Is your perspective on money negative? Do you view it as the root of all evil and hold disdain for those who possess wealth? Perhaps it’s time for a change in your mindset.
While it’s true that we’ve heard time and time again that money can’t buy happiness, it’s not to say that wealth isn’t something worth striving for. In fact, the negative stigma surrounding money can sometimes make people feel guilty or ashamed for wanting to accumulate wealth. Nowadays, we are told that money is “the root of all evil.” That’s quite a bold claim. Not just a twig of evil, but the very source of all that is and ever was evil!
Let’s think about this statement for a minute. If money is the root of all evil, then what justification could I ever have for wanting any of it? Does this make me a bad person? Something worse?! People like to say, “Money changes people.” This is portrayed in your classic Hollywood flick: some poor, kind person strikes themselves rich (usually through their own sheer effort, but sometimes it’s just a lottery), then they abandon all their old friends, buy a condo in Florida for ten million or so, and spend the rest of their dough on drugs and prostitutes into eternity. We hear it all the time: money changes people. What does this mean? How does money do that? If I hang around this money stuff too long, am I going to morph into some kind of demon? Scary stuff. I wonder what Freud or Jung would have to say today about our collective and subconscious fears regarding that little green piece of paper.
But let’s face it: most of us want money. And I don’t mean just in that “Well, we need money to get by and feed our kids” kind of way. No, deep down, we love the stuff – the more, the better! We claim to be thankful for having the ability to provide food and shelter for our family, but life wouldn’t be fair without those couple of TVs, the computer, DVD player, iPod, and that Xbox360. Are we a little sick? Only if we lie about it.
We have all become hypocrites. We tell others one thing, but desire the things we shun. It happens a lot, and I can surely vouch for it happening to myself. The economic collapse was equally a result of human greed as it was human envy or human “entitlement.” We hate people with money, but we want to be in their position. That’s cognitive dissonance if I’ve ever seen it. Can’t we just be honest with our feelings? Here, let me go first:
I have always been more open about my dreams than others. I don’t tell people I want just a little bit of money; I want a lot of it! I want a big house. I want my living space to be a work of art. I want one room to have a beautifully designed wooden floor, a carpet with the design of a mandala, along with a row of meditation cushions. I want another room to be a huge fish tank so it looks like you are submerged underwater whenever you walk in. Another I can completely dedicate to pillow fights. Then I need someplace for my future collection of exotic musical instruments, and another next door to display all the expensive art and photography I’ve purchased over the years. Private jet? Sounds good, I hate flying commercial. Movie theater? Yeah, and all the newest releases will be at my house. Basketball court? Hey, I gotta stay in shape…
I could write a whole book of the things I would like to do if only I had the money. Sound greedy? Selfish? Capitalistic? Or am I touching on something that is inside all of us? What do we have to be ashamed of? It’s natural to have aspirations and desires, and wanting financial resources to achieve them is not something to be ashamed of. However, it’s important to remember that money alone cannot bring happiness or fulfillment in life. It’s just a means to an end. Pursuing wealth should not come at the expense of our values, relationships, or well-being. We should strive to find a balance between our material aspirations and our personal growth, and use our resources to make a positive impact on ourselves and the world around us. In the end, it’s not about the money we accumulate, but the experiences and the legacy we leave behind that truly matter.
Now, I’m not advocating for a society where wealth is the sole measure of success, but I do believe that there is nothing inherently wrong with wanting money or striving for financial success. In fact, having financial security can open up opportunities and possibilities that may have otherwise been closed off. It can provide a sense of freedom and independence that allows us to pursue our passions and goals.
However, it’s important to recognize that money is not the only thing that matters in life. It cannot buy happiness, love, or fulfillment. It’s essential to maintain a healthy perspective and not let our desire for wealth consume us. We must also consider the impact our pursuit of money has on others and the world around us.
In conclusion, it’s okay to want wealth and financial security, as long as we understand that it is not everything. We should strive to find a balance between our desire for financial success and the other important aspects of life, such as relationships, personal growth, and social responsibility. By doing so, we can lead fulfilling and meaningful lives while also enjoying the benefits that come with financial stability.
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