I am fascinated about what I see in our culture these days, changes in our world, in the economy, in the way we interact with each other. . .I could go on and on. In particular, I find myself curious about money and what we think it can or can’t do right now.

I was recently in a local store. I would estimate the ¾ of the shelves were full. The other ¼ was simply bare. A potential customer came through the door as I was browsing. She had something very specific she was seeking. She went right to the empty shelf area. After seeing nothing in that section, she went up to the storeowner and asked where the specific item that normally sits there was. The storeowner explained that the truck had been delayed and even if the truck arrived, there was a question as to whether or not the item would be on the truck. The potential customer almost had a meltdown right in the store. She then said to the storeowner, but I have money. I’ll pay you whatever you want to get this item. The storeowner simply looked at her and said, it doesn’t matter how much money you have. I don’t have this item and I don’t know when I’ll have it again.

Hmm. . .this brings me back to the toilet paper timeframe. Do you remember just a couple years ago, the thousands of people scrambling for toilet paper? At some point, the shelves were bare. It didn’t matter how much money you had. Well, ok maybe you started paying $7.99 for a novelty roll of toilet paper online if you had the means. This, by the way, was happening. Check out novelty toilet paper sales for 2020 in the research data.

We have become so accustomed to getting what we want, when we want it, how we want it. I mean, didn’t Burger King even used to have a slogan—have it your way, at Burger King?

It’s a new day, friends.

You can have all the money in the world, but if there aren’t items, there aren’t items. If the ship didn’t make it to the harbor or if it’s stuck in the harbor or a product never made it off the shipping crates, it doesn’t matter. If there aren’t enough trucks to get supplies delivered, it doesn’t matter if you can pay them once they get there. One of the thing that interests me the most is that I’ve actually witnessed people flashing money in front of counter workers, as if to say, “Here’s the do-re-me, let me have what’s under the counter.” News Flash—there isn’t anything under the counter. This is a situation we are all in and money is not buying us out of this one.

There are several things money can’t buy which I believe are worth putting some attention to. The good news is they are free to have, free to give, and the impact and rippling affect is incredible.

• Love
• JOY
• Kindness
• Respect
• Curiosity
• Listening
• Honor
• Integrity
• Gratitude

I think you get the idea. Maybe instead of waving the green around and demanding that we are somehow entitled more than the next person, we could choose to use this energy into things that are heart, soul, mind, and life giving. I believe the restoration of humanity begins with each one of us. Starting with the items on this list can help get us on the path—not only of healing humanity, but to live with joy.

I’d love to know your thoughts. What are you noticing in the conversations around you right now?