The Drive for Money: What the Philosophers Say

All good karma!
Which pebble are you?

Money is so important to people and comes to define just about everything in our modern lives. Who are our friends, what car we drive, where our kids go to school, the social clubs we are involved in, who we date/marry and more. Certainly being poor sucks but money is the one thing that seems to be a driving force behind many of our lives and while there have been times in my life, I believe that money is important but I don't think it is the primary goal for everyone (Its a tool. Nothing more.). 

I live by the philosophy that if someone can take it, then it wasn't yours to begin with (Life of hard knocks I guess. We learn young but that learning makes us very insightful so its not a complete loss.). That comes from learning very few things in life are permanent. Enjoy each moment for what it is and then let it go. Everything in this life is on loan. That being said, most people make just about every decision in their lives about money or who has money (Some can sort of distance themselves from it and others master money.). 

There are 7 money personality types, says psychology expert. Which one are you? Some very good explanations on money. Shows different types of money personalities. There is no right or wrong. There is only seasoning on steak (Tofu if your vegan. 🤢)

Wealth can lead to more satisfying life if viewed as a sign of success vs. happiness. A new study found that viewing wealth and material possessions as a sign of success yields significantly better results to life satisfaction than viewing wealth and possessions as a sign of happiness.

I found this interesting article on money in ancient Greece. Kind of cool. Either way, money is great, feel free to make as much as your heart contends. Just don't be its slave......

I found two article I thought were sort of interesting. 

1.The Root of Money is Evil . I don't actually think money is evil at all. It is a source of good things. It separates those who know what to do with money from those who don't know what to do with it. Its a defining thing of our times and it becomes central to the modern buzz of life. Money should be used for enjoyment and life quality. Some of it should also be used for charity. A balance of self indulgence and giving hope. Two ways of using money I guess. Like Ying and Yang. I always wanted to sort of built a company for my grand kids (Boarding school dreams. I loved the days. These people taught me things just to teach me and I learned some really good stuff. Give back to the Capuchin Monks and Imams in my life. Good people. I don't really care what you think about either one. They were good people trying to good for others.) and for charity. Maybe fund a whole orphanage is sort of in my long term plans. Set it up as a separate non-profit entity self funded and focused on preparing orphans to really have a chance in the corporate world. To copartner with American companies in Mexico to develop opportunities for kids to really beat their grueling past. Its sort of long, long, term goal. Probably won't happen but you never know. Another one would be to fund gifted programs for not only American kids but also maybe international kids. A small school, highly enriched, and then perhaps set them up with companies to sponsor them in college and maximize their skills. One part of me feels like it is elitist but the other part is these kids are in their own sort of world and its not fair for them to be out there alone. They need people like themselves to really grow. Its unfair either way. Those are some serious debates and I'm not even sure how I would come out on the end of it in my perspective. 

2. How Did Philosophers Support Themselves? I find this sort of interesting. Could one in modern life support themselves purely through philosophy? (Before you judge I like what I work in now because I give back so I don't plan on me being a true Beach Bum anytime soon. More of a poser. If you see me in flip flops and my ripped jeans in Ocean Beach or in Escanaba don't blame me. I'm striving for greatness! We all have goals! Mine have always been lofty! When I think back I think I have accomplished all goals except three. I'm not going to say what those are. Either way....we are the journey. I think those three will be accomplished but I'm not 100% sure either. They are sort of those things that sort of run as a long theme.)