Am I really going to talk to you about money, right now?!
Yes.
And no.
Please let me explain.
We’re all still reeling from the massacre in Orlando – still processing the shock, anguish, and perhaps fear that arises when we learn of such unspeakable acts.
As a country we’re consumed by what this one heinous man did.
Our thoughts are with the victims and the loved ones they left behind.
We’re hearing the stories from the people who were inside the club. The story about the mom who got text messages from her son saying “I love you mommy. I’m going to die” was especially heartbreaking. Tears come to my eyes now at the thought of it.
We think about who or what could have prevented this.
We ask how can we go forward so we don’t have to re-live these scenarios over and over.
We’re pleading with leaders to do something.
Collectively, we’re busy with this important issue.
Which means that now isn’t the time to talk about money.
To an extent, I agree.
I certainly don’t think this is the time to talk about something like what car to buy next.
But we need to talk about important money matters now.
Because our money requires constant care and attention. Not a ton. But some. Always.
The truth is, there are always things going on that make this an “inappropriate time” to talk about money.
We can always find a reason to avoid the subject.
Something going on in the world, country, or community deserves our attention – that’s true.
I am all for bearing witness to the pain of others, holding people in my thoughts and prayers, and advocating for solutions.
And still, it’s not a time to ignore the things that make me able to bear witness, think of others, and advocate.
I can only do these things well when I am healthy enough of mind, body, and spirit. And I believe that it includes our finances since we buy food, shelter, and meditation classes.
That my finances are taken care of allows me to look at the world from the perspective of others more often because I’m not so consumed by my own survival needs.
I can more readily share in the experiences of others if I’m not worried about my bills.
I can be a more involved advocate (including taking time off, flying to DC and participating in a week-long sit-in at the Capitol) because my finances can support me.
This isn’t to say you can’t be an effective advocate if you don’t have a lot of money. It’s just that the way I choose to advocate is possible for me because of being financially fit.
So there’s nothing in particular about money that I want to tell you today.
Except to say that concerning ourselves with our finances is important even when we have every reason to ignore them.
We can always justify to ourselves that there are more important things to focus on right now.
But I invite you to consider how you might be using “more important things” as permission to put off dealing with your finances.
For the record, I’m not saying that YOU are doing this. Maybe you are. Maybe you aren’t. I’m only asking that you consider it as a possibility. It is true that not every one is doing this.
I just ask for your willingness to consider how this might be true for you.
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