Soul Money

Perusing Instagram this early morning, I came across this photo.  It made me stop and think about money.  You see, I have a lifetime struggle with money.   In the past, I felt like I never and would never have enough.

It is somewhat surprising, too.  I have so much to be grateful for and so many neat ways my husband and I spend our money, which we earn from both of our salaries.  As I think you already know, we have two small places to live - one in Maryland and one in Colorado.  A say small, but really they are just the right size for our family of four (Jedi included, of course).   If you want specific square footage, our Colorado condo is right around 900 square feet.   Our Maryland home is 1,800 square feet.   In fact, I would say our Maryland home is one room too big for us.  We believe two small homes equals one big place to live.  Plus, we are thrilled to share time in both states.

We also believe a learning environment that resonates with Lil O's learning preferences is of the utmost importance to her being.  Thus, we go out of our way and drive by two public schools to send Lil O to a private Montessori school where she soars.  It is surprising to some of our friends as our public school district has a great reputation, yet we choose to pay over $10K a year for Lil O's schooling.

I tell you all this because with two mortgages and private school tuition, we are certainly not living the life of paupers.  We have enough.  And that is the point of this blog post.

We have enough.

A wise coaching friend, when I shared my lifetime money struggle, suggested I read The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist.  I did.  And so many of Twist's words spoke to me.  The biggest message for me was there is always enough money when we do what we love and align with our values.  That's me!  I am addicted to doing what I love and living a life aligned with my values (which includes my values of joy, connection, creativity, and taking initiative).

More of Twist's words spoke to me.....

• Be a steward of money and not a gatherer.
• What you appreciate appreciates.
• Money carries your intention.
• If you do what you love, sufficiency follows.
• We create our most lasting legacy in the way we live.
• Let your money express your soul.

I am not through my lifetime struggle with money, but I am redefining what money means to me. Money doesn't have to feel scarce.  It doesn't have to be never enough.  Instead like Twist suggests, money can express my soul and my family's soul, too.

Does the way you gain money or spend money express your soul?  It's an interesting question to ponder.  I'm thinking about it myself.

Deeply yours,

Jen

Amazon affiliate link included in this post - talking about money and making money all in the same post. Ha!

Meanwhile...

Fall is in the mid-Atlantic air.  The trees haven't quite read the email, time to change your colors.  I just finished my first full chapter - 6,200 words later.  I need a tee that reads, embrace the first draft. Meanwhile, this is what's open in my browser (which is my clever way of procrastinating or celebrating)....

Could someone please open one of these near me?

Word Hippo is my new BFF.

You've heard of the Slow Food Movement.  How about Slow Education?  Thanks, Christina!

My 8-year old self would do cartwheels for this subscription service.

I needed to read this.  Especially the butt in chair part.

Heading to NYC soon for a conference.  I'm going here for sure.

I'm a sucker for pumpkin and anything chai-related.  Plus, how awesome is this photography?

The weekend is a-comin'!  My mom is in town and we have some fun plans.

Enjoy yours,

Jen

Brave Lessons {No. 5}

I cannot believe how much I've needed to lean into Brave these last few weeks.  Do you remember when I was wondering if I even needed Brave?  You can find that blog post here in case you missed it.  What was I thinking?  I bet a few of you were like, oh, she needs Brave, for sure.  Wait for it, Jen.

My word for 2014 is rightly chosen for me.  I need Bravery.  Period.

Here's what I've learned about Brave since the last update:

• I am afraid of many things.  I know I may not look like I am afraid or sound like I am, but I am. I'm afraid of failing, letting others down, letting myself down, sounding like an idiot, dreaming too big.  Fear, fear, fear.
• The antidote to all of those fears is one simple thing, Bravery.  I only have to be Brave.  
• I've learned I am not alone.  Recently at a leadership retreat I attended, I found about 30 people (out of 40) who feel like I do.  Fearful.  And we all agreed, if we could just be Brave the fear would be a non-issue.  A non-issue!  Gone.
• This book I'm writing.  Oh, man, have I had to own it lately.  Here's a true story - one that took Bravery and is a good example of dreaming too big (or dreaming just the right amount - depending on how you look at it).  I am on the airplane to Chicago to attend the leadership retreat I mentioned.  The guy next to me asks what do you do?  You know what I say?  I say, I'm an author.  I'm writing a book.  What?  Have I lost my mind?  Yep.  I'm an author (amongst many hats I wear, which I further described to him later in our conversation).  Bravery to say I'm an author aloud, plus a whole lot of audacity.
• Oh, here's another true story.  I spoke to my literary agent last week.  I mean, if you are writing a book you need an agent, right?  She happens to be a childhood friend of mine, too, which makes our conversations equally serious and playful.  Anyway, she was sharing information about some of her authors and their "two book deals" they've received.  When I awoke the next morning, I said to Mr. UpCyclist, I think I have two book deal in me.  What the bleep?!  I haven't completed one book and I've got ideas for book #2?  And that's the day, I started a new list in my notebook, Topics for Book #2.  So far, I have two ideas written down.
• That was also the day I started to question myself - is this Bravery or arrogance?
• But, this I know.  Arrogance doesn't get you anywhere.  People dislike you.  No one wants to be around you.  Bravery is just the opposite.  The braver I become, the more magnetic life becomes.  So, what feels like arrogance, I believe is confidence.  And what feels like Bravery really is because I can feel and see the path clearing in front of me.  The more I lean into Brave, the clearer and wider that path becomes.

I hope you have one of those path-clearing-weekends - even if its a path right to your couch for fall movies, which totally sounds delightful.

Bravely yours, 

Jen

Love. This. Quote.

The massive outline for my book is complete.  I am now in the writing phase.  I show up everyday to write something - from one paragraph to pages of writing.

I am banking on this quote.

xo,

Jen

Sabbatical Update: Spoiler Alert! I love it!

The title of this post gave it away.  I am loving my sabbatical.  LOVING.  In my Jen style, here's a list of why - some of which will be totally obvious; maybe some a surprise:

1. I am digging all the research.  DIGGING.  I could read research all day related to the topic I am studying - engaging others (to maximize learning).
2. I have a 20+ page outline going and I LOVE it.  LOVE.  I've realized there is so much I've wanted to say for years and this book will be the opportunity to seam it all together.
3. I am adoring working from interesting spaces - my vehicle, my sister and brother-in-law's cool office, with a friend, by myself (technically with Jedi by my feet), and coffee shops.
4. Speaking of coffee shops, sometimes while I am researching and writing I listen to this.  I love the background noise.  In fact,  I am listening to it now.   Latte, anyone?
5. I've had to shut up that voice that says, you can't write a book!  You aren't an author! a few times.  That voice pisses me off (yep, I used "pisses" in a blog post).  I actually now think there is a book in all of us.  Everyone single one of us.
6. This sabbatical is a great metric of my ability to stay focused and on-task.  I would say my skills are fairly good at this until yesterday.   Procrastination visited and she wasn't helpful.  My cure was to take an hour to get out of the house and come back and get back to work.
7. Work.  It's actually hard to call this sabbatical work because I am enjoying it so much.  Makes me think of this Dear Abby quote I blogged about a while ago.

Right now, this sabbatical feels like a dream job.  DREAM.  I'm digging deeper into a topic I love.  I believe the end product will add value to the world of education.   And I'm getting more in touch with my voice.  

Which apparently has much to say.

Off I go to work...Have a stellar weekend, fantastic blog reader,

Jen