I’d just graduated from college and was sharing a NYC cab ride with two parents and their elementary school child. Somehow the topic became “What would you do if you were rich?”
The nine year-old could literally only focus on candy. How much candy she would buy for herself. What kind of candy. How she’d get candy for her friends, etc. In retrospect, she must have been very seriously sugar-addicted (or perhaps deprived).
The really strange thing though was that the Mom immediately confessed that the big change for her if she were rich, would be that she would always have fresh flowers in the house.
In a way, that’s a very sweet wish…but here’s the strange thing: having flowers in the house is super-attainable, especially given that both parents were not only successful adults with thriving careers but also heirs to significant family fortunes.
At the time, I felt it impolite to point out those obvious facts but still this moment has always haunted me.
In my more tightly budgeted life, I often think of it when buying flowers for my home.
The batch here at Trader Joe’s cost exactly $7.98 and since I was doing a large shop I hesitated for a moment before putting them in my cart.
They are entirely impractical–-a cynic might say they add “nothing” but beauty––but in the end, that’s kinda everything.
Most importantly, they rest on the entrance table you see when you enter my apartment and it’s such a great reminder, no matter what my bank statement says each month, of my true state of wealth.
Somehow Mrs XYZ did know that she could instantly and easily fulfill her wealth fantasy for under $10 a week.
I suppose she could have thought that flowers only came from florists and that she would need multiple $200 arrangements every week for each room in their apartment. But even so, she probably could have swung $50,000 a year on bouquets without it denting her funds.
More immediately, had she never spotted a bunch of tulips at Dean & Deluca (or any deli) and realized they could be purchased for $5.99?
No doubt this was simply an old story in her mind, that in a family of zillionaires she was the poor relation who could never have what she wanted.
Especially as I launch my HEAL YOUR MONEY STORY course with a FREE telecall this Tuesday, June 7th (SIGN UP HERE) I’m reminded of how distorted our perspectives can be.
To quote Milton: “The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven,” or in this case, no matter what your ultimate bank balance, a $7.98 bouquet of flowers can be proof of your poverty or a demonstration of your vast wealth.
More and more I realize that the choice really is up to us. as individuals.
Please join us for Tuesday’s call HERE to learn more about yoga and money and healing our stories.
2 Responses
Love it! Great writing and uplifting. I will be hitting TJ’s this week…I just saw they also have peonies, my favorite.
Also, this reminds me of the Cheryl Strayed qu0te: “Put yourself in the way of beauty.”
Hi to Edward, has been too long!! Glad you are well. I’m involved in consuming work project , and not home much which has left my place a tad neglected. Upon arriving home this week, my lawn , well over due for manucure, was over grown with beautiful wild flowers. Decided to pick bunches, prior to mowing them down. Having a huge vase of; purple clover, daisy, and devils paintbrush, am astounded at their beauty as vase flowers, and totally Free!! Abundance of this beauty, can be as close as the side of the road, it’s all perspective. Thanks for the insights… you’re Awesome Edward!!!