When you reach a certain age, you begin to realize the importance of money. While true that “money can’t buy happiness”, it at least provides some security. Being poor is never something that one strives to attain. Many people who become extremely wealthy often grow up in poor households, which strengthens their resolve to never again relive the experience.
There isn’t anything wrong with having money, per se. Many affluent people have worked diligently to achieve the success necessary to accumulate wealth. It’s the prioritization of accumulating money at all costs that is the problem. In this relentless pursuit, many people realize that money is not, and never will be, the answer to what makes a person happy.
If you need further proof, look to Hollywood, California. How many actors, actresses, singers, and performers have we seen destroy themselves because of drugs, alcohol, depression, and other addictions?
Robin Williams, one of the best actors and comedians of all-time, committed suicide – attributed to depression and allegations of drug addiction. Williams was extremely wealthy and successful, yet the wealth was not enough to spare the great performer his life.
Money cannot buy happiness. What else can money not buy?
Here are ten things money cannot buy:
“Money has never made man happy, nor will it; there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more of it one has the more one wants.” – Benjamin Franklin
1. Love
Money can buy lust, attraction and power…but it can’t buy love. This is because love is something intimate; something heartfelt; something mysterious. Money is none of these things. Money is simply a method of exchange – no more and no less. It’s used to pay for a product or a service; its convenience, comfort, and luxury – none of which typify what human beings truly need.
Many of us find this lesson out the hard way. We accumulate more, only to feel emptier. This is because we are raised in a culture that glamorizes wealth; which, in effect, leads to misconceptions and false beliefs.
2. Truth
Money may be able to buy influence, but truths are the most influential of all. Oftentimes money is spent to push beliefs or an agenda and can even be spent to create biased research to bolster an opinion. And oftentimes, the money wins… in the short term.
In the end, no matter how much money is spent on stifling or skewing the truth, it will always be revealed.
3. Time
Each passing minute is time that you will never get back; you are one minute closer to dying. This is meant to be morbid or depressing but truthful. Our life starts to fade away from the moment we are born.
Despite all of the scientific and medical advances, no practical way exists to extend life significantly. The extremely wealthy have spent countless amounts of money in the vain attempting to extend their lives, only to discover that they die around the same age as everyone else.
No amount of money will be able to turn the clocks back. We must take life in, moment-by-moment while experiencing it to the fullest.
4. Peace
Culturing your thoughts is the only thing that will ever bring you true peace. One aspect of this is accepting when bad things happen and turning it into a positive experience.
Look at the countless amounts of money governments and individuals have spent in the name of “peace”. These vast sums have never been able to come close to what we would define as “peaceful”.
More importantly, your inner peace does not depend on your bank statement’s ‘balance’ section. It’s how you train your mind, set expectations, and define what inner peace truly means to you.
5. Talent
The gifts and abilities that you possess in your mind and body are priceless. While money can certainly help develop a talent, it will never be able to purchase a talent or skill.
Aside from innate talent, there is the ability to learn a skill or talent; this will never be able to be purchased with any amount of money. The mental processes and dexterity of the mind and body will never be purchasable…they are invaluable.
6. Health
While undoubtedly true that money can purchase healthcare and medicine, it cannot replace natural health once it’s gone. At the same time, activities like exercise, preventative medicine, and natural self-care cost little to nothing.
It’s almost depressing to see celebrities spend outrageous amounts of money in the vain attempt to keep their “natural beauty”. First off, aging is natural beauty; wrinkling is natural beauty; gray hair is a natural beauty. On the other hand, surgical procedures that implant plastic and other medicinal substances into the body? This is not at all natural.
7. Manners/Class
Rude people exist across the entire income spectrum. How to treat someone respectfully obviously does not come from money. Arguably, there are more wealthy and entitled snobs than there are those of modest means.
Money may put you into a “higher class,” but it certainly does not make you classy. Need proof? See Kim Kardashian or Miley Cyrus. Case closed.
8. True friends
Possessing money may certainly attract people who want to be friends, but it doesn’t guarantee true friendship. Most true friends love one another…and what did we discuss about money and love? The same concept applies here.
True and lasting friends are there during the ‘boom’ and still there during the ‘bust’. Money and possessions don’t matter to true friends…your person matters.
9. Knowledge
The information you accumulate, the elements of your intellect, and the ways you exhibit wisdom can never be bought. Have you ever wondered why some of the wealthiest people seem to act in the most asinine ways? This is because money or something else has influenced their thought processes.
Some wealthy people have stated how money makes them feel ‘invincible’, and as a result, have made some truly bad decisions. So it’s not only the acquisition of this knowledge that makes it invaluable, it’s the practical application of this knowledge…neither of which money can buy.
10. Presence & Acceptance
Perhaps the most important is presence and acceptance – the ability to be mindfully present and accept, without judgment, each and every situation. This tremendous, life-changing gift is not available for purchase; only to those who seek to understand and apply the concepts.
The ability to be present while accepting each moment as we navigate life is a valuable gift…more valuable than any amount of money. After all, if we are practice presence and acceptance throughout our life, what is the need for money?
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