Getting the Most From Life (No Matter How Much You Make)

We'll sacrifice just about anything for the almighty dollar won't we? Freedom, friends, family... and personal contentment? Does anyone even remember what that is?

But contrary to popular belief, money isn't really everything and the more you can change your attitude about the ugly green monster, the richer you'll become.

The reason is that our relationship with money seems to define everything else about us. If we believe we're poor for example, then that's exactly how we behave. We feel deprived, overlooked and certainly not free to choose from all the wonderful things that life has to offer. And when we do finally receive some sort of windfall, no matter how big or how small, we'll spend it as if its the last cashflow boost we'll ever see because of course, we believe that it is.

If you watched the video above, then you know its full of affirmations for attracting wealth. Law of Attraction kind of stuff, based on the principle that what you believe becomes what is.

And whether you believe in this line of thinking or not doesn't matter. What does matter is how you and your money co-exist. Do you see it as scarce and slippery? Or is it abundant and within your grasp? Does money cause you stress? Or is it simply a means to acquire the things that truly make you happy? Do you see yourself as wealthy and secure or is your financial bubble hanging on by a thread?

How we feel about money dictates how we approach life. Those who believe they have everything they need to live a full, rich life will tackle new challenges without fear or hesitation. They see wealth as anything else in life - something completely and openly attainable to anyone who wants it. These are also the people who tend to take more vacations - even if its just a roadtrip across state lines - and always seem to have new hobbies, projects and interests going on.

Those of us on the other side of the coin however, see money as something they aren't meant to have. Those challenges and obstacles are destiny's way of keeping us in line and making sure we don't become too arrogant as a result of success. We loathe money, we envy money and we are torn between the desire to hoard it and a deep-seated need to enjoy spending it. This is also the group that works ridiculously long hours and enjoys very little. They are forever with too much to do and not nearly enough time so fun things like vacations and hobbies are just simply out of the question. They are for the most part, miserable. And they see money as the root of their problems.

Now, did you notice one distinct component missing from both of these descriptions? I never mentioned how much money these two groups actually had.

Why?

Because it doesn't matter. Some of the "richest" people I know don't actually make a large income on paper, yet they always seem to have more than enough to do the things they want to do. And still other friends are always broke, always "just getting by", even though they make substantially more than my "rich" friends.

So then... what to do? How do you change your attitude about money?

In order to enjoy an abundant and fulfilling life, you're going to have to start creating one. That's right... you. After all, you're the one in control right? It is your life isn't it? So if you don't say what goes, then who will?

And believe it or not, you don't need a ton of cash to feel like your life is full of abundance and wealth. No, no, no...you can have the time of your life on any budget and trust me when I say this - the more you approach life as if money weren't an issue, the less of an issue it will actually be.

For starters, go open up a savings account if you don't already have one and if you do, switch it over to a high-yield account like those at Capital One, ING Direct and Emigrant Savings. There's no minimum deposit and you can funnel just $5 or $10 a month into it if that's all you think you can afford. What's the point of that? For one, that $5 to $10 dollars will slowly but surely (remember, the hare and the tortoise?) start to add up, not to mention the 4 to 5% you'll be earning in interest. But more importantly, the mere act of putting money aside in savings each month is a very empowering thing to do.

And since you're starting to feel financially brilliant, take the next step and start learning about how you can put your money to work for you. Investing seems complicated and it all sounds really scary but the truth is, with some time, legwork and a little patience, you can become your own financial guru.

Next, make some time each month for something new you want to learn or do. Try your hand at painting or give poetry a whirl. Learn to skateboard, play raquetball or take horseback riding lessons to satisfy that inner cowboy (or cowgirl) you remember from your childhood. Practice meditation, take up tai chi... whatever it is that floats your metaphorical boat. Start small if you have to... just as long as you start.

But the learning doesn't stop there. Just as you should exercise your body and spirit, you also need to exercise your mind. Go back to school, take a home study course or just get on the Internet and immerse yourself in a particular subject. Like what? How about quantum physics, a foreign language, medieval history, calculus or astrology? Discover how the greenhouse effect really works or see if you can decipher all the political redtape that makes up our body of government. Go ahead, challenge yourself. And while you're at it, read the news and find out what's going on in the world. The information is out there - all of it. And the more you know, the more involved you're going to feel.

Have you ever traveled outside your home state? Your home town? Now's the time. Map out some road trips and go discover all those well-kept secrets where the air is fresh and the view is amazing. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg on a mega-cruise to get an enjoyable vacation. And you don't have to go around the world to get there.

So, what are you waiting for? Go get your life back!