My earliest recollections about money weren't very positive because we didn't have much. My father's favorite saying as he handed me my $1 weekly allowance was, "Remember, money doesn't grow on trees." Also, I grew up in a religion that thought money was the root of all evil, unless you gave it to the church; then it was a holy sacrifice.

So for many years I struggled in my relationship to money. I thought if I studied hard, did what I was supposed to, found a job and worked hard, I would have enough money for all the necessities and even a little left over for some fun stuff. Well, guess what, it worked. I got what I expected—hard work and just enough money with a little left over.

About seven years ago still struggling, I decided to change my relationship to money. I read Suze Orman's book, The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom, The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles and Manifesting Methods for Would Be Millionaires by Susan James. I listened to Oprah about saving money and making money grow. I started getting very curious about money, who had it, how did they get it and what they thought about it. It was helpful to hear all the varying view points about money and specifically how people talked about money. It was then I decided that I would have my share. And to do so, I would have to change my entire relationship to money. Making that decision alone was the turning point. Here are a few principles that work for me.

Intend to have money.
Create an intention to have money! We need to have a mindset that we can have money. Money does not discriminate. It is available to all who claim it, including you. When you intend and decree, you are giving instruction to the "universal creative field" in which we live. Never say you "want" or "need" money. This is a literal universe and the state you create for yourself is the state of "wanting" or "needing" rather than receiving. Write a decree to have money, declare it and state it in the present tense as if it is already so: I decree I have all the money I desire easily.

Believe you're worth it.
The intention we create is very important because with it, we subconsciously tell ourselves that we deserve money and all that money provides. Create a powerful affirmation for yourself. Say it often and when you have a negative thought about money or your worth, replace that thought with a positive one. If we are in conflict within ourselves, we manifest conflict externally rather than abundance.

Change your perception about money.
Examine your belief system about money and make appropriate changes. Money has the emotional value we assign to it. Money is not scarce, it does not grow on trees, but it does grow and it is not evil. Money is energy. We exchange money for tangible things and for experiences. Money is abundant. Money flows through the universe as energy, transforming into whatever we desire.

Change the way you talk about money.
Words are very powerful. Rather than saying I don’t have enough for this or for that, rather say, "I choose to invest my money at the right time". I've wanted to buy a sports car for years, a fast, red one. Yet, when it actually comes down to making the purchase, I hesitate, I make excuses, I think about the payments. Then I realize, it's not the right time and I can choose when I want to spend. I can choose to save the money or to invest it in something else. I choose. Having a choice means that I’m not depriving myself. I never say I don't have enough. What I say is, "I have all the money I ever desire and I choose when to invest it and in what to invest."

Be open to receive.
Open yourself to receive money in many forms and remove judgment as to its perceived value or source. When I was just married, my mother-in-law taught me something very powerful. She said, "Whenever anyone gives you anything, whether you like it or not, whether you need it or not, accept it and be grateful for it." She was so right. When anyone gave me anything, I was grateful. I never turned the "gift" down. This is an important point about receiving. I have always been able to turn "gifts" of used appliances and other garage-sale items into donations. And this set me up to receive and to give. The more I was open to receive, the more I received. The more I received, the better the "gifts" got.

I remember several years ago, my manager gave me some stock options for a job well done. He apologized profusely because the options were not worth much at the time. Well, even today with the stock market grossly down, my options are still above water, having split twice, quadrupling the number and reducing the strike price.

Follow your intuition.
Follow your intuition about money and investments. Four years ago, I bought a time share on Maui, thinking that $10,000 for 1 week every other year was a ridiculous price to pay, but I did it anyway. I love Maui and this would ensure I would have a reason to go every other year. Then a couple of months later, I had an opportunity to buy a one-bedroom condo at the resort next door. I almost said no, because I had recently bought the time share. But my intuition was so strong, I did it anyway. I sold some stock to make the down payment, thinking the monthly mortgage and maintenance fees would cut deeply into my reserves. However, this turned out to be a very good investment because I put the condo in the vacation rental pool and the income generated pays the mortgage, property taxes and maintenance. In five years, the condo has tripled in value and is paying for itself. I also trade my time share weeks for Paris, Rome and London.

Align your livelihood to your values and your life purpose.
Seven years ago, I was working in a job I didn't like for a company of people who I thought were dishonest and unethical. As a program manager, I reported my project's status to a Board for review each month. Seven months into the project, we were in cost over-runs and missing deadlines. My boss wanted me to lie about the status, thinking that the Board may cancel the project and blame him. Well, I told the truth, the project was cancelled and I was asked to leave. This was the best thing that could have happened. At the time, I was scared but actively looked for the job of my dreams.

Six months later, I got the very best job I've ever had. It's the work I love doing with people I love working with. This is when things really started happening for me regarding money. I received a raise from what I was previously making, received stock options and bought my condo on Maui.

Currently, I have started my own business, furthering my life's purpose into livelihood. You've probably heard the saying, "Follow your bliss and the money will come." I completely believe that.

My life's purpose is to be a catalyst for transformation and healing for myself and others. The way that manifests is by actively creating experiences in a loving container/environment where people can explore and discover without judgment. The Purpose, Passion, Prosperity & Pleasure journey in Bali is just one example.

To see more of what manifesting life purpose looks like, click here.

ALOHA!