Written & published by: Kevin Beard Jr.
Food for thought - Money is NOT everything:
To begin, I decided that I would write about this topic because I'm tired of today's society being "brainwashed" into fake lies about money being everything. So I'm going to express my true opinions of what having "some" money means in this world, along with the reason why money in general is NOT everything.
But first, let me talk about what having a little bit of money means for those who aren't sure what I mean.
Okay, let me simplify what having a little bit of money means to me. Here's the basics: Having a little bit of money means that I'm able to live in a comfortable environment, not a "rich" environment, but an average one. Having a little bit of money means that I wont starve -- it means that I have just enough to pay for food, even if it's just a little bit of food. It also means I will have a peace of mind. In addition, money means that I will be able to maintain adequate health. Furthermore, it means I'll have freedom, but NOT power. Having a little bit of money also means the difference in whether or not I have anything in life to cherish or value, which I cherish those who love me & I appreciate the value on everything that I have in my life. So my point is, with "some" money you can have all the basic & simple commodities, immensities & securities that will keep your blood pressure down. In other words -- keeping you content & comfortable with your living habits while trying to be stable.
At the same time however, it is impossible to live without the resource of money. For example, If a Man or Woman does not work or make any income, then neither he or she can eat. Unfortunately, we live in a world that is set up that way. Not having money can limit yourself in many ways & cause you much stress & strife, but that will depend on yourself & your own values which is understandable. I also understand that money is a means of basic survival. If you can't feed, cloth & shelter yourself, your quality of living is going to suffer, which will make it nearly impossible to place needed focus on a social life, career & leisure activities. Like I said, money has its limitations, but It cannot buy you "everything" & it cannot buy you a peace of mind. My point is that we have to have "some" money to survive. There's a fine line between being at rock bottom to living in prosperity but it's a different story for all of us. Sure, having some money is a good percent of life but money alone is not the answer, whether you're rich, middle class, or poor. It is not "everything." Though money isn't everything & doesn't equal happiness, I will say that it does solve many of life's problems & it is needed to survive in this world. But somehow the rich & wealthy people have twisted its use to self gratification only which is a shame. Like I say to everyone, the love of money is the root of evil. I personally look at it like this, I know what I want in life, I know who I am as a person -- what I feel i must have done, experienced, obtained & accomplished, & I don't base that entire concept on money or power, nor do I feel superior to others. I love & respect those regardless of whether they are in a lower class or living in poverty. Though I believe that It's very important to have a sense of security financially & emotionally because without enough money to live comfortably then there's no words, hug, kiss, or person who can "fix" that issue in itself for you, but there is hope. There will eventually come a point where once there's enough stability in your life & you're able to manage what you cherish & value in terms in money -- that you're able to be content with other people & to be comfortable with what you have & to uphold your morals, values & self-worth. However, patience & prayer is a must.
Now, let me get on to those who are cocky & claim that money is "everything" because I have a lot of say. Sorry, but I got news to tell you -- money isn't everything. No matter how much money you may have, or how little you have -- money does not define your happiness & it certainly doesn't define who you are as a person. Money is not "everything." There are so many things that come from within yourself that you just don't know. Let me ask you something, how can money buy happiness, love, respect, self-reliance, dignity, joy, sadness, pain, understanding, compassion, regret, peace, harmony, family, grace, etc. I could go on for hours. If at the moment having money & materialistic things can give you "everything" including your own happiness, then that's your opinion, but it's a bad opinion if I may be honest. Why is it a bad opinion? Because some things that money can possibly buy can actually nullify your life -- you can very easily lose sense or worth & value on things such as your morals, integrity, humanity, & self worth because without those important traits, you are greedy towards yourself & others & you know it.
I tell it like it is & I don't "sugar coat" anything, but money is just a means by which to get by in life. It's not a necessity for happiness or to judge a person, no matter what anyone thinks, true happiness comes from within yourself. Let me ask you a question -- If money brings happiness & "everything" to you then how much money (exact) would you say you need? Oh, that's right, you don't have an exact answer or amount because no matter what amount of money you say, you'd need more & more because you need to spend. So simply put, if you need to have a constant flow of cash to supply your "happiness" or "everything" then your not really living life or being happy because you need to constantly distract yourself with buying new things. Though It is true that money buys distraction from unhappiness, it will not last for long. The distraction & excitement will end & you will go back to being unhappy again. Also, if money didn't mean anything to you, then you'd love yourself & accept yourself regardless of your money. Money is only a ticket to make a purchase & that is all. You can't base your life & happiness on money & assume that it's everything. It just doesn't work like that. What's important in life is that you love yourself & that you take care of those who love you back, it's called, "give & take." You can have all the money in the world but without those who love you -- you have nobody. You could have all the money in the world, but without your own health you have nothing. You can have all the money in the world & buy the biggest most comfortable bed but it won't necessarily buy you sleep. Do you see my point? You rather want something for the sake of it than to learn to be content with life & to learn how to live with yourself & be appreciative for the things you have. You live on the hope that tomorrow things will be different & tomorrow you will be happy. It doesn't work that way. The desperation &/or greed that defines your emotions & relationship to money as "everything" is what makes the world a miserable, dangerous, & convoluted place - fraught with mixed up priorities, illusions of happiness, & delusions of purpose.
