When I lived in Germany from 1985 to 1989, I observed (with great awe) the epitome of efficiency from my German neighbors and friends. While I was always running out on Saturday mornings just before the local shops closed at noon for the rest of the weekend, my friend across the street would have already been to the market, cooked a hot lunch, cleaned her house, and swept the front stoop. She would cluck her tongue at me, head shaking, as I jogged down the cobblestone street with my basket bouncing on my arm.
I suppose “efficiency” wasn’t culturally coveted where I grew up. Being Southern, it was frowned upon to be in a rush. Moseying along was much more acceptable.
My dad had a saying that promulgated how acceptable “moseying” was. I often recall him declaring with a chuckle, “I’m always a day late and a dollar short!” Where I grew up that saying was certainly common, and perhaps even expected. As a child it never occurred to me to imagine what it would be like to be on time and have more money than needed. Needless to say my dad’s belief was programmed into my psyche as a little girl, and stayed with me long into my adulthood until I finally began to reprogram my thinking.
Reprogrammed Efficiency
Being habitually late did not serve me well when I was living in Germany, where lack of punctuality was considered rude, American, and socially unacceptable. Fear of being culturally uncouth kicked my inner clock into gear. Long after leaving Germany and returning to the U.S., I remain a stickler for punctuality.
Being timely also has other implications, such as being efficient in order to meet deadlines. Consider, for example, all the things I had planned to have accomplished before the end of June. Several books were to have been published; trees downed, chopped, and split to season in time for winter; roof repair. None of this is done yet. Day short, week short, month short. This is when I take a deep inhale and know that, while it is not done in the time I would have liked, it will be done in perfect time.
[Tweet "I absolutely believe the #universe knows better than I when it is the #perfect #time."]
My job is to identify what needs to be done and make my best effort to accomplish the task in the right time (my time). If it doesn’t get done in right time, then I know the universe is stepping in to ensure perfect time. I’m not about to argue with that!
Reprogramming my beliefs about money took more time and courage.
I’ve come to understand the less connected I feel to money, the easier it is to claim. In fact, I really don’t think about money nor do I allow myself to fret over it. When I want something, I close my eyes and imagine money flowing in like the tide spilling onto the shore. I imagine having more money in the bank than I realized. I see myself joyfully releasing money to others as easily as I see it coming to me.
When I do this, doors open. I get an unexpected teaching opportunity or a new coaching client. I sell more books than expected. Or I get a refund check for a bill that I somehow managed to pay twice! It’s crazy how this game works!
Attitude of Gratitude
I don’t blame my dad for teaching me his limiting beliefs. He didn’t realize what he was doing. Instead, I’m grateful for the opportunity to identify the beliefs that didn’t serve me so I could reprogram my inner dialog.
My adult programming has taken time to code, test, and upgrade. As I continue to evolve mentally, emotionally, and spiritually I expect future program updates. While my dad may have been satisfied living a day late and a dollar short, I’ve decided to live abundantly and in perfect time. Just call me an enlightened Southern Belle.
Image courtesy of Jared Rodriguez / Truthout at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
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