04/09/2026
Holding up the mirror
The mirror of our bank statements: Aligning our wealth with our values
Have you ever noticed how increased access can actually create more anxiety and worry?
It’s wonderful to be able to text someone in our family and make sure they’ve arrived safely. But what happens when they don’t respond? The temptation to keep checking the phone can keep us on the edge of our seats!
This same habit has seeped into many other areas of our lives.
Just think about how often we log into our banking apps simply to check a balance or confirm a transaction. It is something most of us do almost automatically.
We are so focused on seeking that quick reassurance, looking only at the bottom line, that we rarely pause to look any deeper.
But what if we changed how we interact with that information? What if we took a moment to look at those statements not just as a quick measure of what is left, but as a true reflection of how we are living?
In Good Money, John Coleman highlights another of the pillars of the Harvard Human Flourishing Program: character and virtue.
At first glance, it might seem strange to link our inner character directly to our financial planning. We rarely talk about money and virtue in the same breath.
Yet, a bank statement is essentially a mirror. It shows us, with absolute clarity, exactly what we are prioritising in our daily lives. There’s a great saying that says where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
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Holding up the mirror | RiG https://rig.ac/holding-up-the-mirror/