What’s going on world? Let’s talk about duckets, cheese, feta, guap, bread, dough, loot and the most common term for this bearer instrument…money. Many of you may be familiar with the phrases “money makes the world go round”, “money is the root of all evil”, “more money more problems”, but what is money really and what is its value to you?

Money in any capacity is a medium of exchange commonly found in the form of coins and banknotes that are offered as equal trade for services and goods. Money is simply what is needed to acquire things that we want, but how much money is really required to live the good life? In my life, I have learned to compete against myself as the only person that I am working to be better than, however, if you compare yourself to other people financially you are wasting your time. There is no doubt that someone in the world makes more money than I do right now, and in the same regard I know there are others that I make more money than and both of these scenarios matter none. Within the dynamic of having more or less money many of us eat, drink, and survive daily. So since the rich and the poor, both exist together, what value does money really have?

Money may possibly be one of the greatest misconceptions in the world. It is believed that money can give you joy, happiness, peace, and all the things that you desire in life, but frankly my friends that is a lie. Money doesn’t get you anything itself, but it does give you the opportunity to buy more things, and in some instances more challenges. For example, if you are hungry, money can’t be eaten to sustain your physical needs for nourishing your physical body. Yes, money can buy you food if you are in a place that accepts this currency for barter, however, if you have only money you won’t be able to sustain yourself with it. Money won’t change your attitude towards life because money can’t make you happy, money can’t make you sad, and in fact, money can’t really do anything outside of bartering for things. Money itself is transferable, and because of this, you see people become rich, become broke, and become rich and become broke again.

It is perceived that making a lot of money will warrant the best life as a result, however, both the rich and the poor can be equally happy or unhappy. If you find yourself searching and chasing money, you are unfortunately running in place and will never achieve your quest because money is constantly being created and its value is in a continued state of flux. The best way that I have learned to acquire more value and more money is through running and chasing your passions because this pursuit of money will find you. In this manner, you are going to be sustained through the efforts of your toil, and you will receive money as the fruits of your labor. Because there is no amount of money that makes you rich, you can live a rich life without having large amounts of money.

Below is a quick reminder to help free your mind from the control of money, as there are things far more valuable to consider.

1. Money can buy books, but it can’t buy knowledge, wisdom, and experience
2. Money can’t buy you more days on this earth
3. Money can buy thrills and distractions, but it can’t buy serenity and inner peace
4. Money can’t buy you happiness, you’re happy or you’re not
5. Money can buy expensive watches, but it can’t buy time
6. Money can’t buy you, love, because love is something you feel not something you can purchase
7. Money can buy life of leisure, but it can’t buy purpose, passion, or meaning
8. Money can’t buy you height. If you’re short you’re short, so love yourself through learning to value your stature
9. Money can buy extravagant vacations to exotic places, but it can’t buy a close-knit family
10. Money can’t buy inner beauty, no matter how much money you spend on outerwear

I leave you with some Lyrics from Prince and the New Power Generation’s song “Money Don’t Matter 2 Night” and I hope that you can reflect on these words as you consider what value money has in your life.