The Dash For Cash!

Money. Sometimes we have it. Other times we don’t. Some have lots. Others not so much. We want it. We need it. But just how much? And is it healthy to obsess over it? In religious writings of the Middle Ages, Mammon was the personification of material wealth, particularly its evil influence - the “god of riches”, if you will. As an idol of materialism, this figure was oftentimes used to describe greed, excess and dishonest gain. Now, ask yourself this: Do you worship at the altar of Mammon? Today, modern society has conditioned us to essentially “love” money by creating a culture of consumerism. Remember Gordon Gekko? He is the ruthless corporate raider — played by Michael Douglas — who famously exclaims “Greed... is good” in the classic 1987 film Wall Street? Currency controls the progress of our lives. It signals the transformations we need to make to live comfortably. Money can turn us into its servants. Not by restricting our behaviours, but by corrupting our attitudes. The person who is obsessed with possessions that he doesn’t have is just as much a captive of cash as the person who is overly-fixated on those things that he does have. Are you trying to impress others with your multi-million-dollar home, prestige car and designer clothes? Do you covet those of your neighbours? It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that you need to spend money to maintain a certain image or lifestyle. It’s the phenomenon known as “keeping up with the Joneses”. Money can make us envious of others, cause us to constantly compare ourselves to people around us. It can even make us discontent. When we continually lust for more money and envy others’ wealth, potentially unmet needs can be rather anxiety-provoking... or worse. “Try to make ends meet, you’re a slave to money then you die” goes that unforgettable line from the song Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve. Many of us are guilty of staying in jobs we don’t like simply because we believe we need the money. We’re participants in a rat race with no real winner. As a rule of thumb, the higher the income an individual has, the higher the spending and the debt leveraging they will engage in. If you’re controlled by money as opposed to controlling money, the chances are you’ll never be truly satisfied with your lot in life. By all means, work and earn – it’s good for the soul. But work smart, not just hard. By harnessing your money and having it work for you, you’ll be in control. Don’t be a victim – take charge of your dollar destiny. Can lots and lots of money buy true happiness? That is the $64,000 question. It’s certainly something to think about...  

Posted 9 years ago 2 Minute(s) to read