MPmomof3American Money Mentality
March 15th 2010 19:08
:
The dark side of money
The rat race of middle class living in America is all too familiar to many of us. We are constantly struggling to get ahead but just keeping up with the bills. Our goal is to avoid poverty and maybe, just maybe, one day make it into a better financial state. We dream of winning the lottery or receiving a huge inheritance from a long lost relative or some other financial windfall. At the end of the day, however, we find ourselves unhappy, exhausted and dreaming of retirement. It doesn't have to be this way, however. We can have a different money mentality.
The key, in my opinion, is to be thankful for what we have. I watch reality shows on television all the time that feature rich people trying to stay on top of the latest fashion trends and own the nicest houses. Nearly every one that I have seen seems absolutely miserable. It's still a rat race at the top, just a different kind of rat race. On the other side of the coin, there are Americans who fall below the poverty line. Many of them are single parents just trying to survive. Others are there because of different circumstances or lifestyle choices. There are those who are content living in poverty and those who are not. I think of the three income categories I have observed, however, I have personally seen more people who are poor and happy than I have middle class and happy or rich and happy. Why? My theory is that the poor people I have observed know that although money is an essential tool for survival. It is not all there is to life. There are many other important things in life.
Please note that I am not suggesting that everyone should be poor. What I am saying, however, is that everyone should realize that there is more to life than money. Think about your friends, family, church and other relationships in your life. Don't let the pursuit for the "almighty dollar" control you. Notice that money is a part of life, not life itself. See if that doesn't give you a whole new perspective on life altogether.
The key, in my opinion, is to be thankful for what we have. I watch reality shows on television all the time that feature rich people trying to stay on top of the latest fashion trends and own the nicest houses. Nearly every one that I have seen seems absolutely miserable. It's still a rat race at the top, just a different kind of rat race. On the other side of the coin, there are Americans who fall below the poverty line. Many of them are single parents just trying to survive. Others are there because of different circumstances or lifestyle choices. There are those who are content living in poverty and those who are not. I think of the three income categories I have observed, however, I have personally seen more people who are poor and happy than I have middle class and happy or rich and happy. Why? My theory is that the poor people I have observed know that although money is an essential tool for survival. It is not all there is to life. There are many other important things in life.
Please note that I am not suggesting that everyone should be poor. What I am saying, however, is that everyone should realize that there is more to life than money. Think about your friends, family, church and other relationships in your life. Don't let the pursuit for the "almighty dollar" control you. Notice that money is a part of life, not life itself. See if that doesn't give you a whole new perspective on life altogether.
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