The talks of materialism in our society has been on a steady trend upwards. It seems that many people are finally coming to the realization that we are in a sort of rat wheel in a race against time to earn more "stuff".
This is not a new idea however. People have been thinking about this for hundreds of years. Ancient philosophers have been often quoted with such thoughts about materialism, time wealth and the pursuit of true happiness.
A Choice
I've been trying to make the switch in my brain to a new way of living. Living by a manner of pursuing time and experiences rather than material possessions.
I've been working my hardest to try and figure this out. Which is kind of counter-intuitive because many people would expect that if you want to be time wealthy, then you must give up everything and become a monk or alternatively become ultra-rich (in terms of money) and buy back your freedom of time.
These are both untrue. There are better ways!
In my own life, I've found that there's a sort of switch in the way that you think about possessions, about earning money and about wealth.
Once you flip the switch, the world opens up with possibilities. New opportunities come to light, obligations to possessions dissipate and what's left is a much happier and optimistic world view.
A world view that there is so much out there to see and so much time to do the things we want to do and love in this world. I don't want to just sit around and work all day like everyone else.
The pursuit of material wealth is an empty one. You'll never feel as though you have enough and you'll never feel as though you're truly successful, no matter how much stuff you acquire.
How to Make the Choice
Making the choice to flip this switch is a difficult one, but it needn't be. It's a choice that you make today. Right now.
To start, you should figure out what you truly want out of life. A big house and a Ferarri are just illusions. What do you really want out of life? Do you want to travel the world? Meet interesting people? Write about your adventures? Write short stories? Do videography and photography?
Write these down. The true things that you want to do in life.
From there, figure out how much money you would need to save for this to happen. If you're already making a lot of money, then you have it much easier. You can save that money away and build a passive income. If you're not making a lot of money, then you're just going to have to work harder.
You're going to have to put extra time and effort into building your dreams, but that's ok. Save now. The journey begins here.
What are you actually trying to pursue in life, once you've decided that materialism isn't your ultimate pursuit?
What you are saying is so true. I lived in a mansion once and was working myself to death to stay in it. One day I had the chance to work on a law case with the richest trial lawyer in the state of Texas. He was worth over $400 million dollars and lived in a $10 million dollar home. He worked over 70 hours a week, had no children and 3 divorces. He lived alone in that sprawling, 8 bedroom home. I asked him why he kept working an exauting schedule when he had already ammassed so much wealth. He said "you don't know?" "Don't know what," I replied. "There is never enough." A couple years later he died in a car wreck when he was speeding in the rain to make an appointment. That was when I snapped out of my trance. I made changes. I got out from under the huge house note. I downsized and started working fewer hours and spending more time with family and friends. Chasing material goods is a dead end. It just looks so bright and shiny from the outside that people imagine it will bring them happiness. It won't. Of course you need your basic needs met, but after that I say go for experiences.
Hi,
You are absolutely correct. Money cannot give all the happiness. Money is required but up to some extent. We should always have time for family. Family first remaining all later.
Totally!!! money is not a prerequisite to success.. It's acutally a byproduct of someone who is living a successful lifestyle - when success is defined more so as one's fulfilment rather than one's bank account!
Hi,
Money cannot give all the happiness. We required money for daily need. We should not think money is life and everything.
We should have enough time for family and relationship.
We can find some many poor people living happily even though they don’t have money.
Thanks for this articles.
I agree!! Its important to always keep a healthy perspective and know what you truly want out of life!
Thank you KVNQ!! I appreciate the support, any other details I should know of?
With all the limitations in English, I try to understand what you say, I finally understand that our journeys life is very close to what we see. If wealth, matter and power is success, then we will exploit our body and mind to realize that.
Everything is false in reality, there is no happiness and calmness to realize it but only fatigue we did it.
Living our life is looking for calmness. Live wholeheartedly what we want even though it doesn't work.
We not bring Property, Position and Power until death, because all of it is just a part of our lives in the world.
Only sincerity and positive view make us calm and happy and there is no burden.
Thank you for your kindness @gallerani and God bless you.
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hola me gusto mucho tu información sincero lo que aveces uno anhela simplemente es en casarse tener hijos una casa y un carro y trabajar jajajaja en eso se resume la vida del 90% de los humanos.
Y te digo el porque simplemente los sueños de grandezas que tantos tienen en su infancia cambia por lo duro que se pone la vida
ya sea basándose unos en los errores que se comenten se va perdiendo la ambición, la pasión de los sueños y se termina como te dije al principio te casas luego tienes hijos y luego nietos es todo
yo pienso que también esa vida es muy enriquecedora en fin chao
soy nuevo y bueno ando en busca de amigos
When we hear success, the first thing that comes to our minds is financial success, i believe trues success comes from satisfaction the success on all or almost all of our endeavours, and we must never neglete our families and friends, we need them
Well said.. I agree with you completely. It's important to define success as being more than just monetary but more so related to your overall happiness and fulfilment in life!
Thank you yonreulpiu!!
Poor are those who run behind to satisfy the senses, and rich are those who control there senses. People who control there desire are happiest and free and people who are not are poor and in bondage.
I agree! Controlling your desires is a must, especially in today's society that is so filled with distraction!!
Thank you KVNQ!!