Comparing levels of wealth

[krisbarry]

We all have this need to compare ourselves to the next....they have this much wealth and I have that.

This in turn leads to depression, low self esteem etc

Speaking with a counselor recently I am learning to block other peoples wealth levels and concentrate on my own wealth.

As soon as someone would mention they have this sorta wealth, or was given this amount of money or recieved this kinda gift, I would always compare it to my own life. Why didn't I get that, I don't own that amount of wealth etc etc

Self defeating talk, self bulling...its so destructive.

My new self talk goes along the lines of:

As long as my own wealth grows year by year, thats all that matters.

It is amazing how much better I feel, not comparing myself to the rest.

Its just a skill-set that I never had before, but which I am so glad to have now.

 

[Wysiwyg]

We all have this need to compare ourselves to the next....they have this much wealth and I have that.

I tell you what I do notice and that is the good looking females know where the wealth is. :venus:

 

[billhill]

I use others fortune as motivation. If I meet wealthy people I say to myself "I'm smarter then you and I can be more successful then you". It sounds arrogant but if you actually believe what you are saying its a very powerful motivator and thought provoker.

 

[theasxgorilla]

I use others fortune as motivation. If I meet wealthy people I say to myself "I'm smarter then you and I can be more successful then you". It sounds arrogant but if you actually believe what you are saying its a very powerful motivator and thought provoker.

...or that questions that sometimes needs to be asked...if I am smarter than you, why am I not wealthier???

 

[Rough_Trade]

...or that questions that sometimes needs to be asked...if I am smarter than you, why am I not wealthier???

For I am a Honest man.....

 

[theasxgorilla]

For I am a Honest man.....

Not bad...only 20 minutes for someone to join a line between wealth and deceit.

 

[jemma]

Why don't we all state what our net wealth is after debts and then we can test our skillset of ignoring what each other has?? Shall I go first??

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

We all have this need to compare ourselves to the next....they have this much wealth and I have that.

This in turn leads to depression, low self esteem etc

Speaking with a counselor recently I am learning to block other peoples wealth levels and concentrate on my own wealth.

As soon as someone would mention they have this sorta wealth, or was given this amount of money or recieved this kinda gift, I would always compare it to my own life. Why didn't I get that, I don't own that amount of wealth etc etc

Self defeating talk, self bulling...its so destructive.

My new self talk goes along the lines of:

As long as my own wealth grows year by year, thats all that matters.

It is amazing how much better I feel, not comparing myself to the rest.

Its just a skill-set that I never had before, but which I am so glad to have now.

Agree, mate, though you have to be careful to separate happiness, depression and drive.

Most people in developed countries who are unhappy appear to be so, because they compare themselves unfavourably to their peers.

Some are distressed because of depression or a personality structure that causes them unhappiness by clashing with others .

Others have dreadful events or illnesses affect them which saps their drive either before they are born, during birth or afterwards.

Garpal

 

[nioka]

Would someone define wealth? If you say money or physical assets then you are missing out on what wealth really means. In my opinion you are wealthy when you are in a position, financially, to do the things you want to do, you are not too old to do them any your health is satisfactory. The asset value necessary to do that varies with the individual. I'm not worth a fortune but I consider myself just as wealthy as Rupert Murdock. Thats all that really counts.

 

[2020hindsight]

Money is of no consequence unless you have none.
and there's a whole (third) world out there that (thankfully) cannot (read or) post here what they would call "wealth".
a) a meal?
b) a future?
I posted recently that I met a 40 year old man who had put a number of kids through the world vision program to the age of 16 yrs.
Now there's a man with wealth! The wealth of a clear conscience!!

sorry folks, I think we're getting too greedy The fact that we live in Aus is probably more wealth than the average mortal is gonna find in one lifetime.

My daughter has a soulmate in Mozambique - some kid she's been sponsoring for the last n years (mainly with money earned working after school at Kmart). She's wealthier than I for starters. (and she's broke as well )

 

[macca]

from Desiderata

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.


one of my favourite poems

 

[marklar]

...or that questions that sometimes needs to be asked...if I am smarter than you, why am I not wealthier???

Because you're not as well connected and don't end up on the board of a large company and get granted obscene stock options just for turning up at the AGM wearing a suit?

Personally I don't compare myself with others' wealth, it will just annoy me and give me another reason not to sleep at night.

m.

 

[chops_a_must]

If the pursuit of money is your sole drive, I'm not sure you could ever be happy. And who cares anyway? So long as you are doing what you want to do. People all too often confuse wealth with happiness.

 

[2020hindsight]

If the pursuit of money is your sole drive, I'm not sure you could ever be happy. And who cares anyway? So long as you are doing what you want to do. People all too often confuse wealth with happiness.

One wonders what is the secret to happiness. Wealth and poverty have both been shown to be irrelevant in this pursuit.
If a rich man is proud of his wealth, he should not be praised until it is known how he employs it . Socrates 470 - 399BC

 

[Smurf1976]

Not actually needing all the consumer nonsense gives me a great sense of wealth. I could easily pay cash for a big 4WD and a plasma TV. But I don't need or even want either of them.

 

[wayneL]

Not actually needing all the consumer nonsense gives me a great sense of wealth. I could easily pay cash for a big 4WD and a plasma TV. But I don't need or even want either of them.

Ditto. We've gone all Tao with regards to "wealth' and it's great for the mind.

On a similar vein a commenter om another forum had this to say about Oz:

the whole place is like some kind of surreal experiment on how materialism will eventually plunge most people into chronic depression

While I think it's an affliction affecting more than Oz, it is certainly true in my observation.

 

[The Red Baron]

Not actually needing all the consumer nonsense gives me a great sense of wealth. I could easily pay cash for a big 4WD and a plasma TV. But I don't need or even want either of them.

Thats a good point there, sometimes the biggest rush I get is riding the push bike to work. Sure I could go out buy myself a nice car, but where's the challenge in that.

 

[dodgers]

I met a guy last week, a trader, who owns 28 houses, a helicopter & a plane and has a fleet of yachts around the globe. He's not happy with his life. I consider myself far wealthier than he.

 

[Wysiwyg]

I met a guy last week, a trader, who owns 28 houses, a helicopter & a plane and has a fleet of yachts around the globe. He's not happy with his life. I consider myself far wealthier than he.

The solution to his unhappiness is to give the excess to the people (through birth situation or unforeseen circumstances) that need it.Guaranteed better than a bex and a lie down.

 

[Snakey]

Money is of no consequence unless you have none.
and there's a whole (third) world out there that (thankfully) cannot (read or) post here what they would call "wealth".
a) a meal?
b) a future?
I posted recently that I met a 40 year old man who had put a number of kids through the world vision program to the age of 16 yrs.
Now there's a man with wealth! The wealth of a clear conscience!!

sorry folks, I think we're getting too greedy The fact that we live in Aus is probably more wealth than the average mortal is gonna find in one lifetime.

My daughter has a soulmate in Mozambique - some kid she's been sponsoring for the last n years (mainly with money earned working after school at Kmart). She's wealthier than I for starters. (and she's broke as well )

Wow what a girl!!!!