Sometimes I worry we focus too much on the material wealth, and not enough on the joy / wealth of living, and just being happy with what we have.
I hurt my back earlier in the year at the gym. I spent 2 days in absolute agony. I never knew it could hurt to breath, or that the pain could literally make me sweat and nearly black out just trying to get out of bed. I honestly don't know how people with chronic pain cope.
I was rather downfallen that so many people would push past me while i was valiantly trying to climb some stairs at the train station on my way to see if the chiropractor could help, though one woman did ask me if I was OK. I was so scared to fall over because i didn't think I could get up again with the pain. It had been bad enough getting out of bed when i could eventually get my legs over the edge.
So to me wealth is having a healthy body and being able to do the simple things. I don't think there's any amount of money that would be worth giving up the wealth of independence.
When I went to my year 12 reunion in 2000 I noticed that the seemingly most happy ones were those who had such "small" lives. It was like they grew up in a valley and every so often looked to the top of the valley hills, enjoyed the view, then went back to what they were doing with nary a thought about what was beyond their sight. Seems once you want to know what's over the hill, you can't quite maintain that sense of happiness.
As others have said, we're probably in the top 15% of the richest humans to have ever lived on the earth. We buy clothes and don't even wear them, yet 60 years ago my dad had a good set of clothes and a couple of worn sets for school and working on the farm. He hardly wore shoes unless he really had to so they wouldn't wear out too quickly and be passed on to the next youngest.
I think it's part of growing up poor. I never really wanted much of the material things in life. Could get books for free at the library and spent most warm days at the beach. i see some of my friends always on the fashion escalator (which goes down) and the mad scramble they have to keep in vogue. Costs them a fortune. I'm happy with my less fashionable look that stands the test of time, and much easier on the wallet.
It's not the absolute level of material wealth, more how you perceive it, and how happy you choose to be. I prefer to enjoy what I have than constantly trying to add to it.
If I can attain the wealth to let me work for what I enjoy, not for a living, I'll be a very happy camper
Yeah I am in the same camp, I don't really want to make a lot of money, more money at the expense of other things doesn't do anything for me right now
Right now I am stress free, have heap of time, I get to do thing thing I enjoy everyday...
I am in a goldilocks stage and would not swap for more money
or anything else to upset the current position...
