“I am clear about what I intend to contribute to the world, and what I will demand from the universe in return. It is a fair exchange.”

Everyone wants money. It’s not even an issue of greed or lust, but more of utility. Even if you don’t directly earn money you want what money can get for you. Food, clothing, shelter–the basics! But there’s more to money than mere sustenance.

Money is a value exchange. It is simply a means to confer value on one’s contribution to the world. Those who deliver extreme value to the world inevitably receive extreme wealth. Those who confer little value, little wealth. This is a hard statement to accept. Those who say they want wealth to come to them are errant unless they combine their intention with some great gift they can share with the world. It might be knowledge, or invention, or goods or services–but it must bring value!

When you ask your employer for a raise have you first assessed what additional value you’re willing to contribute to the company?

When you ask your significant other for more (of whatever) what do YOU bring to the party?

When we ask for greater provision, have we first considered what our greater works would be? I’m not speaking of the basics here now, but that of wealth. The universe is abundance already and your mere provision is there for the taking, but to transcend the basics and move into higher levels of wealth (spiritual, financial, social) what are we willing to transact?

There is no such thing as something from nothing. Substance must be traded for substance. It is the Law of Compensation. Much of our complaining and whining comes down to getting real about our own commitment to contribute. The world will pay us for value once that value is delivered in a way that meets a need. Bill Gates has met a need that the world didn’t even know it had until the late 80’s–hence there are very few people in history who have proportionately earned the level of wealth he has earned. Oprah Winfrey has met a need that the networks didn’t see coming, and her wealth reflects her leadership and contribution to women’s issues worldwide. Those are instances of extreme wealth, but what about you and I?

In my coaching I often find myself reminding people that they deserve value for their contribution. That they should understand the value of their services and charge accordingly. Conversely, consumers value products more when the price tag goes up. Remember Grey Poupon mustard?  It was one of the first non-traditional mustards to hit the American market. No one thought it was going to amount to anything. But they packaged it in a small glass jar about half the size of it’s competition, and charged thrice as much for a little white wine and horseradish stirred in, and after a run of commercials with a limousine window rolling down with one rich guy asking another “do you have any Grey Poupon?” sales went through the roof. People paid three times as much for half the product. Did they trick the public? NO! They created value.

How might you add value to your life and thereby your contribution to your world? What bliss have you talked yourself out of following? What joy have you denied yourself and the world through suppression? What answers have you withheld from the planet? What should the universe pay you for your service to it? Have you demanded enough for what you provide? Too much?

Right now, imagine a dollar amount that would be more than what you need annually to operate your life in an abundant manner. I mean really go for it…. forget paying bills, let’s get into having an emergency savings fund, long term savings, retirement, college funds for your kids, charity…then add 30% on top of that. How would that feel? How would you think about your life? How would you respond to other people’s needs? How would you feel about yourself? What would you do with your time? Is it $100,000? $250,000??? $1,000,000??? Or is it even a lower number–nothing wrong with that at all!

Now…what are you willing to DO to have those feelings every day…for the rest of your life. THAT’s your contribution. When you find that great exchange, providence will surround you with the people, the opportunities and the tools to make it so. Abundance is different for each of us. But for each of us, it is always going to be a fair exchange.