Money or your life - which has more value?
Posted by Faith, 26 January 2010
How do we measure the real value of a person?
Is it defined by their:
- Bank balance?
- Size of house?
- Type of car?
Or is it?
- In our character and behaviour towards others?
- The mark we make on the world?
- Words spoken about us when we leave the room?
We like to think that it is the second group that illustrates who we really are and what we bring to life.
Why is it then, that the most common measure of value we use today is money?
Perhaps it is because the dictionary leads us to believe it is so. The Oxford Dictionary states that money is a medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes. It also provides another one-word definition: wealth. The Collins Dictionary tells us that money is a measure of value, a medium of exchange.
It all sounds logical, factual and accurate. One item is provided in exchange for another. Under this guise money has no personality, emotional or sentimental value.
The problems begin when we attach feelings of value to an item received in exchange for money. A car, for example, which is designed to take us from point A to B. Some cars do it with air conditioning, cruise control and a badge like Audi, BMW or Ferrari. Others will have a solid body, four good wheels and air conditioning when you wind the windows down. Both types of car have the same purpose yet sometimes, while sitting at the lights next to the Ferrari, we catch ourselves feeling jealous or admiring of its driver. We wish that we too could enjoy the wealth and happiness we think that person has, even though we cannot know for sure whether they are happy or not. They may not be wealthy either as they could be seriously in debt due to buying the car.
The same feeling occurs when we go to a friend's house warming party. We compare their house to our own, ponder on how much it cost, discuss the furniture, landscaping and wonder how they can afford to pay for it all. If we judge the house to be "worse" than our own, we feel valuable and fortunate. But, if it is "better" we can feel unhappy or dissatisfied. Money has moved from being a basic medium of exchange to a measure of our worth as people.
However, other actions get noticed (even if they are little) and these can make a big difference to others:
- Letting a car into a long queue of traffic in the morning to help make someone else's life easier.
- Taking time out when you get home from a busy day at work to relax, regroup and let go of the stresses of your job so you can make the most of things that really matter - your partner, family, friends and pets.
- Preparing a meal or simply providing company for a neighbour or friend in need.
- Saying hello to people on the street and giving them a smile.
- Coaching sport or helping out at your club or hobby group.
It is these simple but important things that provide real value to anyone's life.
Don't get caught in the trap of thinking that the amount of money you have defines the 'value' or 'wealth' in your life. Ask yourself, "What can I do to ensure that my legacy is one I can be proud of and shows how I know the real value of life?"
There is often only one permanent marker left behind when you die, which records what sort of person you were - your headstone.
What do you want yours to read?
- Loved by family and friends
- Worked 50 hours per week and was grumpy most of the time
Need more help? Check out:
- Five questions to change your life
http://www.keepingthefaith.co.nz/financial_planning_faith_blog_111109.cfm
Buy my new book Faith Speaks Money Talks to discover how to:
- Decide what is important to you
- Get a better life with the 7-week money challenge
- Smash the spending habit so you have more money for what you really want
- Stop money pouring out of your life
- Handle the big money decisions with ease
- Buy property with confidence and without going broke
- Make the most of KiwiSaver
See previous blogs:
Don't sweat the small stuff.
Can you grow a money tree?
What's holding you back?
Money or your life - which has more value?
The seven secret thieves
Five questions to change your life
Find that spark
Switching lives - what would you choose?
Who can I trust to help grow my money?
How to swim in a sea of money
Life can be unfair
The rule of happiness
No way to live
Anyone can be good with money
Best ways to warm up winter
Who wants to be a millionaire?
The secret of wealth
Keeping your money safe
Having it all
Win an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Europe (Part 3)
Win an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Europe (Part 2)
Win an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Europe (Part 1)
Make a change for good
A recipe for a happy Christmas
Nothing else matters
Rage, rage against the dying of the light
Make a wish come true
Buying or Selling a House – Those that care least, usually succeed
When is a good time to buy a house?
Sleepless Nights in a War Zone
Transitions - more life or more of the “same old, same old” boring stuff?