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Saturday, May 24, 2008

Is there security in wealth? Can money make you happy?

While planning this post I asked a friend of this site what she would like me to tackle as a topic. At first she stated that she was not sure but then immediately came up with, “How about security for money? Many people think being secured is about having money.” (By the way, her site is called Adventures of a Comsci Student and the address to her site is http://comscistudent.blogspot.com )

First, let’s look at the word security. Again back to my trusty Encarta Dictionary which defines security as follows, state of feeling of safety, freedom from worries of loss, something giving assurance, safety, precautions to maintain safety, asset deposited to guarantee repayment, and guarantor. There are more, but these should suffice. Apparently security is a hefty word affecting everything from emotion to financial growth. So on to the first question, “Is there security in having money?”

Money like everything else in your life is a tool, a weapon if you will. Like I have said before, weapons are only as good or effective as the person using them. This being the case, all weapons (or tools if you prefer) are just as capable of being a liability as they are of being an asset. Case in point, we have all heard of unfortunate chainsaw accidents as well as stories of the guy who won millions in a lottery only to end up broke and in jail a relatively short time later. We should now be able to deduce that money, in and of itself, cannot provide security. Can money move you in the right direction?

There is an old saying that money begets money. It is usually taken to mean that when you have money and invest it wisely, the more money you will make to reinvest. This cycle continuing until you’re extremely wealthy living the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Try looking at it this way. I have been saying that positivism and decision making, motivated by positivism, will create results filled with positive energies that translate into the attraction of a multitude of opportunities, which if taken advantage of, will better your position in your own universe. Could you agree that wealthy folk have fewer monetary worries than us average folk? The amount of worries may stay the same or even increase, but the focus will change. Once wealthy, priorities with regards to money usually evolve from trying to create wealth to maintaining, expanding, and guarding it. The stress and worry involved in not having money is and of itself a factor which drives negativity making being positive about money itself a difficult task indeed. So if the presence of money can foster positivism and the absence of it breed negativity, we now have a catch22. What comes first?

Ultimately, you CAN be positive and CREATE the environment for opportunity even without money. You just have to decide that this is what you want and make it happen. You will see that the more opportunities that you are presented with and take advantage of the easier it will be for you to advance your position in your own universe. Can money move you in the right direction? Yes it can, but the initial lack of it will have to be overcome by “YOUR DECISION” to change your position in your own universe.

28 comments:

Ennah, the comsci student said...

hi! it's nice to help you about what topic to discuss and I would like to thank you for promoting my site as well.

I think many people think security is having money because they would be assured that they can buy their basic necessity.

But as what you said, there's more stress in focusing on your wealth and that money, great amount of money, will not give you the true security that a person needs.

Keep blogging and take care.

HEALTH NUT WANNABEE MOM said...

I enjoyed this. I always have thought the more money that I have the more money I would spend so not sure where it would all get me but the opportunities to better myself I will strive for.

David Tamayo said...

Actively pursuing the means by which to pay for basic necessities is the way to address that type of stress. The worry or act of stressing out will surround the issue with negativity, driving away opportunity to take positive action. You must not allow the thought that a negative result to your circumstance is even possible. Sounds difficult, but it part of taking control of your own universe. Thanks for your support. =)

The_Sphinx's World said...

Is there security in wealth? I should say being wealthy means being secured from want of the basic necessities of living life comfortably. If you are comfortable and work hard to stay comfortable by guarding and maintaining your financial status, then, there is no reason why you will feel negative. After all, your universe will stay in orbit.

Can money make you happy? Honestly, yes, it would be a big factor in being happy. You get to have what you need without worries of where to get the money for the next need, so this would make you worry-free and happy.

David Tamayo said...

Hello sphinx,

Yes, your sentiment is exactly right. It is for this reason that the more wealth you accrue, wealth itself becomes self fulfilling. Kind of like compounding interest. When you can be confident in what wealth you have positivism is easier to maintain. The positivism itself will deliver more opportunity to keep the wealth flowing. Just be sure to use your positive "collateral" from that part of your life to benefit the other parts. Great to see you.

cathara said...

money isnt really everything, but it would help an individual to get secured.i,as one, experienced that even making more money wont make me really happy at all. theres more to life than being wealthy, but i think human has no satisfaction thats why. i think your next topic should be about human satisfaction, lol.

-catea

Soge shirts said...

Good post once again. Having a positive attitude that always moves forward and dwells on the positive will lead to more money over time as long as one is active. But money itself doesn't directly correlate with security as like you say the person who has the money determines their own level of security money or not.

Anonymous said...

The saying, the grass is always greener applies here, I think. Those who don't have money think that it solves everything. In my experience, those with what I would consider more than enough money have all the same problems, issues, neuroses, etc., with the added problems that too much wealth brings to their young children (materialism, access to "recreational chemicals," etc. Give me just getting by but happy every time!

