Money Makes the World Go Round ... or Does It?

In elementary school, I dreamed of being an artist, either a painter or a musician. Then, after years of studying ballet, I imagined myself dancing as part of a company, and I doubled my efforts to achieve this dream. Attending university was not just encouraged but a given, so I studied dance at Brigham Young University. But then my dreams disintegrated. Believing myself not to be good enough, I faltered and changed course.

Attempting to appease my parents, I studied biology and because of a life-long connection with animals, decided to be a veterinarian. Along the way, the goal seemed unreachable. I couldn’t see how I could get there from where I was. So, taking a couple of years off to assess my path, I ended up working as an exercise instructor at a YMCA. Returning to university study, I resumed, but changed my major to physical education. I took courses for two years towards this goal, but again, the end seemed distant and unattainable. To earn my general education requirements, I completed numerous upper level courses. Some of these were in political science and religious studies. Studying, I felt energized, drawn in, excited to learn, and upon changing my major was pleased to discover I was already near the finish line and only needed a few more classes to finish the degree. I found my north star in my studies, but did not know how to translate that into a career where I was supporting myself.

Graduating magna cum laude after six years and attending four different colleges and universities, I felt lost. I talked with guidance counselors, scoured want ads and applied for graduate studies, even receiving a full tuition scholarship. In hindsight I see this as one of my life’s pivotal junctures, but at the time, I wore blinders.

Scorning the trappings of the consumer culture, I had no interest in a 9 to 5 office position. I required enough money to provide a simple living, but didn’t desire more than that. Upon graduating, I worked as an Arthur Murray dance instructor in the evenings along with a variety of day jobs from jewelry sales to receptionist to waitress. Ironically, I often worked much longer days than a typical 9 to 5 job.

I carried on this way until marriage and family came along. As I became the full supporter of the family, I did whatever I had to do to make ends meet. Now I am eternally grateful for office jobs. While my children were growing up, I often worked two or more jobs in the attempt to both put food on the table and pay the rent. Sometimes I was successful; other times not.

Photo byKat YukawaonUnsplash

Currency is something that is used as a medium of exchange. It aids us in providing for our own and our family’s physical well-being. Disorder exists when the value of what one does is consistently tied into a unit of exchange in the marketplace. As example, a work of art, a song, or a poem has no intrinsic value in our culture unless it is purchased.

Art is the soul’s expression materialized, reaching out to communicate with other souls. Julia Cameron, author of The Artists Way, said, “Art is a process not a product. There is no end. The journey is the end.” How can we assign dollar value to that which nourishes the soul? It is invaluable.

Instead of relating value solely in monetary units, change perspective. Imagine a world where value was determined by service to one’s neighbor, where there is no fear of the future as all trust that they will be provided for. Those who nourish souls or lead others to a connection with the Eternal would be of great value.

Financial exchange becomes of less value. People would be able to afford their homes, food, and provide for their families through service. We are servants first all else is secondary.

How can we get from where we are currently to this utopia? Stop buying into the existing order, literally. Provide for yourself and for your family as much as possible through living simply and supporting others who also choose to live simply. This is not a change that happens overnight, but gradually purchase by purchase.

How can I provide for my family – food, education, a home, transportation, entertainment? Trust in the Universe. We need to learn to share of the great abundance of our world. This means taking a leap of faith from living in fear to living in Love.

People are afraid that if we don’t support the corporations, unemployment will reign. There is always work to provide for selves and communities. Again, see work as life service. Think outside the box (the big boxes). If corporations continue to exist, they exist merely to provide a living for those they employ. They do not exist to earn profits. The decision-makers and leaders of the corporations and any business are not seen or rewarded as more valuable than other workers. All must work together and share of their talents.

The change starts one person at a time, one family at a time. Be the change in the world.