The majority has an inverted value system. Experience Rich as you call it is where the value truly is.

Keep moving forward Nate! YOU ARE WAY AHEAD OF THE GAME MY FRIEND!

@ sonicsuns – What a great point, thanks for stopping by.

It’s really true. We tend to shape our interpretation of life around our present circumstances. It’s a way to cope with the psychological stress of what we perceive as not being “right” with our lives and gives us a way to accept what “is” and to still thrive….what some would call, “making the best of it.”

The argument of less versus more can be approached on so many different levels and in the end, it’s a matter of personal perspective. There is ultimately no right or wrong answer. For those who are looking through the lens formed from religious or spiritual principles, they might lean toward the less-is-more, austere lifestyle…simple abundance. Anyone looking through a humanistic lens might consider the “greater good” for mankind. If you’re someone who might be viewing life through a natural science lens, you might consider growth and abundance (as in ‘make as much money as you want and/or need, it doesn’t matter to the universe’), more money and stuff is okay…just as less is okay too; it’s all relative in the natural flow of life in the universe. If you’re looking through a materialistic lens, there’s no doubt that the best anyone can do is to be wealthy and obtain power and possessions.

There are as many ways to justify our own point of view as there are people on this planet. Personally, I feel that we’re all correct given our own unique set of biases, belief system and experiences.

Ultimately, I feel that it’s how you live your life–no matter the circumstances, no matter how much money and stuff you have–that determines the nature and quality of the human being you are.

When people meet you, they will know you only by what they see, based on how you act and what you say. Every moment, we are shaping who we are by our thoughts and actions, and are thereby shaping our world. Money is just one more tool we can use to shape our lives and effect the world. But it all begins with you.

Scott

Is it possible to have plenty of money and have a simple life of joy and adventure? I enjoy simplicity – and I’d love to have the money to hike Machu Pichu whenever I want.

@ scott – Wow, such a great comment Scott thank you! I agree, money is not bad and evil, it’s what many people do with it, and how they praise it that I have a problem with. There is no reason why someone who makes $1,000 per month can’t be just as happy (if not happier!) than someone who makes $100,000 per month. Your view on money, where having more means that you can help your family, etc., is spot on. That’s what SMART people do. Thanks again man, hope you’re having a great day, and say hi to Tammy for me.

The discussion, here, deals with the trappings of money which includes the attitudes of our culture and how it’s impressed upon us that more money is better; more stuff is better, etc. So many things are measured by this scale.

For instance, job B is better than job A because it pays more. Driving a luxury car is better than driving a more efficient and safe smaller car. Getting married to a person who is rich is better than marrying someone who is poor.

But what about the trappings of the mind?

In my opinion, it’s just as destructive to rebel so strongly against money and things just because we realize how materialistic our culture really is. While it’s true that having an unhealthy relationship with money is a path to misery, I feel that some people in our culture have gone too far the other way….not so much in how they’re living–such as giving away all their stuff and just living off the land–but in how they reach a point where they feel guilty or disgusted about having money.

The trappings of the mind might tell them that they are “one of THOSE people” if they have money and things. Think about this discussion. It mostly seems to underscore a belief that money isn’t such a good thing…at least that’s how this discussion seems to me.

I think money is neither good nor bad. Things are not good or bad. How one person lives compared to how another person lives is all relative. How each one of us uses money can be both good and bad depending on the perspective from which you view each of our circumstances. Money (and the world) looks completely different to someone living in poverty compared to someone living in luxury.

My view is that our thoughts and behaviors ultimately determine the value of our lives. Personally, I feel that having a healthy relationship with money means having greater opportunities to help the people I care about…and eventually helping the world in meaningful ways.

But definitely, live with gratitude, regardless of how much money you have. That’s when you’re focusing on experiences rather than the stuff money can buy…which is okay too. :-)

Cheers,
Scott

“you’re not your job. You’re not how much money you have in the bank. You’re not the car you drive. You’re not the contents of your wallet. You’re not your fucking khakis.”

and

“the things you own end up owning you.”

And I’m in marketing! go figure..