PIECES OF PAPER

Money, they say makes the world go round. So maybe the idea of having plenty of it sounds quite exciting at this moment. However, don't be foolish enough to believe having lots of money will make your life experience any better

There seem to be two worlds, one for people with money and apparently a less attractive world for people without...
most of us live on the non-money side, some of us are quite happy here. Although if you find yourself in the non-money world, and not entirely happy with the idea of residing here - don't worry chicken curry, you are always welcome to join the other side...all you need is a good bankroll

However, before you embark on the epic journey to wealth and riches, you should understand the money world has some nasty side streets. Let's begin with the mention of an extremely relevant point - you are never going to have enough money to satisfy yourself...

If you make a fifty thousand or a million, the route to that amount will have changed you and your lifestyle. In order to for you to maintain your new lifestyle, more cash will be needed! On and on and on you go always requiring more-and-more, this will probably continue until the day you are unable to work. Didn't you ever wonder why rich people spend their whole lives working so hard!!

Money without doubt is the world's most dangerous drug. Far worse and more additive then cocaine, heroin or crack. Yes cocaine will deplete your bank balance, while making you a self-righteous twat. Crack and heroin will make you ignore personal hygiene, sell the family jewels, steal things, maybe even mug folk

These however, are all all small bones compared to what money can make you do...
money has the ability to make people, companies and whole countries do the most obscene things - like poisoning ocean's and destroying whole forests. To creating genetically modified organisms (that's food). Selling drugs which kill thousands of people every single day (pharmaceuticals). That friendly slow killer which we actually pay for (tobacco) and last but certainly not least, the really ugly one....WAR. Now that's a genuine list of obscene things don't you think?    

The problem with pursuing money is you need to join the rat race, and you'll be running in the selfish-bastard lane

Your life will never be the same, as your reason for living will become the acquisition of objects and profit. Most importantly it makes you heartless towards the world - how else would that list obscene list of things exist!

There's a lot more to life then little pieces of paper

So how about really putting money to the test, does it really deliver happiness? In 2010, noble prize winning scientist Daniel Kahneman and Angus Deaton, published a study looking into that exact question

They analyzed the lives and incomes of nearly half-a-million randomly selected people. Digging through subjects lives, searching for indicators of “emotional well being” a clinical term for how often you feel highs and lows like “joy, stress, sadness, anger and affection” and to what degree you feel those things daily.

In other words, they measured how happy or sad people were over time compared to how much cash they made. They did this by checking if the subjects were consistently able to experience the richness of life

They discovered money is indeed a factor in day-to-day happiness. No big shock, we all need food, shelter, clothing and some good wine!  What really rocked their socks was that beyond a certain point happiness levels off. Once you go past that point you don't get any happier. Their research showed a lack of money brings unhappiness, but having an abundance of money does not have the opposite effect...in fact most found experiencing joy, far more difficult!

This makes perfect sense, there are many wealthy people who are extremely unhappy, money certainly does not come with a guarantee you will enjoy or have a good life. The road to riches can be exciting, but once you have the trappings that money brings to your life - its quite easy to to lose the feeling that life is rewarding

Take a long look at what you have around you. Understand what is really important to you. If you think the answer is still money...try looking past today's problems. Imagine a world without money, where you had to do something which allowed you to eat and live, the only condition is you must love the thing you do...what would that thing be?

The path to living a wealthy life begins by asking yourself who you really want to be. Being truthful, and taking the time to consider what kind of person you could become, when you are living that life...

See obstacles in front of you as challenges, there will be many!  Find answers, be creative, if you really want to make it happen and you have good intention, you will find a way  

Try sitting quietly for 20 minutes each day, close your eyes and imagine the things you want - you will need to do this quite a few times, its not a lighting fast process and you should NOT focus on "how is it going to happen?"
Just assume it will happen. Use your emotions to feel the process has already started, Smile as you are imagining

During your daily doings, become aware the process has begun, look out for clues, messages, and opportunities. Everything you consciously see in your mind and feel with your emotions will eventually happen

When things finally begin to happen. Think back to where you first started, smile and continue your journey...


3000monks...are beautifully rich


Autumn 2014
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