The desire for a better life is the engine that drives each of us. How we define “a better life” is different, of course. Yet, I would be willing to bet we have all said; “I don’t want to be rich, I just need enough money to do the things I want to do in life–those things I’m passionate about,” in defining what a better life means for us.
We have been conditioned by family, friends, and culture to believe we can engage in our passions only if we have enough money set aside to allow ourselves the luxury. So, we chase the money. We constantly look for higher-paying jobs; we work longer hours, and some of us work more than one job–not be because we need to make ends meet today, but because we want to enjoy our lives tomorrow.
Most of us discover we never have enough money to do the things we want to do, regardless of how long we’ve been working. There’s always something that causes us to put off those things to make our life better or more fulfilling now because money is always scarce and time is plentiful.
Stop what you’re doing for a minute and think about the work you do each day. Are you doing this work because you love it and couldn’t dream of doing anything else? Or are you buying time while something better comes along to give you more money, or more prestige, to allow a better life down the road? If you’re doing what you love, congratulations! If you’re not, what happens to the better life you’re planning should you be hit by a truck on your way home from work?
It’s a gruesome thought, but it has been known to happen.
What would happen, do you think, if you only said you were no longer going to wait for the money before doing those things that give you great pleasure in living? What would happen if you followed your passion today? You would certainly be happier. There’s a good chance the money for the things you need, although maybe not the money for the things you want, would somehow manage to find a way into your pocket.
Most of us chase something in life. There are far better things to chase than the elusiveness of money and prestige, don’t you think?
What do you chase? Is it something that matters to you?
Image Source: Monopoly, John Morgan. Used under Creative Commons License.
