Quote from: MarjorieZimmermanGinger on Today at 03:17:03 AM

Quote from: slapper on July 28, 2025, 07:45:49 PM

personal action often matters more than waiting for some national "growth" to trickle down. In the end, each of us has to grab our own shot at better skills, side hustles, or learning new things, especially when everything feels uncertain. I can associate myself with your idea of how more money, more time is not automatic. And when people do get some money, they tend to exchange it with busier lives, new anxieties, or simply greater expectations. It is a weird contradiction - the more you get, the less free you feel

You mention gratitude. I think that is a real "wealth" a lot of statistics miss. The statistics indicate that even in some of the not so rich nations, people are still happier, likely due to their ability to concentrate on what they have rather than what they lack

That's the key, although people see this as simple, the effect is profound. Let's assume that we achieve our goals in the work we do, and oftentimes we never feel satisfied because of our high aspirations. In my country, earning $250-$300 per month is enough to live comfortably and is far more than enough, yet people still consider that income small. Why? Because of high aspirations and not being grounded in gratitude for all we have.

This doesn't mean we give up on our situation, because with that assumption, people can still set aside a little money for investment. So, what are we really looking for in this world, besides peace and a happy life with our families? Sometimes having a lot of money doesn't guarantee happiness or time with our families.

Having a lot of money does not guarantee happiness, because not everything can be bought with money but having a lot of money makes life easier because we have more choices and a wider range of movements and opportunities. "Being rich" doesn't just mean having a lot of possessions, but also being rich in heart or soul, means being content with what you have and not being greedy for other people's possessions.

What's happening now is that social media has given rise to standardized measures of success. Many people flaunt their success, and the majority of viewers aren't interested in the process, only captivated by the results and the illusion of instant achievement. Unintentionally, many people set goals for themselves based on the achievements of others.