Self-Esteem Is the Cause of Wealth — Not the Result of It

Many people have concerns about money. In fact, most people who turn to financial freedom courses do so because their bank accounts are empty or they’re living from paycheque to paycheque with very little left over with which to enjoy life. So naturally, the most frequently asked questions are: “How do I become prosperous?”, or “How do I get more money?”

The first thing to understand is that prosperity is not something we get; it’s something we have inside. It’s a state of mind, an attitude. It’s that state of consciousness that unfolds from within. Poverty, the opposite of prosperity, is also a state of mind. It’s a belief in lack and limitation.

The startling fact is that we’re already as prosperous as we can ever be. What we need to do is to learn how to experience the forms prosperity takes, one of which is money.

There are many misconceptions about prosperity. For example, some people think prosperity is measured by the number of ‘things’ they have, and that includes having money in the bank, houses, cars, etc. But why do they continue to accumulate things they think will make them feel different but seldom do? Why do they continue to look for ways and means to feel fulfilled?

Maybe they’re trying to find themselves, their true self. In other words, every acquisition they make, everything they get and everything they try to bring into their lives is a substitute for something.

As we’ve discussed earlier, the essence of each of us is what we call our true self. If this true self is ignored then we experience separation and in separation we always try to find a band-aid solution -- something that will fix things, something that will overcome our feelings of lack or inadequacy.

For some people the whole process becomes a vicious cycle; they try to overcome their feelings of low self-esteem by buying, buying and buying. This compounds as debt and they feel worse and then buy more to try and make themselves feel better.

There’s only one way these feelings of inadequacy can be overcome and that’s by going back to basics and reminding ourselves of the truth of who we are. Certainly such feelings don’t bring us wealth. In fact what is wealth?

"Our self-esteem is the cause of our wealth; it's not the other way around."

That question takes us to the bottom of what financial freedom is all about and has the answer to the question that so many people ask, “Why don’t I seem to be able to attract more money into my life?”

The answer is self-esteem. Self-esteem is the cause of our wealth. First and foremost it’s the relationship that we have with ourselves that determines the success or failure of the relationship we have with money.

I know that’s not what many people expect to hear, or particularly want to hear. I also know that it’s not a particularly earth-shattering idea but let’s look at this idea in more detail.

If we think that the amount of money we have validates our financial worth then we’ll fall into the trap of thinking that more money will make us feel happier.

No! Our self-esteem is the cause of our wealth; it’s not the other way around.

This isn’t about denying real-world circumstances — job loss, debt, or a difficult economy are genuine and often outside our immediate control, and practical steps like budgeting, debt strategy, or a change of career still matter. What’s being pointed to here is something underneath those circumstances: the relationship we have with ourselves, which shapes how we meet and move through whatever we’re facing.

The secret to establishing permanent financial freedom is to realise that true wealth is not an amount. It’s a feeling, an attitude toward life. It’s something we radiate from within, an indicator of what we think about ourselves. It’s that inner knowing that says, “I am worthy”. The more positive we feel about ourselves the more wealth we’ll receive as a by-product of those feelings.

And so to create greater wealth we need to get rid of the blocks within us and that includes forgiving ourselves and others for anything that may need to be forgiven. We need to change our consciousness so that it’s in alignment with our highest possible concept of self-worth.

Freedom is the feeling that nothing, absolutely nothing, is blocking the flow of having what we want, when we want, without even thinking about it. Let’s face it, while we’re thinking about money it’s a sure sign that we don’t have it and a feeling of lack, or need, is only going to produce more ‘need’ and ‘lack’.

The secret to living a prosperous life is to first seek that which is within -- the true self. We then find that everything required to lead a peaceful and harmonious life comes to us. It boils down to living from within to the outside, rather than from the outside trying to satisfy the within.

‘Your fortune begins with you’ is a well-known saying. Our fortune begins with us because it’s our thinking, our feeling, the state of our consciousness which attracts. And so our prosperity, or lack of it, is a direct result of what we think and feel.

The Law of Life is always in operation. Whatever we put out we get back. There is only one way to change things and that is by changing our thoughts. It’s not just a matter of saying a few affirmations or thinking of having money in our pockets. It doesn’t work like that.

The relationship we have with money is a reflection of the relationship we have with ourselves. If we love, respect and appreciate ourselves we’ll have a meaningful and good relationship with money.

