My Quora Q&A: Strong Arguments Against Basing Your Life Purpose On Money
I received a question today:
What are strong arguments against basing your life purpose on money? Doesn’t with money come more achievement? Without money, can’t we not achieve our full potential? Or is this just an elitist argument from those that were born with an inheritance?
Allow me to quote Prince Ea’s video:
“A rich industrialist from the North was horrified to find a Southern fisherman just lying leisurely on his boat.
“Why aren’t you fishing?” asked the industrialist.
“Because I have caught enough fish for the day.”
“Why don’t you catch some more?”
“What would I do with it?”
“You could earn more money. With that, you could fix the motor of your boat, go into deeper waters and catch more fish. Then you would make enough money to buy nylon nets. These could bring you more fish and more money. Soon, you will have enough money to buy two boats, maybe even a fleet of boats, and then … you would be a rich man like me.”
“What would I do then?”
“Then you could really enjoy life.”
“Sir, what do you think I am doing now?” said the fisherman.”
Now allow me to tell a story of my own.
Between the end of April and the beginning of October 2017, I was homeless, couch surfing at my brother’s apartment, and living in my car.
It wasn’t all bad, I had a job. I was relatively satisfied with the gradual progress I was making. But I spent those days acquiring junk, tools to become a filmmaker. An incredible investment. They were certainly treasured by me. To be considered trash, they would also have to be another man’s greatest treasure I suppose.
But I had to suffer, stress, and starve myself just to afford a DSLR (the Canon 5D Mark II), a tripod (the Ravelli AVTP), my sound equipment (the Zoom H6), and everything in between. Later on, I realized that those gadgets and gizmos were never entirely necessary to fulfill my life’s purpose … whatever I perceived that to be. And that’s the thing: achievement is subjective.
While those tools helped immensely, I was no happier by the end of it. In fact, I was worried that they’d never be put to use. I still dreamt of flying a DJI Mavic, skiing with a GoPro … twas the dream of a modern filmmaker! But I’ve decided to make use with what I have, because, goddamn, I have a whole lot going for me. And so do you. We have access to Quora in the first place.
That’s wealth enough for me. The wealth of knowledge.
Make way for the Knowledge Knights!
Too often we base success on fame and material gains. Countries beside the US generally agree that wisdom is the highest wealth. Too often you chase the next item or the next box on your to-do list, both of which are never-ending pursuits.
Money is able to fund great things but it is not necessary to achieve great things. What is required of us is incentive. Why are we doing what we’re doing? Is there a higher meaning? Or, as it is phrased in most cases …
Is the check big enough?
And this begs the question: how would you define ‘riches?’
Millions of people find immense satisfaction in picking berries, riding horses, sharing a campfire with their community … small acts that don’t require money. Many indigenous cultures lack a definition for currency, yet these aforementioned pastimes are signals of great success for their chieftains (aka the tribal elites).
Who needs a silver platter when you’ve got one on your face?
Some people have found great satisfaction in earning money, just for the hell of it. Take Warren Buffet for example.
“Making money isn’t the backbone of our guiding purpose; making money is the by-product of our guiding purpose. If you’re doing something you love, you’re more likely to put your all into it, and that generally equates to making money.”
— Warren Buffett
Once again, achievement is subjective. Warren’s found his purpose in business and investing. As long as you can use your means for a greater good than merely profit, abundance of that kind will be your natural birth right.
According to karma and the Law of Exchange, “give and you shall receive.”