Money, Money, Money.

When it comes to setting target to earn, mind recalls all those expenses we had been postponing and the amount, which could cover all that, looks reasonable. However imagining an exact monthly income or a corpus amount is not feasible. Actually it is feasible but no one stops at that target even if it brings discomfort.

So what is this contraption called Money?

Money, indisputably is an important factor in life. Money not only affects the choices we make but also shapes the habits which define our character rather ourselves. Money defines our frequent social circle, in long run and relationships at any given time.
Of course there are exceptions. Few people remain as tasteless as ever notwithstanding the accumulated wealth. They continue to live in same dinghy ranch, day in and day out, without even thinking to move to more comfortable premises. They would ride same 30 years old vehicle and wear same clothes. These are people who live in extreme insecurity and can only spend in hospitals. This talk is not for those misers. Their children will love them when they are dead.
There is another type according to whom, why make effort to earn more when one can survive with less. They earn for the need of body and not for mind. This post is not about those people either.
Here I am concerned with normal people.

What is normal?

At the beginning of career, what a person need, is a job in the same field as expected. Just a job. But the problem is that every person is always on a lookout for job. There is a person whom I know for last four years. He happens to be in finance industry especially in share/commodity/currency trading. He has already handed me eight different visiting cards in last four years.
The truth is we are all running and chasing every opportunity to make money. Knocking at every door, closed or open, if there is a prospect of money.

Why this chase?

One stupid answer is that with more money there is security against disease. Normal illnesses can be taken care with regular insurance. Some chronic illnesses are better taken care with healthy lifestyle. Critical and life threatening or physical challenging health problems do require lot of financial support. But should I start planning for that? This is the most hopeless way to approach life.
But chasing targets is what we have been taught (see Military Kinder Garden) and this is what we know. Hence this is what we do. So what is the problem? Nothing as long it keeps a person happy.

Happiness

Now here lies the crux of problem. Every person whom I ask ‘Are you happy?’ answers that he is happy but soon he would be more happy!
This appears to be a riddle. How something which can not be measured or weighed, can be more or less?
Some persons whom I asked the above question answered that they never thought about it. They are so busy that they have no time to think about anything, but their work.
Actually happiness is like health. There is no definition of being healthy. If we have no illness, we are healthy. Similarly absence of pain or hurt or unhappiness is the happiness. But the more we chase, more we try to accumulate money, we end up accumulating more hurt and pain along with money.

More Research

Money can provide ample comfort to the body and it should be that way only. But it must not become a burden of indulgence or sedentary lifestyle. Earning money at the cost of health is plain stupidity. Straining for 12-14 hours everyday having no time for ourselves? One can certainly lose health and gain money but money can not bring back the health. The comfort provided by Money must not make life sedentary for that is the single most cause for most of the diseases.

Ambiguity and Uncertainty is the only truth. accumulation of Money brings no security and no certainty. So what is this chase. Attempt to control future? Attempt to run away from ourselves, our miseries, our pains and hurts which we give to each other? Hide ourselves in shopping of numerous things, we are going to use for few times then forget? Why is this chase? Or is it that once we enter into this rat race, we simply can not step away from it? Choose the reason. Result is same.