Is this emotion creeping into your mind?

How many things are you juggling in the next 24 hours?

 While I can’t guess a number, I can guess that IT’S A LOT.  

 Work. Procuring groceries. Running a homeschool. Managing conflicting emotions. Trying to exercise. Brushing your hair before your 4th Zoom call of the day. 

 It’s. A. Lot.  

 This past week, I hope you gave yourself a permission slip to do something that you wanted to do! Or perhaps it was authorization to not do something that you felt you “should”. Regardless, I hope you printed the beautiful permission slip I shared last week and gave yourself the green light to proceed without guilt!!

 Two key words from that last sentence are without guilt.

 That feeling of guilt can be dark and heavy. And it’s been known to rear its head for many people when they think about money. For example….

 I’ve heard high income earners say they feel guilty for making more money than their parents did. I’ve heard from friends with expensive educational backgrounds who feel uncomfortable that they purposefully chose a less lucrative career path that their peers. More recently, a friend called me and asked, “is it wrong for me to think about making more money during a pandemic??”

 Guilt can be a powerful emotion, and it can often be woven through our feelings about money.

 As we make our way through this unprecedented time, I know that difficult emotions like guilt, fear, anxiety and grief can make cameo appearances in our days. Yet, we also likely feel inspired, encouraged and impressed with the happenings in our world today. 

 This week I’ve been thinking about how I can help others during this time; and I’ve been thinking about the things that I desire for myself. This combination of thoughts has brought up a range of emotions, and the following blurb from the book “Money Magic” by Michelle Masters came to mind. Michelle writes,

 “Wanting something for yourself does not mean you don’t care for others. Human beings are the only species on our planet that make themselves crazy over this. I don’t pretend to know what goes on in the mind of the average golden retriever, but I am pretty sure this conversation has never happened in one of their heads:

 ‘My human is offering me a cookie. Is it okay for me to have a cookie? 

 Have I had too many cookies? Do all the other dogs in the world have cookies? 

Will my person think less of me for wanting the cookie? 

 Am I a bad dog to want the cookie?’”

 I remember the first time I read this passage I laughed out loud. I realized that it’s okay to want things that you feel will make your life more enjoyable (like cookies)! 

 A golden retriever knows what it wants (the cookie) and they make their desire known (by licking and pushing their nose under your hand).

Has this ever happened to you? I remember this exact scenario playing out multiple times with the golden retrievers in my home and in my experience, here’s what happened…..  

 I smiled back at my dog, laughed, and of course gave them the cookie! The result? I felt great (for helping get them what they wanted) and they wagged their tail with joy!

It’s natural for emotions such as self-doubt and guilt to bubble up as you consider your wellness. So, I encourage you to remember all the things you’re juggling right now and to be aware of any creeping emotions that unnecessarily threaten your next steps. 

 It’s okay to want a cookie!