When life gives you bills,

Hello, Gorgeous,

If you're living in Belgium, or anywhere on this planet right now, you might be living some interesting times. The grey skies, cold weather and the rain are not helping a cheering mood.

However... when life gives you paper bills, make planes and origami swans!

My husband announced the arrival of the yearly price correction gas and electricity bill. We observed one minute of silence, before declaring 'now, that's interesting!' He poured some coffee and started thinking. His head was so loud that I got dizzy.

See, between the 2 of us, he's the brainy, I'm the fun one. No bias here, right? And in moments like that, when we felt the rug being pulled from under the feet, there's something else required than brains and fun. They will have to work together.

I'm not dellusional. When you have 2 weeks notice to pay a €2000 bill for gas, after having invested in a performant device one year before, our jaw dropped and we asked at the same time: how do people deal with it? We didn't get any answer, obviously, so if you have tips, we're happy to hear them. We are rarely concerned with other people as we know people have choices. Unique to them.

In the meantime this is what we did and it worked to ease the initial shock.

1. We looked at each other and we stayed with the thought. What did that bill mean to us? What hit us harder? What were the thoughts that accompanied the news of the bill? How many people were thinking about the same thing? So this first reaction, was truly ours? 'Cause I imagine that 90% of the households in Belgium held their breath when they read the number on that nicely folded piece of paper. And probably 99% had a contracted reaction to it, going into 'this is outrageous, this is impossible, this is unacceptable' launching spears of deadly thoughts towards all those behind the scenes. What energies do you choose to tap in?

2. We took a few deep breaths and asked: How did that make us feel? Are we expanded or did we just sunk into the Earth hoping to go get the gas ourselves? Basically we froze. Then we scratched our heads and then we asked: So how does this get any better than this? Is there anything we can do about it?

3. Then we switched to gratitude: Imagine we hadn't changed the istallation, now that would have been truly interesting! Having a high gas bill is an indication that we live in a pretty big house, that there is comfort that comes with it, that there are also responsibilities attached to it. Can we lower the sum? No. Can we do anything about the payment? Yes. Do we have a clearer view on where provisions have to be made? Yes. Grateful for having each other, for the clarity, for the good laughter.

4. Our oldest son came to the room, surprised by the loud laughter. He saw the graphic of consumption and wanted to brainstorm for a solution. Now, that's something we had fun with: from brewing coffee in the shed in a pot on a camp fire, to moving to Africa altogether and opend a candlight business, to farming sheep and designing new underwear... you name it...

5. And... Does a bill say anything about us, who we are as people? What judgements have come up to the surface, and where do they become real and true for us? This is where we poured some more coffee. The tendency is to go down the rabbit hole. But you are not a trend and you are not a victim of your circumstances. I know I am not. What can you recognize about yourself that would help flip the coin of disaster (financial, personal, emotional) to gratitude?

6. If paying a high bill is a reason for major stress maybe, just maybe it's time to start educating yourself more about money. And I'm not saying: start saving for rainy days, neither cut off costs and tighten the belt, though they might be required. I am talking about becoming present and educating yourself on financial instruments. Much of the 'freezing' derives from: 'Oh, my goodness, I'm so stupid when it comes to money, how could I have not seen that?' No, you are not stupid. Maybe it's now the time to get ahead of the game and ask for clarity with what you know and what else you would like to know.

7. Money is energy. You are energy. You are money. Feel it, sense it, allow yourself to take distance and expand and tap into the joy that life is beyond bills and financial obligations. Relax, as much as you can, the Universe has your back, but it will not show you any other way if you're stubbornly judging yourself and the situation, contracting into finding a solution for what you decided is a problem. Relax...

8. When money gives you paper bills, fold them with appreciation and make airplanes and origami! Just kidding!

If you're looking for a place to start, here's my top 5 books that would shift your perception and advance your money education:

1. Ken Honda - Happy Money

2. Ken Honda - Maro up!

3. Steven and Chutisa Bowman - Prosperity Consciousness

4. Gary Douglas - Right Riches for You

5. Rosamund Zander - The Art of Possibility