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Money isn’t everything. I’m sure you’ve heard that one before, but have you ever stopped to think about it?

What does money get you? Quite simply, things. But what becomes of those things? They get used, get old, and then you have to replace them with new things, better things, even cooler things (shiny new things). So essentially money doesn’t really get you anywhere but in a situation where you want more of it, or even, need it.

Now before you get all defensive, think that through. Yeah, I know money makes the world go around, and you need money to live… but are you living for money or do you live to live?

I think a lot of people get caught up in social spending.  The spending that is associated with buying the newest device or gadget.  A lot of people do it.  They do what everyone else is doing and buy a newer car or that TV they don’t actually need. Society seems to be in constant competition over who can have the best stuff. I’m sure you too see a lot more BMW’s on the road these days. And not just those whiplash inducing 135i’s either, the 7 series. Not to mention those Aston Martin’s that resemble a whale shark. If only they actually ate up the world’s uglier, pollutant-happy cars. Though a whale shark has never looked so attractive.

Besides all the fun stuff is the negative side of money, literally the negatives. Debt. It’s so easy to rack up debt these days it’s not even funny. One credit card here, another there. Not to mention how easy it is to get a line of credit. Maybe you too still have that pesky school loan. Debt is fun to grow but the aftermath ain’t pretty, and I think it affects a lot of us in a very negative way. If you let it, it’ll strangle hold you like a python. Why? Because someone is making big money off of you, just as you want that big money to spend on things.

Now I know you’re probably coming back to the thought that you need money to live, and yes I agree. But only to a certain point.  Here’s my what I learned (well what God taught me), money isn’t the end all be all.  And its a  choice we make, either we live for money or we live to live (live for God if you’re lucky). I’ll make the bold statement of saying, I bet you’re only truly happy when you are able to stop thinking about money. Now brew that one over.

It probably wasn’t the actual object that gave you happiness, it was likely what it did for you or some interaction it caused that made you happy.   Money can bring you every thing you technically want in the world, but haven’t we seen over and over again that having everything you want isn’t what it’s cut out to be. Just look at people like Tiger Woods and rock stars. A lot of the time money leads to trouble because greed snowballs.  Want turns into want, and that want turns into more want, until it’s gimme gimme gimme.

But what about happiness? You know the kind that makes you smile from ear to ear. The kind that makes you actually like love movies, and sigh at how beautiful the sky is, and makes those small interactions with strangers some how astounding. All moments. And yes, they include things like the driving experience of the Aston Martin.

Money can be great, but it comes at a price if you live for it. It will make you work very hard for it, and there will never, ever be enough.  Case in point. Or you could live a happy life, with the things you need, evolving while you learn and grow.  Sounds pretty sweet to me. So what’s it take? Easy, just put your mind back on your mind, and a whole lot less on your money. I really do believe Snoop Dog had this one wrong.

So do yourself a favour and pick. Do you want to live your life for money (blue pill), or do you want to live to live (red pill)?

And if you choose the blue pill, here’s what you’re up against. These famous billionaires have a leg up on you, but if money means that much to you, you’ll of course want the most money out of anyone. Otherwise what’s the point of living for money?

The point of this all is to remind you to enjoy life. Every little bit of it. From the journey to the end game. It’s a beautiful thing. Just don’t live for the money. Enjoy it when it’s around, but don’t let it be your reason for living.  There so much more out there to live for if you let yourself live it!

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