This week's monday morning musing is on releasing all obligations, in other words, doing everything with grace, even paying taxes. Here is a part of a post I wrote years ago on taxes, my view. It has been one of my most popular posts and I have found I have shared this link with students and coaching clients more than any other. I thought it might be poignant again as we prepare our taxes for this year...
I am grateful for paying taxes. I may not have had a lot of money to pay in taxes over the years to experience the side of the angst people feel when they have much more to pay, but there have been times when the taxes I paid made meeting rent/mortgage difficult for me. And even in those months I was grateful to pay taxes. I am self-employed so I pay more taxes than those employed by others. I am also often paid in cash and I always report every penny.
I know our government is far from perfect and it can be a source of great frustration for us all. I also know I can only affect what I can affect and I need to let the rest go. My work is not running for office so I can change it all. I will vote and let my opinion known. I will occasionally write a letter and then I will do my work where I am meant to be, expending my love and energy in my center of influence. I cannot and will not allow frustration about the government affect my own heart.
I am so incredibly grateful to live in this country. I am grateful to be free, to live where my children can roam the streets without being shot at, where education is free, women have rights, we have religious freedom, we have roads that are taken care of, good medical care, to not have to serve in the armed forces, and to have people who are willing to serve for me to protect my said rights. My list goes on. I have always been willing to pay for my part to be here. I like to think that that gratitude will continue when I am able to pay more and I will be grateful I can pay more so that others who will struggle to pay their taxes and meet their mortgage won’t have to pay as much.
Sometime we simply need a shift in our own paradigm, the way we think of things. Here is mine. May it help you as well.
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