Unfortunately many people say, “When I have money, I’ll be happy” (or successful or prosperous). In other words they believe that getting something will turn them into a better, or richer, or happier person.
That isn’t how it works! That is the basis of financial problems. Such people are trying to ‘get’ which means taking something they haven’t built the consciousness for.

When we know that we can create, we don’t look around to see where money is coming from; we know it’s coming to us by coming through us. When we understand and embody this very fundamental Law of Prosperity we will never again experience lack.

Each of us is an individualised expression of the creative process. Each of us is a creative centre within the limitless universe. Each of us is the gateway to the experience of unlimited prosperity. All we have to do is turn our attention away from trying to ‘get’, to giving from our indwelling true self to start the circulation going.

People talk a lot about their desire for financial freedom. Freedom means taking responsibility for our actions, responsibility for what takes place, and responsibility for our finances. When we take responsibility we bring order out of chaos and in some strange way, when we do that, we experience not only more money but real peace of mind as well as a greater sense of freedom.

What we take responsibility for we can change but how often do we blame other people or things instead of taking responsibility? We must remember that if we fail to take responsibility someone else will and they won’t necessarily have our best interests at heart.

Taking responsibility is taking control which means managing a situation. The way we manage money is the way we manage everything else in our lives. On this note, how is your home? Do you always know where everything is? Do you keep stuff or circulate it? When was the last time you cleaned out drawers, cupboards or garages to make room for the new?

"Freedom is the feeling that nothing, absolutely nothing, is blocking the flow of having what we want, when we want, without even thinking about it."

It’s our attitudes that lead to freedom and if we’re caught up in blaming someone or something else then we’re avoiding taking responsibility. We need to learn to prepare for more, to be open to receiving a greater abundance of good in all its forms including money.

When we plant something in the ground we take time first to prepare the soil and we do the same thing in preparing the way for greater abundance in our lives. We take responsibility for things, we take steps to ensure greater order and balance in our affairs, and we look at our attitudes.

Here’s one more thing to take into consideration before we leave this matter of prosperity: think before you say, “No”.

If someone invites you for lunch or dinner don’t say, “No” and deny their good because you think they can’t afford it. If someone gives you something that you don’t particularly like accept it and give it to someone else. Always keep the Law of Circulation flowing!

Don’t let blockages get in the way; that’s why it’s important to periodically clean out cupboards and drawers and garages. If stuff is piling up you’ll probably find that your financial flow is stagnant. So give the unused stuff away. Sell or throw away what is no longer needed and be open to receiving new things, including money.

There is only one way in which we can achieve prosperity and that is by creating the condition in mind that makes the result inevitable. Prosperity is a feeling.

First, find a quiet place where you can quieten your mind. Let go of any worry or concern, and let yourself become more and more peaceful.

When you’re centred, slowly read the following and then spend time meditating on the words.

‘Knowing who I am, that I am a unique individualisation of Life, I know I am always free to choose. And in this knowing I now choose increased prosperity and financial freedom for myself. I choose abundant good in every area of my life.

‘Knowing that my believing word is acted upon by a power greater than I am I experience peace and joy and an inner tranquillity in my total acceptance. I have talents and abilities which are sought after and I know that I receive substantial remuneration for them. I attract people into my life whom I can help and who can help me.

‘I am open and receptive to my good. All channels are now open. All doors are now open. There is no blockage to the realisation and acceptance of increased prosperity in my life. I’m expecting prosperity through unlimited channels, through expected and unexpected avenues. It overflows in my life and I circulate it freely and joyfully.

‘I know that I’m always guided into right action and that I’m continually and abundantly supplied with an avalanche of rich ideas and an abundance of money for every activity in my life.

‘I am centred in the consciousness of having and so I complete the Law of Circulation by giving of my good. I give joyfully without strain, stress, fear or anger. I give freely of my abundance.

‘I give out goodness, peace, joy, compassion, consideration and love and know that my giving returns to me in great avalanches of prosperity.

‘I expect and accept my good. I expect and accept financial freedom. I expect and accept permanent financial supply right now.

‘I’m so grateful for my good. I’m so grateful for my financial wellbeing. I’m so grateful for the money I have to share and spare.

‘I release these words knowing that life does not happen to me but that it happens through me. I’m so grateful for knowing this truth.

And so it is’.