GlobalGrind’s financial coach Lynn Richardson (above left) had a candid conversation with Dr. Iyanla Vanzant, the multi-million dollar earning best-selling author, the internationally renowned motivational speaker, and the “original,” pre-Dr. Phil, relationship expert featured on Oprah, and here’s what she had to say.
Global Grind: Dr. Vanzant, you’ve been through a lot — being on Oprah, million dollar book deals, losing your money, etc. and you are STILL here! What do you say to the average person who doesn’t have enough money to make ends meet?
Iyanla: If money is the only problem, then you don’t have a problem. If you got a money problem, you better look to forgiveness. If you got a money problem, look to your character. If you got a money problem, look to your integrity. If you got a money problem, look to where you’re not being accountable, in integrity; be responsible for what you do with your mouth. If you got a money problem, I don’t care what it is, look to the principles that govern the universe.
Now it doesn’t mean that you will have wealth of money in your bank account, but it does mean that you will not starve.
I went to South Africa with 14 cents in my pocket. I ate on the airplane… I went all over South Africa with 14 cents in my pocket. I came back with a check, but I didn’t go there with any money! We have many, many, wants, but our needs are always provided.
Somebody said, a wealthy man is not one with much money, it’s one with few wants. A lot of the things that we struggle to get money for are not things that we need, but things that we want. Things that we want, in order to attract them to us, we need a vision. You need a vision, an intention, and be responsible with your mouth, and integrity with what you do, and have your character in alignment with what is good and what is honorable, what is kind, what is loving. Forgive somebody. Stop being pissed off at your baby’s momma, or your baby’s daddy. Do something good for somebody, instead worrying about what somebody ain’t doing for you. Open your mouth and say good morning, instead of “hey dog” … “yo nigga” … “that bitch” … don’t speak like that.
If money is the only problem, there is no problem. It’s pathology that the individual is responsible for cleaning up. Do the right thing even when nobody’s listening. What you think, what you say, what you feel, and what you do are all in alignment. And when you clean that stuff up, the money will flow. And if it doesn’t flow then divine angels cleverly disguised as human beings will show up to facilitate your vision.
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Coach Lynn’s Money Me$$age
If things are really tight, eliminate everything that you can do without. Trade your cable bill in for time at the library. Trade your coffee habit in for a can of Foldgers and add your own French Vanilla Cream. Trade those ridiculous bank/nsf fees in for a Rushcard. Trade your elementary school tuition bill in for public education and be present so the teachers will have no choice but to educate your children.
If you are in over your head, consider bankruptcy BEFORE you lose your valuable assets like your pension and savings. Those who file bankruptcy are better off than those who carry around bad debt, judgments and collections year after year. You can buy a home three years after a Chapter 7 is discharged and you can get a mortgage WHILE you are in a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy repayment as long as you have made your payments on time for a year and you have no new debt.
