Overcoming The Fear Of Money

Many people, it seems, have a fear of money. Does the thought of having a lot of money make you uncomfortable? Cause you anxiety? If so, it may be that you are buying into the myths about money. Myths that are simply untrue. In fact, many of the most common statements about money are often misquoted, wrong, or were made by people who did not understand money ... or had none.

Let's look at a few of the myths about money ...

"Money is the root of all evil"

Everybody has heard this one. Unfortunately, it's one of the most famous misquotes of all time. The original quote comes from the New Testament and the correct quote is "the LOVE of money is the root of all evil". The love of money is an obsession and thus the true quote warns of the potential corruption that can derive from a love of, or obsession with, money (or any unhealthy preoccupation).. The fact is that money itself is neither good nor evil. It is neutral. Money can be used for good or it can be used for bad. How it is used is a choice, and the choice of how to use money is in the hands of he (or she) who controls it.

"Money is Power" (and Power corrupts)

Money itself has no real power. For instance, if you were legally given 10 million after-tax dollars in cash, put it in a safe deposit box, never touched it and never told anyone you had it you would have no more power than you do right now. The power of money comes from the use (or misuse) of it or the perceived benefit or threat by others. The money itself does not generate any power; it has to be converted into power. And whether or not you wish to convert money into power is a choice. And if one decides to convert money into power that power may be used for good or for evil, depending on the character of the person with the money.

"Money will change your life"

Let's hope so! Used wisely, money can greatly ease many of life's burdens and greatly enhance one's life. Or, if you have a weak character, choose to live in fear and worry, you can let money make you miserable. It's not the money, it's YOU. The important thing to realize is that you get to control the money, it doesn't get to control you. Want proof? Here's how much actual control you have over your money - in the extreme, you can always give all the money away - and be rid of it. Just like that. You can give it all to charity, you can throw it out the window, you can walk down the street and hand it out. You can burn it all. It's yours and you can do whatever you want with it, including give it away. Gone. You can make it all disappear if you choose to do so. That may be a stupid choice but that choice is always yours. That's the ultimate power you have over your money and it rests in your hands. Money doesn't ruin or change your life or change you or take control over your life. Unless you let it. And since you have the ultimate power to get rid of it why would you let it ruin your life?

"Money can't buy you happiness"

This is true - if you are not happy to begin with. However, if you reasonably well-grounded, have a good value system and a little control over yourself money won't hurt you either. Contrary to popular wisdom, money and happiness are not mutually exclusive. In fact, money can greatly enhance the security, independence and well being of your life, your family's life and the lives of people you care about. Money can't buy you happiness but happiness can't buy you money!

To sum it up, the fear of money is often based on misconceptions. The truth is that money itself is simply an inanimate thing, doesn't know or care who does what with it, has no moral or ethical value and is a necessary commodity to have in the civilized world. Money, in the hands of whoever has it, has the capacity for great good or great evil, depending on who is doing the spending. It is not money that should be judged but the character and actions of the person (or entity) who uses it.

Money is nothing to fear.

About The Author

Andrew Lawrence is a former Wall St money market professional who studied and understands money. He has managed money in excess of 500 million dollars. He now spends his time helping individuals find their true purpose in life, through his website at http://lifemastery.tripod.com

---

Remembering What You Read - Nine Effective Strategies

Reading lots these days? Having trouble remembering and recalling? For... Read More

A Pyramid of Success

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a... Read More

Plants, Herbs and Roots For Prosperity

Plants of all kinds (including trees), herbs and roots have... Read More

Learning From Failure--What To Do When You Blow It!

Becoming successful is not easy. We all get tossed around... Read More

10 Compelling Reasons to Stop Singing the Blues

Are you:- feeling unfulfilled and dissatisfied with your life?- ready... Read More

Limiting Beliefs - How to Break Through the Barrier

Circus trainers used to tie a chain around a baby... Read More

8 Categories to Instantly Organize Your Success Strategy

You're enjoying a perfectly shallow conversation with a good friend... Read More

The True BMI of Success - What is the True Definition of Success?

The TRUE BMI of SUCCESS (B)e a (M)illionaire (I)ndexWhy am... Read More

10 Questions: Do You Have What It Takes?

Do you have what it takes to be really successful?Have... Read More

3 Powerful Tips to Help You Have Your Best Year Ever

Here are 3 powerful steps you can take to free... Read More

What It Takes To Be A Champion

What is a champion really? Sure, all success oriented people... Read More

The Secret of My Success

In Latin the word means 'to dare'.This word is so... Read More

Personal Power: Implementing Change from the Inside Out

Personal power is an INSIDE JOB. It doesn't mean getting... Read More

Reach Your Goals - The Fine Art Of The End Run

Perfect the fine art of the end run From time... Read More

Scientific Discovery Reveals How You Can Live Better Forever

If you are not experiencing perfect, harmonious, pressure-free life experiences... Read More

The Fastest Way to Success

Your mind is the only tool that can create success... Read More

Bill Gates: Why He is the Richest Man in the World

Bill is a man for the people, of the people... Read More

High Energy Performance

One of the hallmarks of all successful and high achieving... Read More

Have You Given Away Your Power?

Does your life feel less than fulfilling? Are you waiting... Read More

Success Through Work And Training

Most self-help truths are obvious but obvious truths are often... Read More

You Know How, But Do You Know Why?

An unexamined life is not worth living ? SocratesAll too... Read More

Identify and Remedy Work Addiction

Work addiction is an unrestrained, unfulfillable internal demand for constant... Read More

How the Subconscious Mind can Accelerate Self Improvement and Success

Just how powerful is the Subconscious Mind and how can... Read More

Learn Faster, Change is Coming

Challenges posed by recent economic and market shifts, though predicted... Read More

Success; So Close, Yet So Far Away!

Have you ever had this feeling? You're standing in front... Read More

Average Sucks!

The very first "motivational speaker" I heard as an adult... Read More

Opportunities for Success: A Nickel in the Road

Exercising is not one of my favorite pastimes but I... Read More

The Arenas of Success

"The credit belongs to the man who is actually in... Read More

Motivation By Desire

Many of us have lost sight of what we really... Read More

Does Your School Teach You How to Achieve Financial Freedom?

Study hard, get good grades and you will have a... Read More

Accelerated Learning is Profitable

Accelerated learning is not only practical, it is profitable. Acquiring... Read More

Purpose in Amsall?s Success Mindset Tripod

Here are the 3 elements of the "Purpose" leg in... Read More

Psychological Tips For Effective Examination Techniques

One of the inevitabilities of University life is the examination.... Read More