confidence, or find the right partner, or have more money in the bank, or meet any other conditions that you may place on yourself in order to feel worthy. Self-love includes accepting each and every part of you. Yes, every part, all the good — your talents, strengths, beauty, wisdom, and many more qualities — as well as the not-so-good, those imperfections and faults we all possess. When you are committed to loving yourself, a positive flow occurs. You will be happier and will make better choices, attracting the right circumstances for prosperity and abundance.
The fourth essential truth is that money is a catalyst for your personal growth. As entrepreneur and author Jim Rohn once said, “After you become a millionaire, you can give all of your money away because what’s important is not the million dollars; what’s important is the person you have become in the process of becoming a millionaire.” Mastering money and abundance is a wonderful journey of personal and spiritual growth — you can become the best and highest version of yourself in the process. And once you understand the concept of wealth creation, you essentially hold the keys to abundance, regardless of the state of the economy. This means that you can become your most powerful self and be in full control of creating the prosperity you desire. Money is not just a means to buy material possessions; it is a tool for vitality and growth. Understanding this can help you let go of residual anxiety, guilt, or fear you might have regarding money.
The fifth essential truth is that money is part of your spiritual purpose. I have found that many women who are soulful often feel conflicted about generating more money in their business or career. They often say, “It’s not about the money. I just want to help lots of people.” Does this ring true for you? On the one hand, this sentiment is admirable, while on the other, it is a misconception. In fact, here is the irony of this situation: It is far more difficult to reach people when you have no money. You have an opportunity to help many more people and can do more good in the world when you have money, which provides you with the practical means to do so.
Even Mother Teresa, who lived very simply and was a champion for the poor, the dying, and the unborn, once stated, “It takes a checkbook to change the world.” This is a key secret understood by the masters of wealth and success who use money as a powerful force for good.
The truth is, the more money you earn, the more you can help others, be of service, make a bigger impact, and fulfill your soul’s purpose. In other words, let your prosperity reflect the good you contribute to the world. Poverty is not a spiritual or higher state of being, nor does suffering exalt the soul. Money is often required to accomplish your life’s work.
Money is part of your spiritual purpose, and you can use it to help you fully express yourself through your life’s work, and to realize your full potential and higher purpose. Since you have a big mission, money is the tool that will help you accomplish your important work in the world — including transforming lives.
CHAPTER SUMMARY
• To achieve success, you must first build a strong foundation for your relationship with money. Doing so will accelerate your journey to success.
• Money is a uniquely human creation, and as a society we have infused it with a powerful force of its own.
• We expend energy through our work in exchange for money, another form of energy.
• Connecting money with love opens up tremendous possibilities for joy. Money can be used to demonstrate your love, nurturing, and appreciation.
• A tremendous positive ripple effect occurs when women are empowered. You can take care of yourself and your family, help your community, and contribute to the economy and to the world.
• Mastering money and abundance is a powerful journey of personal growth. You can become the best and highest version of yourself in the process.
• You can be rich and spiritual at the same time. There is no need to choose.
• It is not more spiritual or nobler to be poor, for money is often required to accomplish your life’s work.
• Let your prosperity reflect the good you contribute to the world. You can use money as a positive and powerful force in service to others and to the world.
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. . . .As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
— MARIANNE WILLIAMSON
I WAS BORN IN THE PHILIPPINES, the fourth female and last child, with three sisters ahead of me. At the time of my birth, my family was not rich, but neither were they poor. In fact, I come from a large extended family of professionals — attorneys, judges, engineers, teachers, politicians, nurses, accountants, architects, and so on. Yet the simple fact is I was born in a developing nation with limited opportunities.
Even as I put these thoughts onto paper, I wonder what my life would have been like had my parents not accepted my beloved aunt’s invitation to immigrate to Canada when I was four. That one act of kindness, and my parents’ calculated decision to uproot their young family and leave behind all that they knew to begin a new life halfway across the world, was courageous and admirable. More important, that one act of compassion profoundly changed the trajectory and quality of my life forever. I am eternally grateful to my aunt and my parents.
Although I do not remember the journey itself, I do know that my parents’ decision spared me from witnessing the daily realities of the extreme disparities in wealth that exist between the rich and poor in my birth country. It also saved me from experiencing the frustration of having untapped potential and unrealized dreams. Instead, growing up in a prosperous country paved the way for my many opportunities and successes.
Fortunately, my parents were both college graduates and able to quickly build a solid foundation in their adopted land. I marvel at the fact that my mother earned a bachelor of commerce degree back in 1958, when women around the globe — especially in a developing nation — were not widely engaged in higher education. From when I was a young child until she reached retirement age, my mother had a corporate career, and I believe her fierce determination had a huge impact on me.
Since I was seven years old I have been fascinated with money, wealth, and success and captivated by the people who have it. Questions such as “How did they become wealthy and successful?” and “What is the secret to a life of wealth and abundance?” were ones I often pondered early on. As I grew older, I became curious as to why some people were able to create wealth from humble beginnings, while others who had wealth could manage to lose it all. This fascination with prosperity stayed with me throughout adolescence and into adulthood. It was not a daily thought but something that was frequently, if quietly, in the background of my consciousness. It was only much later that I finally realized the real purpose of this fascination.
My career choice at the age of twelve was to be a journalist, particularly to do what Barbara Walters did — interviewing people, learning about them, and sharing their inspiring stories. I loved what Walters did; she was a true trailblazer who paved the way for many women in her industry. Years later, I discovered Oprah Winfrey and admired her inspirational way of uplifting people to realize their fullest potential and higher calling and to follow their dreams. Her generosity and philanthropic spirit are beautiful expressions of
