Fear and Money: How Wealth or Poverty Control Our Lives
Struggles are a part of life as we know it. There is never going to be a way to completely avoid dealing with them. Unfortunately, they are also going to be different for each one of us. Some of us may have a harder time dealing with health issues at times, while others deal with lack of job opportunities to support our own lives and families. So what would help solve our problems? Money? Time?
While it is easy to think there is a quick fix out there which might provide a better life for us such as wealth, we are sadly mistaken. Money will not be able to provide the ultimate fix to troubles we are having in our lives. Some may disagree with me here, however, I will elaborate. Let me pose a question, “Can you predetermine or control what struggles or problems you will have in your lifetime with 100% certainty?”
The Simple Truth
If we are honest with ourselves, the short answer is “No” we cannot provide that level of certainty. We can certainly try to live healthy lives, save our money, and do our best in everything. However, this will not detour the unforeseen circumstances. For example, I have been in three car accidents in my lifetime. Luckily none were too terrible. However, I did not plan to be involved in any of them. Ultimately, I do not know what tomorrow is going to bring, but I cannot let that control how I am using my time or my money now.
Wealth and poverty are tricky things. Mainly because they have subjective levels depending on the person who is viewed and who is doing the viewing. A millionaire compared to a billionaire is far less wealthy, however, a millionaire compared to most of us is far more wealthy. Even in poverty there are differences. The average poverty level across the nation is approximately $34,000 for a family of four. If you are making more than this in your family income, you are doing great! Unfortunately, compare ourselves to others who might make a little more than we do. Thus, creates this craze of wanting more and more.
Stop and Think
It would be so easy to blame your job, your situation, or life in general for the issues we face. However, even if you think you are in the worst spot, stop and think about two things.
- It could be worse.
- This cannot last forever.
Your life has meaning wherever you are at. It is not the money that defines who you are. Do not let it hold you back in the things you want to accomplish or the things someone else is pushing you to accomplish for good. Wealthy people will have a hard time letting go of money because it is a symbol to others and it gives them validation. The middle class and poor feel like they don’t have anything, and will try to hold on to money or waste time trying to make a little more. It is a safety blanket which we don’t want to give up. We know we aren’t rich, but what little we do have gives us a little comfort for tomorrow.
In each instance therein lies the issue of unwilling or fear to relinquish what ultimately means nothing! You cannot take it with you! Imagine what you could really accomplish in life if you stopped letting the “what-if” fear control your life? Who could you help? What could your time be used for? Would these things be far more valuable than the paper in our pocket or the digital numbers which attempt to value our lives?