Twist on money

Went back to the waterfront this afternoon for some solid reading time. Finished The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist and just marveled at its simple, profound message about the connection between money and a fulfilling life.

While I found the anecdotes wonderfully illustrative, Twist's observations in chapter 10 were my favorite part of the book:

"We think we live in the world. We think we live in a set of circumstances, but we don't. We live in our conversation about the world and our conversation about the circumstances. When we're in a conversation about fear and terror, about revenge and anger and retribution, jealousy and envy and comparison, then that is the world we inhabit. If we're in a conversation about possibility, a conversation about gratitude and appreciation for the things in front of us, then that's the world we inhabit."

Yes, yes, yes. I feel I can tell so much about a person based on how they react to life circumstances. And, of course, turning that inward is crucial as well. It has given me pause, as has this poem Twist quotes near the end of the book; its author is Hazrat Inayat Khan.

I asked for strength
and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for wisdom
and God gave me problems to learn to solve.
I asked for prosperity
and God gave me a brain and brawn to work.
I asked for courage
and God gave me dangers to overcome.
I asked for love
and God gave me people to help.
I asked for favours
and God gave me opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted.
I received everything I needed.