At some point, we’ve all felt that pang of fear when it seems like something valuable is being taken from us. Maybe it was money slipping away in an unexpected way, or a person we thought we could trust betraying us. There’s a natural instinct to tighten our grip, to protect what we believe is ours. But is it really gone, or are we just misunderstanding the way life flows?
A New Way to Look at Money and Loss
Think about money for a moment. It’s easy to see it as a precious resource that needs guarding. After all, we work hard to earn it. But take a step back: where did this money come from, originally? It might have been a paycheck, an inheritance, or even a lottery win. But before that? The paper used for bills was once part of a tree. The energy used to create digital money comes from the earth’s resources.
Money, in essence, is part of a larger cycle, moving from one place to another, through different hands, transforming along the way. So, if it flows away from us, has it really been taken? Or is it simply moving, like water, to another place? When we think about it this way, the fear of being “cheated” or “tricked” starts to dissolve. It’s not a matter of someone taking something away; it’s the natural ebb and flow of life.
Why the Fear Isn’t Real
When you hold tightly to something, believing it must remain with you forever, you create tension. This is where the fear comes from—the idea that if something leaves your life, you’ve lost it forever. But when you realize that everything, including money, relationships, and opportunities, are part of a larger flow, the tension eases.
What if you trusted that things will come and go, but you will always have enough? Imagine the weight that would lift from your shoulders. This doesn’t mean being careless or naïve, but rather allowing yourself to experience the freedom that comes from trusting life’s cycles.
Life as a River: Letting Go and Flowing With It
There’s a story about a river that flows through different landscapes, feeding fields, forests, and cities along its way. Some see the river as a threat, fearing floods or droughts. Others see it as a source of life, welcoming its arrival and respecting its departure. The river doesn’t stop moving, and neither does life.
When we fight the flow, we create suffering. But when we understand that things like money are just part of that current, moving in and out of our lives, we can let go of the fear. The key is to trust that the river will always flow, and that abundance, in many forms, will always come.
How Would You Live If You Trusted the Flow?
Let’s imagine a world where everyone understood this feeling. In such a world, people wouldn’t panic when money left their hands. Instead, they would trust that something else would flow back, maybe not immediately, but inevitably. There would be less fear of being tricked or cheated, and more openness to sharing and circulating resources. People would invest in each other, knowing that what they give will eventually return, in some form or another.
In this world, relationships would be richer, too. Instead of seeing others as competitors or threats, we would recognize that we’re all part of the same interconnected system. Your success is tied to mine, just as mine is tied to yours. It’s all part of the same body of water, flowing through different parts of the landscape.
Helping Others Experience the Flow
If you’ve ever tried to explain this idea to someone who’s stuck in the fear of loss, you know how difficult it can be. But the best way to help others isn’t to preach or push. Instead, gently guide them to notice how life already flows in their own experiences. Start with small things: the way opportunities, relationships, and even money have come and gone in their lives. Encourage them to reflect on how things worked out, even when they thought they wouldn’t.
As they begin to see the natural rhythm, they’ll start to release the fear. It may take time, but eventually, they’ll begin to trust the flow themselves. And that’s when the fear will truly dissolve—because they’ll realize it was never about losing anything. It was always about understanding the bigger picture.
What Happens When the Fear is Gone?
When the fear of being tricked or cheated disappears, what remains is a sense of freedom. You no longer feel the need to hold on tightly or control every outcome. You can breathe easier, trust more, and enjoy life as it unfolds. You become more generous, not just with money, but with time, love, and opportunities.
In this state, you’re not living in fear of what might be taken from you; you’re living in anticipation of what might come next. And in that space, everything opens up.
