How many of you, like me, grew up with not enough? You barely had food and you definitely didn’t have money. You relied on the government, not only for food stamps but also the rations they passed out to those families who were on welfare. The powdered milk, eggs, and cheese. The bags of rice and potatoes? You were living in scarcity, and it had a profound effect on you as a teenager and possibly into adulthood. Way back in the farthest parts of your mind you believe you will run out of money or food, so you continue to live that way. Even when you have enough, you don’t recognize it and live like you don’t. I am not saying that you go out and spend every penny you have, but there is a point in your life where you recognize that you made it. You don’t have to live paycheck to paycheck anymore, you have some money left over at the end of the month.
As a child growing up in challenging circumstances some of us developed anxiety and depression early on because we didn’t know where our next meal was coming from. Or if mom had enough money to get us underwear because the ones we currently have are holey. My siblings and I often had to shop at a place called the Clothes Closet in our neighborhood where we would get used clothing that other families donated. We often felt ashamed and often were bullied by other kids in the neighborhood because of our poor status. It’s like my dad used to say, we were broke, busted and disgusted.
Just because you don’t have money at that moment doesn’t mean that you are broke. So many times, I will answer with I don’t have the money but that doesn’t mean I don’t have any money, that just means I don’t have money for that specific thing. I didn’t budget for it. Often, I will be corrected whether it’s from one of my closest friends or one of my kids. They will remind me, I am not broke. It took a long time for me to get to a place where I know I am no longer poor because in the back of my mind it could happen at any minute. I could lose everything. I have worked very hard to get to where I am today in my mind and in my finances. I may not be rich in money, but I have enough to get by and I am rich in spirit. I am no longer living paycheck to paycheck, and I have a little left over at the end of the month. One day I will have an abundance but until then I don’t have to keep living in that broke mentality.
Recently I was talking to someone I know who like me is always saying they don’t have the money for this or that. But I know this not to be true. I know for a fact they have the funds to do what they need to do, but their mentality is stuck on not having enough. So therefore, it's causing them to live in lack when they don’t need to. A lot of the time the battle has to be won in our minds before we can win in our everyday lives. It’s not a matter of spending all you have but making sure you have what you need so you can live free of stress. Romans 12:2 in the bible says don’t pattern your life after this world, but let God transform you from the inside out and give you a new way of thinking… If you continue to think like a broke person, you will continue living like a broke person.
You may not have more than enough, but like me you have just enough and as long as you make good decisions with what you have it will work for you. Make sure you are budgeting your money and telling it where to go, instead of wondering where it went. You have the power to change your circumstances if you utilize your money wisely.
Sending you love, light and positive vibes,
Cassie K.
"Always remember to LIVE life to the fullest, to LAUGH at everything and to LOVE unconditionally."