With that being said, there are 2 problems with those who claim that money is "everything:"
1. One of the problems with those who claim that money is "everything" is that those who are wealthy & rich usually become depressed overtime because they come to the realization that there is no real happiness to the things that they buy. So after cycles & cycles of having everything that the rich people want, they then start to desire that of which they can no longer have, & that is happiness WITHOUT materials. Understand that It becomes easy for the rich & wealthy to be depressed after time because it becomes very hard for the them to attain such things at a certain point, especially when people in their lives may be fake, & may want to just lounge around & use them for their money & expensive values. When this happens, sometimes the best alternative to the mind of the rich & wealthy are drugs (which isn't actually the best alternative) but a alternative temporary happiness, to substitute for their no longer satisfying temporary happiness after buying "everything" they already have.
2. The second problem is that society values rich people with higher paid jobs, nice cars, nice homes, good furniture, nice clothes, etc, that when young teenagers, Men & Woman particularly go to school, or walk out in public -- that often times other people are judged how rich they are by their race, their clothing, personal items -- their education & knowledge. So to me, it seems like the ones who appear to be "better off" have a better chance at making friends or being spoken to, rather then speaking or making friends to those who seem to look poor & do not seem to have much. It gets so deep to the point where some young teenagers, Men & Woman even seek out the people whose families are well off. It's extremely biased & sad, but it's true. You are being selfish when you do that. You think you can serve yourself & that you can serve others who are superior like yourself, but really, It's in the reaching out to others who have money & nice things that fulfills your needs & desires. The more you pick out those kinds of people, the more worse & unloving of a person you become.
Now, for those who are rich but disagree with the 2 problems that I mentioned above, let me just tell you that you're most likely looking at it from the perspective of a rich & wealthy person who feels superior to others, but imagine if you were born into poverty or lower class. How would you feel? I'm sure you'd realize that money isn't "everything" because you'd either live off pay check to pay check, or you wouldn't have a lot of money in general. Therefore, you would find other things in your life that would alter your happiness & make you content, like your family & friends & those who love you, wheres though people who are rich & wealthy are spoiled & used to getting what they want & when they want. They don't care about the middle class, lower class & those living in poverty. Young kids or young adults who are claimed "rich" feel superior to others who aren't at their "level." They find money as being the most powerful source they can ever have. It's a shame, but most parents nowadays teach their young kids & upcoming adults on how to obtain the cost of something expensive rather then appreciating the value of it.
It's no wonder why others are drawn toward people like myself because it's hard to find someone who's pure of heart & motive -- we become healthy just to be around. It's no wonder if we start a charity or business for the greater good of everyone that it's always successful -- because everyone wants to contribute to a non-selfish entity. Unfortunately, the masses believe that money can buy one's happiness, because it actually does provide satisfaction, but only momentarily. Temporary happiness is the same as temporary love, it isn't real. For example, with money you can buy a house but not a home. With money you can buy a clock but not time. With money you can buy a bed but not sleep. With money you can buy a book but not knowledge. With money you can buy a doctor but not health. With money you can buy a position but not respect. With money you can buy blood but not life. With money you can buy sex but not love. So what I'm trying to say is that you can BUY things, but the reality is that it won't effect anything if you don't value it.
Now you may ask -- so why do we continue to go after these things then? Well, because we are in a on-going cycle of little high's & low's from the material we gain in this world. It is the same as a dangerous addiction, except from this addiction there is no apparent harm, yet there is harm indeed. We ourselves become materialistic people. For example, we become obsessed with what's on the mannequin, & on the T.V. screens & movies, as well as the news stations who are all about the ratings & money. We are allowing ourselves to become ignorant, because it is all really just a set up for us to consume more & to also put money in the hands of the greedy. It is all an illusion, but we continue to do so anyway because it apparently puts a quarter of gas in our tank of "happiness," but that's not true for most people like myself. Personally I like to think of money is like any addictive substance. It's fire. It can burn us. What you need to understand is that where our treasure is -- is also will our heart will be. If money becomes the most important thing, then it'll be what we most often think about, which is "everything." Even in the best scenario, money distracts us from the other wonderful non-monetary things we could have been doing-- like building relationships with others & working on bettering ourselves & the world around us. In my opinion, money is the evil of the roots only if you let it be. I can't stress this enough, but money has to be controlled or you become greedy & pure evil towards yourself & others.
Aside from that, I can't close this thought without mentioning God in it. For those who think money is "everything" well first off, I believe. I believe that he created everything, & he created each of us, He knows us intimately & has a purpose for each of us. He made us each so he could love & admire us for who we are, which we do by being ourselves & using our natural gifts & talents -- not love & admire us for how much money we have. But understand that we don't really reach our stride until we get close to God by reading his word & praying & finding our connection to Him. We all yearn to sort of find some kind of nirvana, & it's really just in getting to know our maker. Really it's about doing unto others, living honorably, making a difference & asking him for help along the way, & while we do so, he rewards us with great blessings in this life & then we get eternal life. It's a win-win situation.
That heart pull we feel when we sing a hymn, help a child, experience love itself, & give to charity, that is God's way of speaking to us to do more & more of that, even to commit our lives to it. We can trust that feeling, as it is God's love, & God's pleasure. It's like walking into the light. That is the path to everything, not money. Money is the root of all evil.
Lastly, I'll end it with a quote from the bible:
1 Timothy 6:9,10)
"However, those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation & a snare & many senseless & hurtful desires, which plunge men into destruction & ruin. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, & by reaching out for this love some have been led astray from the faith & have stabbed themselves all over with many pains."
Written & published by: Kevin Beard Jr.
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