In her authoritative book, The Soul of Money, Lynn Twist, the respected Founder and President of the Soul of Money Institute, draws a compelling analogy between money and water. She illustrates how money, like water, can stagnate in savings and investment accounts or flow, enabling you to manifest your intentions and make a difference.

This perspective extends beyond money to encompass our wealth in all its forms, from values to health. Wealth is rooted in the old English word ‘wealthe’, which means ‘well health’, and goes far beyond money.

Indeed, Twist herself has the same idea when she writes: “Money is a current, a carrier, a conduit for our intentions. Money carries the imprimatur of our soul.”

The right and responsibility to make a difference

Twist contrasts two experiences to illustrate this. As a fundraiser for the Hunger Project, she visits the CEO of a large business and is given a pre-printed cheque for $50,000. She understands that the gift is simply a salve for the board’s conscience and has nothing to do with hunger relief.

Later, Twist talks at a fundraiser in Harlem, knowing her audience has little to give to the charity. On concluding her presentation, an older woman, Gertrude, presents her with $50 in notes, telling her, “Money comes through my life like a little trickle. But I want to pass it on in a way that does the most good to the most folks. I see that as my right and responsibility.”

It’s a great example of the Virtuous Circle of Wealth, Impact and Meaning in action. Gertrude uses what little cash she has (but considerable wealth in generosity, values and wisdom) to make a difference. This gives her life meaning, which, in turn, adds to her wealth.

Guilt, shame and generosity in financial intentions

Twist was moved to tears by the generosity of her Harlem audience, which donated over $500 in cash. She subsequently returned the $50,000 cheque to the business.

Some people find it challenging to compile a statement of their annual spending. It surprises me, and I often wonder if it is because they find it difficult to face the unwanted and undesired intentions in the flow of their money and the difference they don’t make.

The virtuous circle of wealth, impact and meaning

Photo attribution

Main image: the author (helping raise £20,000 for charity cycling on the NC500 in Scotland)

Diagram: Project Sophia Ltd c2024

Audio link

https://audio.com/jeremy_deedes/make-a-difference/

Other attributions and references

Twist, Lynne. The Soul of Money: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Life. W. W. Norton & Company, 14 Mar. 2017.

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