Have you noticed how rich people get into so much trouble when their needs to survive are already met and exceeded? Look at Michael Jackson, with all that talent and money, how screwed up the poor guy was. Whether it is Britney Spears or Howard Hughes, I don’t care, it is really rare that people who are extremely successful in their endeavors can stay focused and find other positive channels for their energy.
Off hand, I can only think of a few examples, Paul Newman, Bill Gates who have managed to maintain some semblance of a normal existence and relationships. They both have found other “work” to focus on. We all want to win the lottery but 5 years later, the ones who were happy before the win are still happy and those who were not; are still not. I find this fascinating. How many times have we wished to win the Lotto 649 and take us away from our day to day grind for our paycheck?
What we crave is freedom, freedom to tell those who treat us badly that they can take it and shove it. I’ll admit to wanting to do this on many, many occasions. I have even fantasized about it. Going up to a person who has really hurt you or made you angry and telling them what you think. I know for sure that the fantasy is better than the reality but I would still like to find that out for myself. It’s like the party you’ve been looking forward to for weeks; the reality is rarely as exciting as the anticipation. Remember Christmas when you were a kid. Counting the days….
We need to struggle so that we can feel good when we bring that paycheck home, provide for our children, buy those gifts for our loved ones or when we pay off the car or the mortgage. We need to work for something even if it is not paid work. We all need to feel useful. I learned at a very tender age that money would not be where I would find my happiness. When my Mum died when I was 15 my Father was well off but he didn’t have his wife anymore and we didn’t have a Mother and no amount of money was going to change that.
I get a huge kick out of buying really nice clothes, at the cheapest possible price. Now if I had a gazillion dollars I wouldn’t bother doing that. I’d just order my butler to go and pick up my purchases and I would sit and eat bon bons on the settee (that’s a couch but much more expensive). I buy basically new things on Craig’s list for my Granddaughter. Last week I bought one of those saucer exerciser things for $25 from a lovely couple in NDG, it was over $100 to buy new and it was absolutely perfect. I experienced such pleasure in giving that to her, it’s not even funny. What was even funnier was the guy was my age and he was telling me he became a father at 49 and I said I became a grandmother at 49. We had a good laugh but frankly I’m glad I’m not him. I love being a Grandmother, it is awesome.
So the morale to this story if there is one, is that it is good to work for the things we get, we appreciate them more. Now get back to work.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed to have future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Related posts:
- Get Up, Get Dressed and Show Up
- Relationships and Financial Independence
- Go Get Happy … Please
- No resolutions – multiple choice(s)
- Becoming a Grandmother – the Sequel
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I think you’ve stumbled onto something very interesting here, Kay. This is a topic I think we’ve all debated at some level or another with our friends or family.
My own view on “celebrity madness” is that it is the alarming lack of genuine human contact, in the lives of these modern-day Greek gods, that seems to eat away at their ability to cope with everyday life. Money and fame certainly contribute to setting up this kind of surreal environment for celebrities where they all-too-seldom hear crucial words like “no” and “you can’t have/do/buy that right now”. I think being periodically denied things in life can contribute to a healthier sense of self. It certainly keeps me grounded in some kind of a reality. As the old adage goes, “Everything has a price”.
I guess what it comes down to is values and principles and what importance they truly occupy in your life. Friends are essential as well, true friends that will treat you the same way they did before you ascended to Mount Olympus. It comes down to what I call the “starting-package”; the beliefs and emotional maturity that you bring along with you on every one of life’s new adventures. It takes time and nurturing to develop your “starting-package”, and I suspect people Like MJ and Paris Hilton never much of an opportunity (or the motivation) to develop their own.
Just my two cents here…
Wow, I think I hit a nerve Jason. You are still young and inflexible. Life is still black and white for the most part. Enjoy it. As times goes by life becomes more and more grey. No really good guys, nor villains.
Just a bunch of us trying to do our best whatever it is. I cannot wait for you to have your baby and see how you evolve as a person. Naturally you are already perfect so there is little room for improvement, just a little polish. Thanks for sharing, really valuable feedback. All the best Jason.
Thank you so much Kay, you’re the best.
Right you are. I’ve felt and said this many times. I think also of the people who think they want to retire, then find out their bored. Being bored makes them hurt and age more. People should find good things to do with their time, their energy, their money. I too thought Paul Newman when I began reading your post. MJ was a sad pathetic person, it troubles me people so idolized him. In my opinion, he did nothing to warrant it. He didn’t build schools or hospitals for those in need, he didn’t send sick kids to camp, he didn’t feed the hungry, solve the homeless proplem, etc.
Nice post
Thanks for placing my advert, it’s appreciated. Hope you’ll swing by for a visit, the welcome mats always out.
Sandy