Dear Coach Paradise,
My uncle has just died and I know that he has left me some money in his will, which I will receive in a couple of months. I am really grateful to him and all excited. I have debts to pay off and will be glad to get rid of them.
I have a long wish list and feel like I will finally be able to breath and treat myself to a few luxuries that have been few and far between over the past years. I know that I should put some of the money into a savings account or CD, or invest it.
I am also really worried that I will spend it all and in no time at all will be back to square one. As this uncle was the last relative with any money and this will be my last inheritance, I really don’t want to blow it and feel like I need to be saved from myself.
Empty Pockets in Paradise
Dear Empty Pockets,
There is a Buddhist proverb that talks of an empty cup as a space ready to be made full. I see your pockets in the same way – they may be empty now but are ready to welcome the fullness of your windfall. The fact that you are writing to me tells me how intent you are on changing your relationship with money. What you describe sounds like an extended one-night stand – a lot of fun but not much to show for it in the next morning.
Meeting with a financial advisor might be a good idea, just so you know your options and put yourself in the position of considering what you really want and how you would like to use this money to move toward your goals. Remember, money is a form of energy, and you get to decide how to channel this energy if you will take the time to clean up the channels and direct the energy toward something that really matters to you.
Did you know that over 90 percent of millionaire lottery winners lose their money within three years? This is because they continue to think and behave as they did before they had money. They might have been wealthy on the outside but they did not possess inner wealth, which encompasses self-awareness, joy, true health and love. These are the kinds of prosperity that create a solid foundation on which outer wealth can grow — rather than "Here today, gone tomorrow" or “I’m not really wealthy, I just have a lot of cash and I’d better spend it now because it's not going to last.”
So, while you are waiting for your check to arrive I would suggest that you do some inner work and focus on improving your relationship with money, happiness, health, joy and love and see and experience yourself as truly wealthy. This is the inner prep work that will enable you to handle the outer wealth in a responsible and joyful way.
You don’t need to be saved from yourself – you need get in touch with your true, wildly wealthy nature and be your own rescue squad. This is a great time for a coach!
To your good fortune,
Coach Paradise
Editor's note: Coach Paradise (AKA Anne Nayer), Professional Life Coach, is a member of the International Coaching Federation, an MSW clinical social worker-psychotherapist and a medical case manager with 30 years experience working with people of all shapes, sizes and challenges.
For further information about her services, call 774-4355 or email her.