Overcoming The Fear of Money
Many people, it seems, have a fear of money. Does the thought of
having a lot of money make you uncomfortable? Cause you anxiety?
If so, it may be that you are buying into the myths about money.
Myths that are simply untrue. In fact, many of the most common
statements about money are often misquoted, wrong, or were made
by people who did not understand money ... or had none.
Let's look at a few of the myths about money ...
"Money is the root of all evil" Everybody has heard this one.
Unfortunately, it's one of the most famous misquotes of all
time. The original quote comes from the New Testament and the
correct quote is "the LOVE of money is the root of all evil".
The love of money is an obsession and thus the true quote warns
of the potential corruption that can derive from a love of, or
obsession with, money (or any unhealthy preoccupation).. The
fact is that money itself is neither good nor evil. It is
neutral. Money can be used for good or it can be used for bad.
How it is used is a choice, and the choice of how to use money
is in the hands of he (or she) who controls it.
"Money is Power" (and Power corrupts) Money itself has no real
power. For instance, if you were legally given 10 million
after-tax dollars in cash, put it in a safe deposit box, never
touched it and never told anyone you had it you would have no
more power than you do right now. The power of money comes from
the use (or misuse) of it or the perceived benefit or threat by
others. The money itself does not generate any power; it has to
be converted into power. And whether or not you wish to convert
money into power is a choice. And if one decides to convert
money into power that power may be used for good or for evil,
depending on the character of the person with the money.
"Money will change your life" Let's hope so! Used wisely, money
can greatly ease many of life's burdens and greatly enhance
one's life. Or, if you have a weak character, choose to live in
fear and worry, you can let money make you miserable. It's not
the money, it's YOU. The important thing to realize is that you
get to control the money, it doesn't get to control you. Want
proof? Here's how much actual control you have over your money -
in the extreme, you can always give all the money away - and be
rid of it. Just like that. You can give it all to charity, you
can throw it out the window, you can walk down the street and
hand it out. You can burn it all. It's yours and you can do
whatever you want with it, including give it away. Gone. You can
make it all disappear if you choose to do so. That may be a
stupid choice but that choice is always yours. That's the
ultimate power you have over your money and it rests in your
hands. Money doesn't ruin or change your life or change you or
take control over your life. Unless you let it. And since you
have the ultimate power to get rid of it why would you let it
ruin your life?
"Money can't buy you happiness" This is true - if you are not
happy to begin with. However, if you reasonably well-grounded,
have a good value system and a little control over yourself
money won