Time flies! Here we are entering the summer season which brings us warm weather, gentle breezes, BBQ’s with friends, scents of fragrant flowers, sounds of children playing in the park, and time to slow down and enjoy! It’s also a time to create breathing space in your life and with your money.

How can you bring the energy of summer to your money life? What can you do to relax a little about money? Sark, a local San Francisco author of the book, Prosperity Pie, states, “Money flows toward goodness, and the more fun we can have, the more it will appear. We can have fun sharing money with others in innovative ways. We are much more likely to experience a sense of plenty when we are relaxed.” George Kinder, Certified Financial Planner and author of The Seven Stages of Money Maturity: Understanding the Spirit and Value of Money in Your Life, tells us to bring the spirit of Aloha to our money, a lightness and flow!

So, if you are a little tense about money, try giving a little bit away and see how that makes you feel. See if you can loosen up about money. One way to have fun with money is to surprise someone unexpectedly with a financial act of kindness. Acts of kindness can be little things that carry great energy and can carry you through the day making you sing and feel happy.

In the area where I live, there are many bridges. These bridges cost money, usually between three to five dollars depending which bridge you are driving over. What if you “gifted” the driver behind you their bridge toll? You would be giving to a complete stranger and you know your gift would be unexpected and greatly appreciated. Little acts of kindness go a long way.

I’m sure you’ve heard the wise saying that “money doesn’t make you happy” (the caveat being that survival needs like food, clothing and shelter are handled.) If money doesn’t make you happy, like more of it…what does? Create a gratitude list of all things that make you the happiest and hang it on your refrigerator so you can see it regularly.

Here’s my list:

• a Grande Chai Latté (two pump, non-fat, extra hot)
• walks with my dog
• holding hands with my husband
• hiking with my friends
• getting dirt under my fingernails during a good day in the garden

I wouldn’t trade any of this for more money! What’s on your list?

Another way you can bring lightness to your money life is to play a wonderful game by Robert Kiyosaki, the author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, called CASHFLOW®! One of the goals is to get out of the rat race and be financially independent. If you play this game, it might give you new ideas to apply to your own life. Maybe it can inspire you, and then you can begin daydreaming about how you want money to flow in your own life.

Relax, Dream, Get Inspired and Have Fun With Money!