Hey Friend,
On Monday afternoon, one of my clients told me a story about his father, who migrated to Australia.
His dad drove taxis from 3am to 3pm, six days a week, for years. He saved enough to buy a family home.
I’m always amazed by the work ethic of immigrants.
But my client also said his father was always complaining, about the work, about the mortgage.
As my client reflected on this, he realised he did the same thing, complaining or thinking negatively whenever his rent was due.
Our parents’ feelings about money often become our own.
He could see his father’s feelings about the mortgage, reflected in his own feelings about rent.
It was a powerful realisation.
Have you ever met someone who complains about everything? How much time do you like spending with that person?
Minimal, if any.
The same is true for money.
Money will not stay where it’s not appreciated and valued.
I’ve been re-reading ‘Happy Money’ by Japanese financial teacher Ken Honda.
The core philosophy: money is energy, and yours is either “smiling” or “crying” depending on the energy you’ve infused it with.
Ken’s mentor, Wahei Takeda (known as the Warren Buffett of Japan), taught him a simple secret to keep money happy and flowing:
Always say arigato (thank you), when money flows in and out of your life.
Infuse your money with the energy of gratitude.
When you receive money, stop and say thank you.
Thank you to my clients who value the work I do. Thank you to my employer for the opportunity to serve. Thank you to the company I’ve invested in.
When you’re spending money, pause and say thank you.
Thank you to the business owner who took the risk to create this service I’m receiving. Thank you for making my life easier. Thank you to every hand that helped put this food on my table.
One of the laws of the universe is:
What you do to others, you do to yourself. And what you give to others, you give to yourself.
So, when you show appreciation to your money and the people who serve you, you are blessed with more money to give, enjoy and circulate.
A man deep in debt once came to Wahei in desperation, asking for a loan. Wahei said yes, on one condition: the man had to say arigato 100,000 times first.
He agreed.
By the time he came back to collect the loan, he no longer needed it. Programming his mind with gratitude had already turned his life around. He was able to start paying off his debts himself.
Powerful.
How would your circumstances change if you infused your mind, language and actions with appreciation?
Try it this week.
Every time money comes in or goes out, pause and say thank you. Notice how you feel. And know that you are creating the flow of Happy Money.