David Tamayo said...

I am so proud to be surrounded by such an awesome group of people. =)

Anonymous said...

Great post! I agree with you. The more money you have, the more worries you get (how should I invest them, what if I lose them all, and so on). Money don't give a feeling of safety, contrariwise, the more money you have, the more you’ll be afraid for your possessions! May be this article will help someone to understand that (as you said) money is only a tool, not the way to security (and happiness).

Unknown said...

I would rather having sleepless nights thinking how to manage loads of money than having sleepless nights thinking how to pay my bills.
Good post dude!

FANCY said...

Ok... I know what I can do without money,;-) Life is just a little bit easier with a little coins in the pocket? I don't think I can be happier with a lot of it but just a little more than enough is ok for me...great post :)

ssgreylord said...

Being new to your site, I am impressed with your ideas and your ability to communicate them.

My opinion about money is that it only complicates matters. When you don't have it, you wish you did and are not happy until you do. When you do have it, it seems you spend all your time chasing for more and thinking that if you had more, you'd be even happier.

So it's a tricky, losing battle. I think the secret is truly being happy with what you have.

David Tamayo said...

To: ssgreylord,

Thank you for the kind words and you are right, one should always try to be happy with what one has. It is called gratitude. When you acknowledge all the things that you have or that are good about your life, this in itself allows positivism to thrive. It is like seeing the glass as half full instead of half empty. =)

Unknown said...

David, i am linking your site to mine.Appreciate if you could do the same.Thanks!

Erik said...

As a massage therapist and counselor,I work with people of all economic backgrounds.

I have found that those who follow their dreams have the richest lives and loves.

I work with several people that make $1-4 million per month. It's amazing how people surrounded by so much opulence can be so miserable. With wealth comes much responsibility and many worries.

Wealth is likely not measured by reserves of fiat currency.

David Tamayo said...

Hello eric,

You are so right. Control over your universe is a daunting thought to some. Your universe entails your life in its entirety. We can find comfort in the fact that there is something positive about everything that could possibly confront you in life. The challenge sometimes is finding just what that is. Rich or poor your dreams are within your reach if you decide that you want to touch them.

PAUL STEWART said...

Really i don't think there is any security in wealth, wealth is the main thing from which people find them unsecured...But yes money can make anyone happy ...from child to old...

David Tamayo said...

Thanks paul!

I know that all the great comments are helping somebody someplace. You should all be proud of yourselves. =)

GetSmartGal said...

Great post, I just made a comment on a blog where I said that thoughts and emotions are contagious-if I am going to create an epidemic I would like it to be a positive one.

I was watching Donny Deutsch a while back and he had Russell Simons on (very wealthy right) but what struck me about Russell was his laid back demeanor and a comment he made "money can't make you happy but happy can make you money." I love it!

FANCY said...

I'm really glad that I could put a smile on your lip to no money at all - all was free...;-)

David Tamayo said...

Hello fancy,

Good friends like you are invaluable. I am proud to have you as my friend. =)I am proud of everyone here. =)

Bader Jundi said...

i might disagree with you here, having lots of money doesn't stress me out at all, I love making money and enjoys every moment i spend working while the real time in which i get really depressed is Christmas as i cant call dealers talk with him, fax her and instead i have to see relatives whose i don't like at all.
i agree money doesn't buy you happiness but being poor wont make you happy either.
the only happiness factors money cant buy is family, friends, and love but these factors can be fulfilled by both rich and poor people.
after all to be with a girl who you love makes you happy but to be with her in a 7 stars hotel makes you way happier.

David Tamayo said...

Happiness and all its trappings are always relevant to the life of the person living it. I think if you read the post again, you will find that we actually agree to a greater extent than you might think.=)The very fact that you like making money and having been successful at it begets positivism. Your stresses and problems still exist. Remember that money is a fine ingredient to accentuate life, like saffron. Or a tool to add to the experience of life. But it does not create happiness. You create the happiness for yourself using the money as a catalyst. When you say "poor" not making you happy, you are correct. Just like "rich" not making you happy. In either state, your life is your own to make with it what you want it to be. Take care my friend, and I want you to visit often. We can sit and talk about 7 star hotels. =)

Anonymous said...

I don't think money is security, but having money relieves a lot of pressure and worries and when you don;t have those worries it can make you feel more secure.

You have lots of great info on your site. I really enjoyed reading it.

David Tamayo said...

Hello sheila,

I couldn't agree with you more. Of course the pressure and worries that are relieved by having money are not the only pressure and worries that we can have. The idea is to understand that it should be your gaol to control your life no matter where you are financially. When you can live a balanced positive life you can enjoy an all around more fruitful positive existence. Thanks for participating. =)

Unknown said...

Time for a new post my man :)

David Tamayo said...

Thanks, I agree. I am working feverishly on it now. =)