Day 4 – Ignore the Voice of Insecurity
Scene Setting:
The city streets were quiet at this hour, the glow of neon signs reflecting off the wet pavement. Inse, 50, adjusted the strap of his worn-out guitar case as he walked toward a modest community center. He had just finished his night shift as a janitor, and exhaustion clung to his every step.
Inside the center, laughter and chatter filled the air. Families gathered for a free art workshop, children dipping their brushes into bright paints, creating messy, beautiful chaos. Inse hesitated at the door, his fingers tightening around the guitar case handle.
At the back of the room, Curity was setting up a donation table, organizing art supplies for kids who couldn’t afford them. She glanced up and smiled warmly. “You came.”
Inse exhaled sharply. “Yeah, well. You were annoyingly persistent.”
Curity smirked. “That’s what sisters are for.” She motioned toward an empty chair. “Sit. Watch the kids paint. Maybe even join them.”
Inse shook his head, stepping back. “This isn’t really my scene anymore, Curity.” His voice was heavy. “I used to be someone in the art world. A real artist. Now, I scrub floors for a living. I don’t belong here.”
Curity sighed, folding her arms. “There it is. The Voice of Insecurity, loud and clear.”
Inse scoffed. “It’s not insecurity, it’s reality. I had money, success, a career. I lost it all. Now I barely make enough to survive.”
Curity tilted her head. “And what exactly does that say about your worth?”
Inse frowned. “It says I failed.”
Curity’s expression softened. “No, it says you believe that money is the measure of your value. And that’s a lie.”
Inse rubbed his temples. “Come on, Curity. Money matters. Without it, life is… humiliating.”
Curity nodded. “Yes, money is important. But it’s not the definition of who you are. You let the Voice of Insecurity tell you that because your bank account is low, your worth is, too. That’s false.”
Inse was silent, watching a young boy paint clumsy strokes onto a canvas, his face glowing with joy.
Curity continued, her voice gentle but firm. “When you were a successful artist, did you feel worthy?”
Inse hesitated. “At times. But there was always pressure, more commissions, more galleries, more competition. I was constantly chasing the next paycheck, worried I’d lose everything. And then I did lose everything.”
Curity smiled sadly. “So, money didn’t bring you peace then either. It just gave you a different flavor of fear.”
Inse let out a bitter laugh. “I guess not.”
Curity leaned in. “Your value was never in your paycheck, Inse. It was in you. In your ability to create, to inspire, to teach. And that hasn’t disappeared just because you don’t have a fancy studio anymore.”
Inse swallowed hard. “Then why does it feel like I’m nothing now?”
Curity placed a hand on his. “Because you’ve been listening to that voice in your head that equates financial success with self-worth. You need to ignore it. It’s lying to you.”
Inse stared at her, then at the children painting, children who didn’t care about money, status, or prestige. Just the joy of creating.
Curity smiled. “Why don’t you teach one of them something? Just one kid. Show them how to hold a brush the right way.”
Inse hesitated. Then, slowly, he stepped toward the table.
A little girl with bright eyes looked up at him. “Mister, can you show me how to make the sky look real?”
Inse felt something shift in his chest. Maybe he didn’t have money. Maybe he had lost a lot. But this? This moment, this ability to share what he knew, this was something money couldn’t take away.
He picked up a brush and dipped it into the blue paint. “Sure, kid. Let me show you.”
Curity watched with satisfaction. Day four, challenge complete.
Takeaways from Day 4 – Ignore the Voice of Insecurity About Money
- Money is a Tool, Not a Measure of Worth: Your value isn’t dictated by your bank account.
- Financial Loss Does Not Equal Personal Failure: Life fluctuates, what you earn doesn’t define who you are.
- Ignore the Voice of Insecurity: The voice that tells you you’re nothing without money is lying.
- Success Isn’t Just Financial: Your knowledge, skills, and ability to inspire others are just as valuable.
- Give Where You Can: Even if you don’t have wealth, you have wisdom. Share it.
As Inse helped the little girl with her painting, he realized something, he wasn’t worthless. He still had something to give. And that was worth more than any paycheck.
