Is being rich all that?

Money Can’t Buy Happiness

While I agree with this, I have also heard:

But it Can Buy Everything to Make You Happy

It made me question, what is the right approach. I know that there are more problems when you have more money. I know that money also leads to a sense of power and authority over those who don’t have as much. I know money can also make you greedy, prideful and alone. But why is there still such a focus around money. Why does it seem most of our society still works for money and not for other things. Other things such as dreams and passions, the will to do something better for others, to feel fulfilled and happy. Why do I run into so many people that say, “I’m just doing this for the money” and others go along with it completely understanding it. Even I do the same thing and here I am criticizing myself about it with no plan of action to change it. Getting stuck in the comfort of predictability and reliability allows me to temporarily rest as I think to myself, that is a problem for tomorrow. When “tomorrow” is ACTUALLY TODAY!

What is the point of all of this that I am saying? By now, it sounds like a rant which I believe often is and will be the case for these blogs. Bear with me. The point of life I’m in right now, the question of “what am I going to do?” and “what effect will it have?” are constantly ringing through my head. When I look at YouTube to watch “successful people” or read books by “successful people” I am constantly reminded of how my end goal is for me, according to them. What I’ve realized through this consumption is that what they are saying is right to an extent. The practices, the mindset and habits will certainly improve myself. But I think often what people leave out in these things are the repercussions of doing it the wrong way. I also find that the focus on money itself still remains strong and while there are different wordplay techniques to downplay it, it remains a large influence. 

What does society have to say about it?

Instead of trying to generalize the entire society and assume that they all share the same values, I wanted to do something different. In the past I would say I have certainly given the upper class the benefit of the doubt in assuming they always do what’s best. But as I saw their true colors whether it be in what they said or did I slowly begun to distrust every one of them. While I don’t recommend fully trusting someone you don’t know, I wouldn’t call it wise to also do the opposite as well because sometimes they share similar values. What I did was I found an article from Forbes on the “Top 100 Money Quotes of All Time” and read through all of them. I will share a few below:

Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver. –Ayn Rand

You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you. –Maya Angelou

The real measure of your wealth is how much you’d be worth if you lost all your money. –Anonymous

Before you speak, listen. Before you write, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you invest, investigate. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try. Before you retire, save. Before you die, give. –William A. Ward

My thoughts…

 While each of these individuals shared different backgrounds, including the others I didn’t quote, they all seem to have realized a big thing about money itself. It’s actually not about it. Out of the one hundred quotes about “money” only a handful if even are truly about “money”. The rest are mainly warnings or advice on what truly to focus on. Some of the individuals in the article were wealthy while others were impoverished. The most amazing thing is that most if not all hold the same understanding of money not being the focus. Which in turn has helped me realize a few things, which I will bullet point if you haven’t noticed is my favorite way to outline my thoughts:

• Money is a tool
• It isn’t a purpose, it shouldn’t be the sole motivation, it isn’t everlasting or inspirational. Money is simply a resource created that causes more division than almost anything else in this world. 
• With the knowledge of money’s use, instead of using it how it has been used for separation of status or class, redefine its purpose through shifting its use in your life. 
• A tool is often shared and there is no exception with this tool. Sometimes your neighbor doesn’t have that tool to finish that project they’ve dreamed of for years and you could be part of that. Don’t withhold your tools from those who need it, for others will learn to do the same. 

• Money is a distraction
• When asked as children what we want to be when we grow up, a majority would express a position of some sort with a role or status. There is something about that responsibility and purpose that brought us inspiration. But as we grow, we come to realize often those things can involve risk and money can be a deterrent to those desires. 
• Money shouldn’t distract you from the dreams you have. While it may not be completely possible to leave your job and follow your dreams, you always have time to dedicate to them. The money you make now or in the future should never be the distraction from what you truly desire to do, because that is what makes the real change. 
• Money brings a sense of peace when it is in our pockets. We are conditioned to believe that when we have money, we have freedom. But that again is a distraction to true freedom and happiness. Which is brought through the influence and impact you have on the world around you. 

• Money is nothing
• In the end, a wise man once said, “A big house and a big car don’t add up when you die alone.”
• The pursuit of money is an endless journey that has no happy ending. There will always be a desire for more because the true virtue needed is contentment in the present. 
• The desire should not be dollar signs, instead it should be peace signs. I know, cheesy. But truly the company of others with the desire to encourage and inspire the people around you are where you will find happiness. 

41 Sitting across from the temple treasury, he watched how the crowd dropped money into the treasury. Many rich people were putting in large sums. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two tiny coins worth very little. 43 Summoning his disciples, he said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had — all she had to live on.” — Mark 12:41-44 (CSB)

While I know I will not always live this way as I will get distracted. I should push to act like this in every opportunity. It isn’t about what you think as much as about what you do. If you learn to ignore your thoughts when you need to and just do it, you will find it much easier the next time around. 

Me now begging for your input:

Hello there! If you’ve made it this far, great, now is for the best part. The part where I get to hear from you! About how much you hated all that I had to say. Maybe about how amazing you think my grammar is or how I should go back to grade school. Even if it’s just something totally random or a suggestion. Questions are always a plus too. I’d love to hear from you, it means the world to me. Okay, I’m done now. Until next time…stay classy 🙂