’ve realized, is wanting to bring greater aliveness into my life. I’ve spent too much time doing chores and not enough time doing things that make me feel fresh and renewed.

The other thing I’d like to do with more wealth is donate money to make a big difference to causes I care about. There are too many issues to list here, and each one brings a different set of values into the world. (Yes, I already give to good causes, but not yet in the amounts I’d like.)

What do you picture in your mind when you think of your life plus wealth? Where do you live? How do you spend your time? Who do you spend it with? Are you closer or less close to the people you care about? Are you stressed out about your new challenges and responsibilities? Or can you imagine having the support you need to cope well with all these life changes?

Take a minute to turn off your phone, close your eyes and vividly picture yourself in that life of your dreams. Savor it. Drink it in. Don’t hurry back.

OK.

What is the value your wealth will bring into your life? Write it down, post it where you’ll see it daily, and share it with us in the comments.

Now ask yourself: How many ways can I find to bring that value into my life now?

Extra credit: Find the book ‘Creating Money: Keys to Abundance’ by Sanaya Roman & Duane Packer and look over Chapter 2 with more insights on this topic. I’ve had this book over 20 years and still find it as wise and useful as the day I bought it.

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