The Seven Stones Blog

When we are open to breaking free of money, when we decide now is the time to allow our lives to flow regardless of our monetary circumstances, we can take the second step in breaking free:

Understand how to be responsible about money without allowing scarcity to dominate and without traveling to Fantasy Land.

During my inquiry into sufficiency I have discovered my conversations about money move along two continuums: one is between responsibility and Fantasy Land and the other is between scarcity and sufficiency. For most folks responsibility can seem boring (hence this current mortgage crises); however, I believe that being conscientious, reliable and trustworthy about how I earn and spend money brings me clarity and integrity and allows me to listen to my deepest needs and desires.

When I go to Fantasy Land—a technical finance and investment term—that is when I buy things I haven’t allocated the money for. When I use credit cards with no thought of the next bill, when I buy the next thing and the next thing and I have not opened, read or completed the last thing. It is when I lose focus, don’t know what is in the bank, how much I have spent, what I owe or what is owed to me. When I am deep in Fantasy Land I feel trapped and breathless by money.

What is scarcity? When I don’t have enough, when I define myself by what I have in the bank (see part one) It is also when I feel: failure, fear, resentment, doubt, impatience, vulnerability, shame or when I am hoarding or comparing my money to someone or something else. The more opportunities I create to move away from scarcity and toward sufficiency, the more opportunities and growth become available.

What is sufficiency? I have to confess that I am rarely at the far end on the sufficiency continuum when it comes to money. However, I do have moments when I do feel fulfillment, flow, gratitude, ease and appreciation about money. I feel sufficient when I honor and trust myself and allow for anything to happen. Those are the moments when I experience sufficiency.

Ultimately, I believe that we arrive at sufficiency about money when we know what is enough . . .

what is enough money for you?

Seven Stones is a leadership journeys company founded in 2009 by Gina LaRoche and Jennifer Cohen. Our learning programs, coaching practice, organizational consulting engagements and groundbreaking thought leadership work are all designed to help bring about a world that is loving, courageous and just. 9 Damon Mill Square, Suite 2H | Concord, MA 01742 [email protected] | (617) 531-3548 ©2023 Seven Stones Leadership Group Website by Avenue 4 Design Collage artwork by Gina LaRoche

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4 Virtual Learning Sessions plus 6-month Racial Affinity Group Experience

For this learning path, you will participate in the 4 virtual learning sessions and be enrolled in one of three Racial Affinity Groups:

1) People who identify as People of Color (Black, Indigenous, Asian, Hispanic)

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3) People who identify as White

*More specific affinity groups may be formed upon the completion of course registration

We believe that it is important to do our own work with people with similar racial experiences to build capacity for cross-race dialogue that supports authentic relationships and deep belonging for everyone. We will ask you to self-select into the group that best aligns with your racial identity. We recognize that for some this is not a simple choice and we are available to have a conversation with you to support your selection.

Together we will:

Reflect personally and collectively on the impact of embodied trauma, separation, scarcity and disconnection.
Work in learning partners and/or small groups for the sake of holding each other accountable and deepening our learning through multiple disciplines.
Engage in embodied practices for unwinding from the impact of racism in order to build stamina, capacity, and resilience.

Where: Online Zoom Sessions

Time: 11am-12:30pm ET/8am PT/4pm GMT*

When: 5-Sessions scheduled between Sept 28, 2023 – Jan 26, 2024 (see below)

*All sessions will run from 11am-12:30pm ET.

Racial Affinity Group Schedule
Thurs, September 28, 2023 — 11am-12:30pm ET	Kick-off/ Authentic Communication
Thurs, November 2, 2023 — 11am-12:30pm ET	Unpacking Our Racial Autobiographies
Friday, November 17, 2023 — 11am-12:30pm ET	Self-Compassion
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Upon registration, you will be directed to our online community space, where all aspects of your program will live, including: pre-work, event links, and a space to connect with fellow participants.

4 Virtual Learning Sessions Only

These four learning sessions will provide you with a new view and innovative framing of the problem as we see it. Below is a brief description of what will take place in each session:

Learning Session 1: Why Context Matters
In session one, we look at our individualist narratives and the impact of not understanding the context in which we exist.
Learning Session 2: Unpacking Trauma
In session two, we discuss individual and collective trauma. We define trauma and look together about our current systems of inequality and how they evoke trauma-like responses in so many of us.
Learning Session 3: Global Anti-Black Racism: A History Lesson
In session three, we get a history lesson like none other: we explore the global slave trade as the foundation for our current economic model.
Learning Session 4: Understanding Power
In our last session, we examine power; power structures, our relationships with personal power; the importance of learning a healthy relationship with power when so many of us have had power abuse in our lives.

Where: Online Zoom Learning Sessions

Time: 11am-1pm ET/8am PT/4pm GMT*

When: 4-sessions scheduled between Sept 21, 2023 – Jan 18, 2024 (see details below)

*All sessions will run from 11am-1pm ET.

Learning Session Schedule
Thurs, September 21, 2023 — 11 - 1pm ET	Why Context Matters
Thurs, October 26, 2023 — 11 - 1pm ET	Unpacking Trauma
Thurs, November 16, 2023 — 11 - 1pm ET	Global Anti-Black Racism: A History Lesson
Thurs, January 18, 2024 — 11 - 1pm ET	Understanding Power

Course Registration

Upon registration, you will be directed to our online community space, where all aspects of your modular program will live, including: pre-work, event links, and a space to connect with fellow participants.

The Seven Stones Blog

Breaking Free of the Money Trap (Part 2 of a 4 part blog)

Learning Journeys

About Seven Stones

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