Hiya Pinkies. I wanted to bring up a topic we seem to have completely avoided on Owning Pink- money.

Why have we avoided this like the plague? I’m not sure. It’s as if talking about money is akin to ignoring the big red birthmark on your Aunt Lydia’s face that you can’t help staring at because it’s right in the middle of her cheek. Money is an issue. Let’s face it. Especially in these trying economic times, many of us are struggling- myself included. Do we think that talking about money will lead others to believe we’re not as important/skilled/valuable? Are we afraid we’ll start comparing ourselves to each other? Do we feel like it diminishes our worth? Do we prefer to pretend that we’re all rolling in the dough because we’re all superstars who wear Jimmy Choos and drive Beemers? Are we afraid to admit our vulnerabilities, scared to give voice to our fears and limitations? Are we just avoiding the subject because it’s so scary and painful? Does it seem too unspiritual to discuss in this community of love and understanding? Is it simply too gauche to trouble ourselves with something so material?

Pleaping=Risk

I say let’s lay it on the table, Pinkies. Many of us - especially those of us taking Pleaps (pink leaps of faith), who are risking everything to pursue a dream - struggle financially. We’ve quit our day jobs, dug into our retirement accounts (if we ever had them in the first place), invested money in our dreams, and we’re sitting there… waiting and becoming… preparing for our dream to grow wings and take off. But in the interim… we’re pinching pennies and feeling the squeeze.



The Risk I’m Taking Personally

I speak from experience here. Three years ago, I quit my fancy six-figure full-partner doctor job to Pleap for the first time. I gave up my health insurance, the hefty contribution my company made towards my retirement account, and a guaranteed salary. I sold my San Diego bay-view house, rented, and lived off the income for two years while I wrote a book, did some painting, and brought in almost no money. (My MBA husband - who is the peachiest peach of a guy - has the full-time job of supporting me: a very busy, unpaying job in and of itself.) Then, inspired to launch Owning Pink, I borrowed money from my mother to pay the salaries of five people on the Owning Pink team (“Mom, where’s the checkbook?”)

At the same time, I started practicing medicine again - which required buying tens of thousands of dollars of medical equipment. But I could only work one day per week, because I was so busy building Owning Pink and writing my next book that I didn’t have time to see more patients. I’m here to tell you that not every doctor out there rakes in the cash. And now I’m leaving my current medical practice to launch the Owning Pink Wellness Center, which requires - yet again - investment in the dream. And so we are liquidating our retirement account to pay for my new practice and to invest in allowing Owning Pink to grow in a big way. Owning Pink is expanding to hold the space for all of you, to meet the needs you’ve asked us to meet, to accommodate the growing number of Pinkies, and to encourage each of you to take the next steps in your lives as we walk the Pink path together. We’ll be launching workshops nationally, upping the ante for how you can transform your life, giving voice to even more coaches and healers within our community, improving the opportunities for you Pinkies to be heard and connected, and making the site more user-friendly so you can find just the inspiration you need right when you want it. To make this happen, of course, requires MONEY. Yup, there’s that nasty word again. Ah yes, it’s true. It’s money I don’t have. But I’m not letting this stop me. Because I believe in Owning Pink. I believe in what we’ve co-created. I believe in us.

Let’s Talk about Money, Pinkies!

Why am I telling you all this? Didn’t my mother teach me it’s not polite to talk about money? Yes, she did (sorry, Mom!) Don’t I want to portray an image of financial success so all of you think I’m rolling in moo-lah, so I delude you into believing I’ve got it all? Uh, no. That’s not what Owning Pink is about at all. It’s about owning the truth, right? The truth is that this is where I am right now. And chances are, many of you are right there with me.

I Believe It’s Worth It

The reason I’m telling you all this is because, in spite of the financial challenges in my family’s life right now, I believe in me. I believe that following your dreams pays off in the long run and that you can’t let fear run your life. I believe that abundance follows those courageous enough to risk everything for the life they long to live. I trust that the Universe doesn’t challenge us with situations we can’t handle. I have faith in the process, and if my process means I need to cut back on luxuries, borrow money, and live smaller for a while, so be it. I’m game. And I’m not scared. I believe abundance will follow.

Am I delusional? Maybe. I try not to think too much about it, because when I think, the gremlins of fear, self-doubt, and insecurity weasel their way into my consciousness. But when I feel - well, I feel two things at once. Part of me feels afraid, but the other part - the deep voice that has led me through my fantastic life to date - is just so excited, and completely certain that all of my trust, financial investment, hard work, dedication, and courage will pay off … not just in monetary gain, but in inner peace (which is the ultimate definition of success, isn’t it?)



Let’s Own Abundance Together

So I’d like to invite you to rally with me. Times are tough - yes. But we need not be limited by beliefs that tell us we can’t take risk, that we can’t afford our dreams, that it’s not worth investing in ourselves. If thoughts become things, then why would we want to muddy our minds with such negative thinking? Personally, I believe that sometimes the Universe pushes us all the way to the edge of our comfort zone - and then a little beyond - just to make sure we’re seriously committed to our dreams and really ready deep down to live them. If we’re not ready, we’re not ready and that’s okay. (Don’t Pleap if you’re not really ready!) Confused about how to know it’s Pleaping time? Listen deep inside and if the answer is, “go for it,” then don’t look back. If it didn’t require this level of introspection and facing our fears, we wouldn’t be called to declare our level of commitment. But when everything is on the line, then you’re either in or you’re out. It’s not a Pleap if you don’t jump.

Are You In?

Me - I’m in. All the way. Balls (or ovaries) out. Risking everything. Trusting the process. Believing in myself. Pleaping like mad. I’m free falling (or to steal Joy’s oh-so-apt term “Face planting”- the line between the two is fine indeed). It’s not that I don’t feel fear. It’s that I’ve decided not to let fear rule my decisions. Call me crazy…or call me a visionary. I don’t care. Either way, I’m in. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!

What about you, Pinkies? Are you in?

A few affirmations you might repeat to yourself often:

1. I create abundance for myself and my family.
2. I have everything I need to finance my life.
3. Money follows me as I pursue my dreams.
4. My life overflows with money so I can spread the wealth.
5. And one from a dear Pinkie: I am debt free and have all the money I need to support my family and the things we value (after which I imagine our safe home, kids in college, great vacations and giving money to good causes)

What affirmations do you use, Pinkies? Are you ready to let go of your financial fears and invest in YOU?

Inviting you to hold my hand while we Pleap together,
Lissa

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