SlyStone
Posts: 398
Joined: 12/23/2006 From: Chicago Status: offline
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quote:
I grew up poor and seemingly always hungry. I will take the security and pleasures that having some money in the bank can lead to. I personally do not buy that money creates unhappiness but people pursuing a wealthy lifestyle and thinking that is success or failure and thinking it is an inherent right or they just deserve it often does. I agree with this. I personally don't know anyone over the age of forty with money who doesn't feel a certain level of stress at this moment because they worry about maintaining a lifestyle for which they have grown accustomed at a time when it is very difficult to maintain, let alone grow, wealth. It is not wealth or the need to demonstrate it that creates stress, it is the pursuit of it, and the fear of losing it, and the more you have the more you have to lose, it is a simple truth. For those did not grow up with money and then start making it, there is always a fear that tomorrow it could all be gone, and that is especially true right now. So while it is true that money does provide security and freedom from material need, there must also be a tremendous sense of freedom in shedding the need itself. And for some of us there is also a sense of guilt that comes with wealth, how can I have so much when children are starving. I am not saying anyone should feel this guilt, but some people do. I am a capitalist for sure, if you work hard you deserve to be rewarded, but I do think that when it comes to money, a very little humility goes a long way.
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Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin
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