I was recently in NY where I had the rare opportunity of walking around the floor of the NY stock exchange. It was fascinating to be standing amidst the screaming numbers, frantic orders, lingering cigarette stench of ten minute smoke breaks and panic ridden outbursts of “buy” and “sell.” Yet despite the chaos, there was a sense of pride and significance for everyone there that their job served as the main artery to America’s heart.

It did however occur to me, in the craziness of the Stock Exchange, what a huge influence money has on us – more importantly, the fear induced of the lack thereof. Obviously we are in a time where our economy is second worse only to the Great Depression, but even in the face of these circumstances, I think we have control over our fear-o-meter.

Too often people fall victim to their circumstances and start living life by what they are given, instead of taking what they want. I hear excuse after excuse about why people are not living out their dreams, why they have settled for mediocrity and why they become resigned to their circumstances. Most recently, that excuse is money, or rather, no money.

I understand that times are hard, that people are losing jobs, that our economy is terrible, and that stocks are down. And this is not to invalidate that people are struggling, and families are suffering; but at the same time, I believe that it is but another challenge life has presented us with. And we can either crumble underneath it completely or, wobbly legged and determined, we can stand up in spite of it.

Not to sound Pollyanna-ish, but I think we need a little more faith in our lives and a little less fear. We could get in a life-altering car crash tomorrow and never walk again but that can’t prevent us from ever crossing the street again. The economy could get worse and more jobs could be lost (even yours) but that doesn’t give you an excuse to withdraw from your life and allow “money” to become your scapegoat.

I believe in abundance; I believe that there is plenty to go around, that life is as full or as empty as we choose to see it. Neither money, nor anything else will limit my life and my dreams. Whether it’s your finances, your job, your family, your body, your boss, your ex, your past, or your future; what are you allowing to be your excuse for why things aren’t as you want them to be?

Because honestly, we have one life, one chance to play the game and one opportunity to make our wildest dreams a reality. I had people telling me that it was ludicrous to start a company at 22. That I was: too young, too native, too broke, too inexperienced, too trusting, too nice, too “cute and sweet” (my favorite), too ADD, too everything. I was told I was insane to look for investors in “this economy,” that I’d be better off getting a “safe” job somewhere until the “storm passes by.” But what they didn’t take into consideration is that I don’t believe in waiting for the perfect circumstances, I don’t believe in handing over the pen of my life’s story when I am in fact, the author. After all, there’s nothing more satisfying than doing what people said couldn’t be done and humbly, with no words necessary say, “ I told you so.”

Money is money and it will come and go; what we can never lose is the faith we have in ourselves and the certainty we have in our dreams. No more excuses, decide what you want and pursue it relentlessly until it’s yours. Period.

My recent resolution: Anything is mine in 2009.