Happy Money

According to Ken Honda in his book “Happy Money: The Japanese Art of Making Peace with Your Money,” “Happy Money” is money that is given and received with a sense of joy, gratitude, and goodwill.

In Honda’s view, the energy with which money is circulated has significant implications for our financial and emotional well-being. When money is given, spent, received, or saved with positive feelings such as love, care, and gratitude, it becomes “Happy Money.”

For example, money spent on a gift given out of love, wages paid to an employee who is valued and respected, or funds donated to a cherished cause would all be considered “Happy Money.”

On the other hand, money associated with regret, fear, resentment, or negative emotions is referred to as “Unhappy Money.” This might include money earned from a job you dislike, spent begrudgingly, or used in a way that sparks guilt or regret.

Ken Honda, offers various suggestions on how we can get “Happy Money” into our lives:

1. Practice Gratitude: Cultivate a sense of gratitude for the money you have, regardless of the amount. Be grateful when you receive money and when you are able to give or spend it. This attitude of appreciation fosters a positive relationship with money.

2. Heal Money Wounds: Identify and address any past traumas or negative experiences related to money, which Honda refers to as “money wounds.” By healing these wounds, you can change your negative attitudes and feelings towards money.

3. Give Generously: When you give money, whether it’s paying for a service, donating to a cause you care about, or giving a gift, do so with joy and goodwill. This transforms the money you give into “Happy Money.”

4. Receive Gratefully: When you receive money, accept it graciously and with gratitude. Whether it’s your salary, a gift, or a return on an investment, acknowledge the energy of “Happy Money” coming into your life.

5. Enjoy the Flow of Money: Embrace the idea that money flows in and out, much like a current. Instead of clinging to money out of fear, allow it to flow, understanding that it will come back in different forms.

6. Align Money with Your Values: Use money in a way that aligns with your values and brings you joy. Spend money on things and experiences that matter to you and contribute to your happiness.

7. Cultivate a Positive Attitude: Cultivate a positive attitude towards money. Instead of seeing it as a source of stress or conflict, view it as a tool that can contribute to your well-being and happiness.

The key concept is that by changing our attitudes and feelings towards money, we can transform “Unhappy Money” into “Happy Money,” leading to greater happiness, satisfaction, and peace in our lives.