My first one was in third grade. I was excited about creating a project and exhibiting it in our school gymnasium for everyone to see. Most of all, I was jazzed at the prospect of winning ribbon.
My project was about the weather. We’d call it “climatology” today. I studied cloud formations, thunderstorms, rain, lightning and tornadoes. I drew pictures and made posters. I learned how to read my Uncle Walt’s barometric pressure gauge and explain what it meant. I don’t remember how, but I even created a hands-on display that showed how hail
was formed. It was a lot of fun. Best of all, I was awarded a BLUE RIBBON by the judges!
Needless to say, when it was time to plan my project in fourth grade, I was determined to win another blue ribbon. While I was researching ideas at the library, I found a book with instructions for making a telephone.
“This is it!” I thought to myself. “My project is going to be on the telephone.”
I learned everything I could about Alexander Graham Bell and the history of phones.
Again, I drew pictures and created posters. My Aunt Rita said I could borrow two of her antique phones for my display.
Then, a week before the Fair, I began to build my telephone using tin cans and cable.
Following the instructions carefully, I did it all by myself except for cutting the cable. I wasn’t strong enough so dad did that.
Finally, I was ready to test it. I gave my mom her telephone (i.e., tin cans) and told her to stand in the kitchen. Then I took my telephone and walked through our dining room into our living room. The cable stretched to its full length but I was able to reach my dad’s goldenrod recliner to make my first call.
I decided my first words would be the same ones Alexander Graham Bell spoke into his
telephone. “Mom, come here. I want to see you.”
Only mom didn’t come – nor did she respond. She didn’t hear me.
My telephone didn’t work! The Science Fair was in three days and my project was a failure.
Horrified and ashamed, I changed my project. I did the same one my sister, Barb, had done years before. I borrowed my Uncle Walt’s testing kit and tested water samples to identify what was in them. Then I copied Barb’s old signs and materials. It was an impressive display. My table was covered with dozens of test tubes filled with different colored
liquids. I only hoped it was good enough to win a blue ribbon.
The night of the Science Fair, I stood in front of my “What’s In Your Water?” display as the judges evaluated it. One judge, Mrs. O’Brien, commented, “I thought your project was going to be about telephones, Teresa.”
“It was,” I replied. “But the telephone I made didn’t work.”
“Do you know why?” she asked.
I shook my head. Truthfully, I hadn’t tried to learn.
I didn’t get a blue ribbon that night. In fact, I didn’t get ANY ribbon. But I did get a lesson I’ve never forgotten.
Before she moved onto the next display, Mrs. O’Brien said, “Too bad. If you had been able to explain WHY your phone didn’t work, we would have given you a blue ribbon.”
I was shocked. It didn’t make sense. “How could I get a blue ribbon for FAILING?”
It was a strange concept. As in fourth grade, my lifelong pattern has been to hide my mistakes and failures. To do things that make me look good. This has been especially true when it comes to money.
Today, I understand what Mrs. O’Brien was getting at. I now realize that my past relationship with money has been one BIG science project that didn’t work.
Only this time, I HAVE figured out why. And it really is like winning a prize.
I have discovered that an unseen Archetype of Scarcity has been at work in my life. It is why all my efforts to make more money (or spend less) didn’t create the result I wanted. I didn’t experience the freedom, joy, peace of mind and abundance I longed for.
This Archetype of Scarcity is at work in your life too, my friend. The world we live in has been built upon it. And it’s not working. All that is happening in our world today underscores this truth.
What perpetuates this endless experience of scarcity is the understanding of abundance our culture promotes. Which means the first step out of scarcity is to redefine abundance once and for all.
The next step is to reclaim the ancient Archetype of Abundance I’ve discovered that DOES work. This is the archetype I now embrace and practice living from every day.
Sharing this new understanding of abundance is my new mission. So is supporting you to claim this Archetype of Abundance as the new foundation for your life.
Last night, I “gave birth” to this new message and new body of work by launching my new website (and new brand). I’m excited to share it with you now. Please check it out at www.TeresaRomain.com.
You were not created to live in scarcity, . Nor in fear, guilt, or shame. You were created to live a life of unconditional freedom with infinite resources to support you. That includes money.
THIS is why I’m inviting you to take your first step into the Archetype of Abundance today, my friend.
All my love~
xoxox
T.
