139 – May 19
“The poor man is not he who is without a cent, but he who is without a dream.”—Hugh White
Annie the artist was concerned about the difficulty of selling art. The other members of the mastermind group listened attentively, ready to offer help. “I just took a great marketing class, said Annie, “and I’m having a difficult time coming up with a pain statement—a reason why people should buy my art because it will alleviate a pain they have. All around me I see people struggling with money and I can’t convince myself that they need to buy art. This makes selling art very difficult for me.”
Cynthia Masters spoke up then. A sleek, successful attorney, she smiled and said, “Oh, but art can be very important to a person, even when they don’t have a lot of money!” She said that when she had just moved to Los Angeles and was going to school, she had a job that paid her $384 a month—gross. After taxes, she had about $225 left and her rent was $145. She had $80 remaining for the balance of her expenses. This budget would be a Low Budget for anyone!
One day, she walked along La Cienega Boulevard with a friend, looking at all the pictures in the art galleries that lined the street. Suddenly, she saw a picture that stirred her heart and soul. She knew she just had to have it. It cost $125, but she bought it. She paid $5 per month every month until the picture was hers. It meant bologna instead of ham, it meant months of no extras. She had to struggle to make that payment. But she cherishes that picture, bought so long ago, that has continued to bring her joy every time she looks at it.
Some things are bought to alleviate a pain, others are bought purely to provide pleasure. There is a market and an approach for both. Everyone needs some special pleasure purchases in their lives. What have you bought that you truly treasure for the pleasure it brings you?
Today’s Affirmation:
“I attract great beauty into my life!
Sometimes we get so caught up in our obligatory bills that we forget that we need to nurture ourselves by spending money on something fun once in a while.
It doesn’t have to be a big sum or a big purchase. It can be a little thing like an ice cream cone in the middle of the day, going out to your favorite restaurant for dinner, buying that pretty necklace that makes you feel like a million bucks, or take a morning off and spring for a round of golf. (If it’s on a work day, you will have the added pleasure of playing hooky.)
Don’t let any negative self-talk get in the way of your delight. Your job is to fully experience and relish enjoyment and pleasure!
This is a gift you give yourself. You work hard, you show up for your family and friends, you have problems that you face and challenges you overcome. You get to relax and have fun, too.
You can be a wise money manager tomorrow. Today you get to play.
