We are not separate from this world. Not a single one of us, no matter where on any spectrum of any politics, religion, race, you may happen to land. And I think a lot of us know that. But knowing it and actually doing something about it are two very different things.

There is a sorting happening right now in the world, and no, I do not mean some kind of second coming. I mean something that began gradually and now is more apparent with the rise of the cost of living. Some businesses did not survive last year. Some are standing now that will not survive this year. And some of that is devastating. Many of those wiped out last year were small businesses, people, creators, who had put their heart and soul into their creations, their offerings — squeezed out because they’re not viewed as essential in some way. And that is a terrible thing to think about, because these areas, the creative world, the healing world, the spiritual world, they get seen as luxuries. And yes, of course, from a survival point of view, they are. Basic needs have to be met first. For some people the idea of buying something unique and beautiful simply for the delight of having it, or gifting it to someone else, has to take a lower priority than food, shelter, heat, clothing. But for those who have those basics covered, and who are fortunate enough to be able to do so, we have some questions to ask ourselves.

Because what we are all being asked to look at right now — each of us — is this: beyond the essentials, where is your money and attention going? Who are you choosing to support? And does that align with what you say you value?

The flow of money, attention and resources is the flow of energy. This flow is not separate from your values. It is your values, expressed.

I’ve done something since I first started out in this business, through every lean year and every not-so-lean one: a percentage of my income every month goes somewhere I value. It goes to organisations doing work I believe in — animal welfare, people welfare at home here in Ireland and abroad, planet welfare. It’s not a large percentage, believe me, I wish it was more. I wish so much it was more. And it does come at a personal cost, where that money could have gone somewhere for my family, or my desires. And I do repeatedly have to take a moment, or more than a moment, of: what are my values? What do I actually choose here? If I am saying that I am practicing a flow of money that allows that energy to support good, to hold goodness and nourishment, but only when it suits me, only when it doesn’t inconvenience me, then is that really true?

Or maybe there’s a month where I sit and honestly, maybe with some shame or disappointment, acknowledge that my donation this month is lower, that it’s kind of embarrassing actually. But that embarrassment has to be balanced with the knowledge that even if it’s a small amount, it’s still some amount shared, some amount sent on its way with a blessing and a gratitude for good people trying in their way to make the world a better place.

And this is a practice. It is a commitment. It is not easy, and it’s not about sacrificing or saving or giving money that I “don’t need” to appease my conscience. It’s about my values. And my values aligning with giving and support and allowing the flow of energy to people and organisations that are doing things I can’t do.

And just to say, that question is not resolved. I’m in it, every month. I’m not some perfect little princess lying on my billions. Every month there’s that moment where I have that little conversation with myself, where one part of me points out all the jobs that need to be done with the house, and all the things I could be and am saving for. And the other part says: but this is a way you contribute. It’s a way you let money flow with blessing and intention. It’s a way you support people who do things you can’t do.

And I’m telling you this because I think that’s actually the point — the conversation doesn’t end when you’ve made a comfortable commitment. It comes back around. The values question keeps asking itself. It has to keep asking itself. Because values with no cost aren’t values. They’re preferences. Anyone can hold a preference that costs them nothing.

In the world right now we are being asked to look at where our personal resources are going — money, time, attention, energy — and whether the answer reflects who we say we are. Are you having that conversation with yourself? Are you making adjustments in your life that support your values? I know it’s uncomfortable. It is meant to be uncomfortable. But it is time to look at where your subscriptions are going, where your time is spent scrolling, where your attention is given.

Our world doesn’t need more light and love and I am disengaged from the news because it’s too low vibe and whatever. No. What our world needs right now is conscious people showing up. Choosing with consciousness. Expressing their support with thoughtful choices.

The idea that we exist outside of politics, outside of all this — in some clean space above it — the time when we indulged that idea is a teeny, weeny, weeny, distant speck so far in the rearview mirror. You want ascension? Get embodied.

And to be clear about what I’m actually asking. I’m not saying go out and buy stuff. If your financial resources won’t allow a purchase — that’s real and true and I’m not talking to you about purchasing things you can’t afford. But if you’re on social media and your favourite artist is sharing some work: like the post. Make a comment. Don’t just scroll past. Do something that lets the person behind that post know they are seen, that their work is valued.

Because what even is our world if everyone just stops with the offerings of beauty? What are we even doing here then? A huge amount of creators are not just pootling along pretending the real things aren’t happening. They are looking at the real things and wrestling with them. And they are making their difference, by continuing, by contributing something beautiful, from their hearts. Continuing to offer their creations out into the world when the world is like this, that is not avoidance or ignorance. That is an act of rebellion and power.

So if you can’t support a small business or an art or a creator through the flow of your money energy, support them through the flow of your other resources: your time, your attention, your cheerleading of them. Let your values take shape and come to life, every day, in lived ways.

Don’t settle into that embarrassed silence of I can’t afford this right now, so I’m not going to do anything about it. Or worse, feeling cross or resentful that they’re continuing to produce work, that they’re bringing things into the world, when really they should be focusing on real things. When there are real things happening.

Art, beauty, creation, these are real things too. These are in fact the very real things that make the other heart-breakingly awful real things bearable. They bring hope. They bring light. They hold a power that roars beyond and through the noise of the angry, toxic, worst-of-patriarchy (is there a best-of-patriarchy?) movement flooding our world. Ascension as embodiment does not ask you to make peace with injustice. It asks you to refuse to let what is happening out there determine what you know yourself to be in here.

So. Where are your values? And how are you expressing them? Every day?

And look — if some of what I said landed uncomfortably, well, good. The point is that we can’t be comfortable right now. So, sit with it. That discomfort is helpful information. It’s not a reason to close the tab and go have a biscuit — although you know what, go have the biscuit, you probably need it. Just come back to the question.

That discomfort is worth looking at. That’s a values question too.