Fear has a peculiar hold over the human psyche. It often shapes our behaviors, molds our outlooks, and can even limit our potential. An unusual form of fear that is seldom spoken about, but silently impacts our daily lives, is the fear of money. This intriguing concept is explored in detail by the esteemed author Di Tran in his groundbreaking book, “Drop the FEAR and focus on the FAITH.”
At first glance, the concept might appear counterintuitive. Money, after all, is a resource that offers comfort, luxury, and security. Yet, delve deeper, and you begin to understand the subtle anxieties connected with wealth and financial negotiations.
We inhabit a world where negotiation is ingrained in the fabric of our lives, and almost everything has a price tag. We bargain, trade, and negotiate, but as Di Tran rightly observes, “No one wants to say it straight.” We’re often reluctant to openly discuss money, especially outside of professional settings. There’s a deeply-rooted fear that discussions about wealth might lead to a loss of authenticity or might invoke judgments from others. This fear takes various forms, including the dread of dehumanization, fear of being misunderstood, and worry about losing social support.
The fear of dehumanization stems from the common perception that a money-focused individual lacks emotions. The worry of being perceived as “greedy” or “materialistic” discourages many from talking openly about money, creating a delicate balance between maintaining our humanity and pursuing financial success.
Then, there’s the fear of being misunderstood. Conversations about money can become uncomfortable in social settings. Many individuals fear that they might be misjudged or misunderstood based on their financial views or aspirations, which can be misinterpreted as avarice or materialism.
The fear of losing social support also contributes significantly to this complex web of anxieties. Society often discourages open discussions about personal finances, creating a fear of alienating friends, family, or colleagues by being too open or frequent in discussing financial matters.
Lastly, there’s the fear of losing authenticity. There’s an internal struggle, a conflict between our inherent traits or passions and our financial interests, fueled by the perception that money is a necessary evil and discussing it may dilute our genuine selves.
Di Tran, however, doesn’t just identify these fears; he provides an antidote. His solution involves not suppressing or denying these fears, but acknowledging and addressing them, by “dropping the fear” and focusing on faith.
Tran encourages us to accept that life is a series of negotiations and discussing money shouldn’t be considered a taboo. Faith in oneself, in one’s authenticity, and in one’s humanity, even while contemplating financial concerns or goals, is the key to overcoming this fear of money.
Money, as Tran clarifies, is just a tool, and the fear associated with it is a societal construct, which can be deconstructed. It is entirely possible to negotiate, to talk about money, and to have financial aspirations without losing our authenticity, our humanity, or the support of our loved ones.
The fear of money is genuine and widespread, but it doesn’t need to be debilitating. As Tran underscores, recognizing the fear is the initial step in overcoming it. Let’s embrace this recognition, concentrate on our faith, and build a healthy, fear-free relationship with money.
