I’ve spent my whole life chasing money and believing that if I just had enough, my life would be great and I would be able to do the things I really wanted to do.
As my income goals grew, I started to realize that I’m never going to be happy with any amount of money.
That’s when I decided to stop waiting and start taking steps towards my goals and my passion. I know a lot of people that are still in the trap of chasing money.
They put themselves in an imaginary prison where they’re waiting for a series of numbers in the bank to align so they can do what really makes them happy.
Money is the key to happiness, but only if you know how to use it. It is not meant to enslave you. It is not meant to be used against you, but by you. Sometimes money is sparse and you have to do what you have to do. I get that.
But at the same time you can take steps towards minimizing your expenses and simplifying your life. From an early age I was of the belief that I needed a house, a nice car and all those things that society pushes upon us.
The truth is, you don’t need any of those things. You can live on the street if you want to. Why not? One of my biggest fears is being broke and not having enough financially, so I have been entertaining the thought of being homeless and being completely broke.
Is it really that bad? What is it that really scares you about that? Is it how others will perceive you?
I’ve found that the more I simplify my life, the happier I become. I don’t need stuff. At the moment I don’t have a T.V or a car, and I use a very old Nokia cell phone that I think is awesome, because it never breaks.
I could buy a lot of things if I wanted, but I choose not to. I enjoy cutting down my expenses. When I spend less, I decrease the anxiety in my life and I allow myself to focus less on money.
As you can see right now on this blog. I am not trying to sell you anything (yet 
). I am not in a hurry to do so because I live a very simple life, so I don’t have to worry about money.
I do have plans to sell products and services on this blog, but not yet. I will only sell things that over-deliver. If you spend $50 with me, I want you to get at least $100 or even $150 worth of value.
Money is the key to happiness, when you learn to mold it and use it as a tool. By not needing money, I can focus on what really matters to me.
Writing this blog. Helping you. Connecting with you. These are my passions and my goals for the coming year. I am extremely humbled by you reading this. This blog is just a baby and the support I have received so far is amazing.
Thank you!
{ 16 comments }
Hey Henri,
Money is a means to an end, not the end itself.
I like how you imply that money is a tool, a resource – not the prize to reach itself. After all, what good is gathering a lot of wood if you’re not going to make a fire or build something?
Here’s to utilizing money as a resource to live how we WANT to (not how society tells us we need to), and not letting it control us,
Oleg
Exactly. Money is a vehicle, but sometimes it is easy to forget that and think that money is the end goal. If we just have enough we’ll be (insert stuff here).
Henri,
Great post!
I also couldn’t agree with Oleg more.
Money isn’t everything but if used correctly and saw for the value it really is can be a tool for much happiness. Money itself is just a tool. It’s what you get out of life and the happiness of your inner self that makes money so great. Use it wisely and use it well and it will be with you always.
Couldn’t agree more, Eric. Money can be good or it can be bad, it is always up to you.
Great post Henri! I agree with keeping things simple and following your passions…all else will fall into place
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, Jennifer!
Money is only really a tool. It gets you some of the things that you want in life but there is no way it would make you happy. I have seen so many people chasing money but they forget to be happy as they do the journey. Have a good Xmas Henri
Indeed, indeed, Niall! First happy inside, then happy outside. That is something that has been proven to work. It seem crazy, but it might just be crazy enough to work. Merry Christmas to you too!
Our relationship with money is critical.
I’ve chased money my whole life. And this is probably why it’s so difficult.
In 2010, I’ll be “chasing value.” That is, what can I do that provides the most value. Not what I can do that gets the most money.
This is a very big shift in mindset for me.
Looks like we’re on the same path, Dave! I’ll be following your progress in 2010 and kicking your ass if you slack off
Hi Henri,
I totally can relate to what you wrote. I have come to view money as a form of energy. The more that I want it, the more I do not get it. The more I let go of worrying about it, the more easily it comes and it comes in ways that just surprise me.
Yes, money is important and is needed. The key is to know how much is enough based on how we want to live. Plus, I think many people confuse wants and needs. And having a simple life is far more enjoyable than people realize. You can still travel and see the world and still be simple.
Thanks for stopping by, Nadia!
Yes it seems illogical, but I have noticed the same pattern in my life. When I just release my worries everything seems to flow more easily. When we worry and want, we block the energy and abundance.
We’ve been trained to want a lot of money, but we really only need just enough to do what we want, when we want to do it. You can follow your passion right now. Just do it!
Just ran past you blog, I will have a good look around, looks like you have some great information.
Check out my blog. Hope I can help you out.
Luke
Nice post Henri.
Money alone won’t make you happy, but money will help you do things that you have always wanted to do, or buy the things you have wanted, that will make you happier.
I have seen some rich but very miserable people, and I have also seen some poor wonderfully happy people.
Money is a tool, use it wisely.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. Money is useful to a certain limit, it is when it starts getting overhand when it becomes a problem. Greed is something I’ve had to deal with in the past, but it was a great lesson and reminder.
I think: Money can make us happy. If we don’t have money, we aren’t happy.
Comments on this entry are closed.