I’m Not Broke, I’m Short of Cash: There’s a Difference

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“If we can be peaceful and happy not only we, but everyone, can profit from it.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

I recently discovered the difference between being broke and being short of cash. Coming home after our recent trip to Europe, I thought I was broke. I fell for a scam in processing a travel authorization for the UK that added hundreds of dollars of processing fees. And then there was the day that I had to re-buy the train tickets for a train because we got lost and missed our scheduled one.

So I came home and thought I was broke. However, I have a hard time remembering that. Because I feel rich when:

  • A friend came by and said, “I want to hear about your trip.” And then really listened to the stories my kids and I told her.
  • My mom volunteered to do yard work to get ready for the next round of guests. It happened to rain hard during a thunder and lightning storm while she was working so she came in for a cup of tea and soup and we talked.
  • My almost seven-year-old son kicked a football at the local wading pool and it nearly missed a squirrel which did a hilarious jump. His narrative after the fact made me feel warm from the inside out because of his love for family, “I feel bad for that squirrel. Because I think it comes from a small family. Doesn’t even have cousins.”
  • My almost 11-year-old daughter brushed by me at breakfast and said “I love you, Mom. You are the best Mom.” When I asked why she was compelled to say that right then, she just smiled and shrugged and said, “Because it’s true.”

That’s just a partial list from last week. Just naming these things makes me feel blessed all over again. I learned years ago to never go grocery shopping after meditation class. When I’m filled with the abundance and inner peace that comes from cultivating my connection to God, I forget I have a budget.

And so it is in this case. Since I am self-employed and do contract work, I don’t get paid when I’m traveling. But I’m not broke. I’m just short of cash.

(featured photo from Pexels)

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81 thoughts on “I’m Not Broke, I’m Short of Cash: There’s a Difference”

  9. Agreed, Wynne. There is so much in our daily lives with far greater value than what is in the bank or our wallet. Better yet, those people, pets, wildlife, and nature itself all grow in value when we learn to re-calculate and re-appraise them each and every day.

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  13. “When I’m filled with the abundance and inner peace that comes from cultivating my connection to God, I forget I have a budget.” … beautiful Wynne! … The budget of inner peace from Him is limitless, measured in that abundance relationships not $$, and fostered by your humble gratitude.

    Bless you lady

    Keep Looking Up ^ … His Best is Yet to Come!

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  16. Leave it to an optimist like you to reframe a negative into something more positive! I wish I’d thought of doing this myself years ago. My entire outlook on life would have been completely different:

    I wasn’t unemployed, just short of work.
    I wasn’t single, but short a partner.
    My novel wasn’t languishing half-finished, it was short an ending.
    The Broncos didn’t lose to the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII, they were short a victory.

    Holy cow, this is brilliant.

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  18. You have a beautiful perspective, Wynne, and you really are blessed with a beautiful family, support community and a summer full of memories that have been made and are still being made. 😊 Hope you enjoy your week ahead!

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  28. I haven’t read a blog post like this. Your willingness to reveal something people routinely hide is courageous. But then, you have climbed mountains. Who knows what you will do next, Wynne!

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  32. You are rich and right! Coming home from a trip like that you have all sorts of memories. It is easy to focus on the missteps, but unless you are like Jack Lemon in the ‘Out of Towners’ (yes, it’s an old movie) but you will have far more amazing moments that will remind you of the wonderful time you and your family had. I take all of my photos with my phone and occasionally one will pop up with a reminder I took it. Thank you for sharing. Finish the week strong!

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    1. I agree about the sense of humor!! And thanks for the scam sympathy. It seems easier to fall into them when you are traveling and trying to do things quickly! Sorry to hear it happened to you too!

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