Money has an image problem. So often, the concept of money is conflated with ‘corruption’ or some sort of ruinous outcome, which partly explains why there can be fear-based energy loaded into our relationship with our finances. That’s a problem because – in case you hadn’t noticed – being able to gather and use money well is a pretty essential skill for survival.

In spiritual terms, money is neither good nor bad – it’s simply a means to an end. With that said, it does carry energy.

One evening many years ago, I was heading out to meet friends for a few drinks when I came across a dead rat on the sidewalk. Instead of being repulsed and continuing on my way, I completely spun out and ran back home, cancelling on my friends. It wasn’t that I was scared of the rat (it didn’t seem to pose much threat, being dead and all), but terrified of the symbolism of it all. At the time, I was newly interested in spirituality and had misinterpreted the rat sighting as A Bad Omen. I was overthinking, overreacting and overstating the importance of almost everything. Sound familiar?

Recently I was listening to a podcast interview with an entrepreneur when they made an offhand comment that stopped me in my tracks – and not in a good way. When asked about what they wish they’d done differently, the entrepreneur said something like: ‘Everything I’ve done has led me to where I am now, so I’m happy I went through all that struggle.’ As much as I can see where they’re coming from, I have a slightly different take on our tendency to sometimes revise history with a glittery lens of positivity.

Let me explain.