True You, True Wealth! What does True Wealth mean to you?

When I was active as the Money Whisperer, my mission was to help my clients build better relationship with their money. Of course, we focussed on the money, but it was never about finances alone. After all, we are so much more than a fistful of money.

Wealth is a much more interesting concept. It goes way beyond money.
It is a state of mind in which you can be yourself, and stay true to who you are, and to where you are at in your process, no matter what challenges come your way. It is the result of being in your authentic zone and making decisions based on your own inner voice and mind. True wealth comes from being one with your soul.

The 21st century has already thrown us a series of challenges that rocked the world and will, most likely, continue to do so. The outside forces that play big roles in our direct environment without leaving us much power are still active. How can we protect ourselves against the ups and downs, and the constant negativity around us? How dare we thrive and aim for more than mere survival?

Our accomplishments will depend on how we cope with these challenges, and that depends on what inner strengths we bring to the table when the pressure is on. That strength comes from the bond with our authentic Self, from having a Healthy Sense of ourselves.

It has nothing to do with that compulsive drive to compete with the Joneses, or with wanting to be the mirror image of what your parents want you to be. No, a Healthy Sense of Self is about the bond with the true You, in all your originality, with all your strengths and weaknesses, your highs and lows, your failures and successes, and without any hiding places.

Building financial security is building that bond, and strengthening the relationship with yourself takes time and effort. And you know what? It is just as valuable if not more so.

My own experience with having to rely on my Sense of Self took place after my children graduated from university and entered the workforce. Only then I realized I had not given enough thought to the third stage in my life. I had no notion of who I was anymore, without the daily task of parenting. All those years I had ignored or pushed away all the other parts of me besides motherhood, my holistic Me.

The gap was enormous; the lack of an identity felt like a black hole. Where to start to find back, to repair, to rebuild that true sense of Me? I had some difficult choices to make.

My good friend, Antoinetta Vogels, has developed an incredible healing method based on the concept of a Healthy Sense of Self. She has published books and posted blogs on the importance of paying attention to the Self; to not neglecting or postponing the work that needs to be done. She is spot-on and very timely. If only I had known earlier.

I regret all the lost time and all the opportunities I have encountered to make small improvements to my inner development. I wish I had kept better track of and given voice to my inner Self.

I would never have become the person I am today without that blatantly honest soul-searching and restoring my awareness of who I am. Without it I might have never restored my powers as a person in the third stage of life.

I recommend reading this book, Healthy Sense of Self, the Secret of Being Your Best Self and applying the theory to where you are at in your life at this very moment. It may not sound like a lot of fun, but are you ready for the alternative?

Check also out Antoinetta’s other book A Guided Journal to a Healthy Sense of Self for support. It is a fun and relaxed way to develop your own opinion, dealing with the world.

It is never too late, though. It’s just more work if you ignore or postpone the process.

Guest Blogger: Marielle Higler, The Money Whisperer