Money Isn’t Anything–Peace is Free

One of the biggest fears most humans share is of economic insecurity. People drink and drug over it. They develop ulcers and other physical problems. Some become workaholics with no time for their families or the pursuit of happiness. Many have jumped out of windows or put shotguns into their mouths and pulled triggers, ending the struggle for financial stability.

When I joined Alcoholics Anonymous, I found out that this fear is most prevalent among alcoholics and addicts. One of the many promises AA makes is that fear of economic insecurity will “leave us.” I believe this is true but, in the beginning, I wondered how that was possible.

Economic insecurity was today’s meeting topic. Timely in this uncertain world with a nationally sagging economy. I work in advertising sales and I’m paid on commission. With all businesses, regardless of industry, struggling, sales have been way down. Everyone’s feeling it. Listening to people share in the meeting, I realized why the lofty promise of fearlessness in the face of having not financially is legitimate.

It’s not that we just magically stop caring whether or not we have a dime. It’s a change in our thinking and our perspective. I’ve heard alcoholism called, “the disease of more.” Certainly, it would seem it is or it wouldn’t be an addiction. But the “more” applies to everything, including material items and money. And those perceived needs sprout from other perceived needs, like ego and pride. And these shortcomings are not unique to alcoholics. I know many a teetotaler who’s driven by material consumption, competition and the almighty dollar. And the misery accompanying the drive is indiscriminate.

I realized today that, even in the face of the biggest economic dry spell I’ve seen, I’m okay. Years ago someone could have asked me, “Isn’t it enough that you have food, clothing and a roof over your head today?” And my response would have been a resounding “NO” probably preceded by a resounding word that rhymes with luck, which I never felt I had enough of either (luck, that is).

Today, I can honestly say “YES” and feel blessed beyond words that I have those three things, considered to be necessities. I’m very fortunate. You see, I always had to have more and be more. I had to be ahead of you, get it first, have it bigger, show the world (which, ironically, wasn’t paying attention to me anyway) that I was something. I was actually something else.

I couldn’t care less today what anyone else has. I’m more concerned with who doesn’t have what they need. I’ve been given a gift, one that came with a little bit of work and some real honesty, in the twelve steps. What I got is huge compared to what I gave for it. The popular AA phrase, “Keep it simple, ” plays a huge part in my freedom from financial obsession. Keeping it simple is permission to not want more than I have. I’ve figured out that I can live very happily on very little. The more we have, the more aggravation we have. Someone put it beautifully when she said that her wants had wants and that just got too confusing.

It’s so true. Look at all the gadgets we get and they need accessories and the accessories need adapters and so on. That’s just too much stuff to mess with. I’m almost debt free for the first time in my adult life and, oddly enough, the less I buy, the less I want. Accumulation is an addiction just like anything else. Today, I have interests and I’m part of a group of people who are striving to live a spiritual life based on certain principles. I’m trying to be nicer and guess what? Suddenly, people everywhere are nicer to me.

I feel like I’m part of a bigger picture with a much less significant position than I used to hold. Yet I feel a power within that seems limitless. Again, this is the result of an effort way shy of herculean and a humble, willing heart. That’s it.

Personal finances are rarely ever a problem in their own right. They become problematic when other things are going on within us. When we walk around acting like spiritual sandpaper and letting most of the seven deadly sins rule our existence. If we look hard at ourselves, our motives and our self importance, we’ll most likely see where our economic phobias originate. Then we can distinguish between needs and wants. And, finally, we can do what little is required to sustain our needs and we can actually enjoy our lives.