Unleashing Abundance

Lynne Twist in her book Soul of Money describes three toxic myths that pervade our society and drive a culture scarcity. These myths are:

1) There's not enough
2) More is better
3) That's just the way it is

These myths (or widely held, yet false beliefs) especially around the subjects of #money and #time are toxic (or, poisonous) because once ingested they drive people to madness, and eventually death (spiritually, or otherwise).  I can share that it has taken considerable effort on my own part to "detox" from these perspectives around time and money.  And, from my coaching work with other fundraising leaders, I know that scarcity consciousness is alive and well in the very groups of individuals whose purpose is to embody abundance. 

Knowing this, your intrepid blogger will be co-leading a workshop for a group of fundraisers at the United Way in Toronto with my good friend, Janice Cunning.  Together, Janice and I will take the workshop participants on an emotional journey from scarcity (where most of us reside) to abundance (where many of us dare not venture).  By doing so, we intend to create a shift of consciousness that will unleash abundance--for the fundraisers and the donors with whom they interact.  Stay tuned to the weather channel, a tornado may be reported in Toronto this Friday.

In the meanwhile, I encourage you to play a little game called "Money Madness", outlined by Julia Cameron in her book, The Artists Way.  Quickly (don't think), fill in the blanks below and then reflect on your beliefs around money.


I'd have more money if______________________________

My father thought money was_________________________

My mother thought money was________________________

If I had more money, I'd______________________________

If I could afford it, I'd ________________________________

Money is_________________________________________

Money makes_____________________________________

Having money is not________________________________

To have more money I need to _______________________

When I have money I usually_________________________

People think money is_______________________________

If I weren't so cheap, I'd______________________________

Forget About Anger Management

"I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore."  

Click on the link above for a memorable scene from the 1976 film Network that is an expression of the zeitgeist of the '70s.  That sentiment resonates through the culture today.  Especially with me right now.

Sadly, we've become conditioned in the current society to tamp down our anger.  In corporate, you'll end up in HR with a reprimand and a mandatory "#anger management" seminar for expressing it.  In the family, your neighbors may call "child protective services" for shouting at your children to stop playing with matches as they kindle a fire in your garage.  Yet even Jesus (among the most peaceful men in recorded history) knew that anger can be used in service of good as he properly channeled his own to drive the money changers from the temple.

As fundraisers, we can channel our own anger at injustice, poverty, poor education, child abuse, disease, or any cause/condition we find unacceptable.  Julia Cameron in her book The Artist's Way, describes anger as fuel for change.  In her words, "anger is meant to be acted upon, not acted out" (paraphrase).  Anger points us in the direction where we want to see change in our lives, or in our society.  When we tamp it down, we suppress a creative force that has the potential to change the world...for the better.

So, what are you mad as hell about, and what are you no longer going to tolerate?  How will you put that energy to good use?