I had a similar perspective on gratitude when I was broke. I wasnt unhappy necessarily.
But when I became “rich” things definitely changed and I don’t even have Woz money.
Being “rich” helps in that you don’t worry about money anymore at least not in the way you did before…
But as Larry David said as soon as “making money” disappears as a worry than something else tends to take its place in your head. A good example would be “losing money” or “trusting others.”
The biggest goal should be becoming debt-free and avoiding consumerism. If you can do this you can reduce money as a worry and focus on gratitude as Woz says.
It can be hard to be happy and find direction when you’re broke.
I wouldn't say this is about being rich or not. My father helped shape my perspective, and as he used to say: "I've been rich and I've been poor. Rich is better." [1] He literally grew up in poverty, but he saw his legacy as his family and not his work.
I think there's a subtle difference between living a happy life and looking back being proud of the life you lived. Of course having money is better. Money opens up possibilities for the future. However, on your deathbed when there isn't much future left, possibilities don't matter much and all you're left with is wondering what your legacy will be. In the difference lies hedonism.
1. Like most of the things he said, he got it somewhere, though I can't find a consistent attribution. The oldest seems to be Beatrice Kaufman.
I had a similar perspective on gratitude when I was broke. I wasnt unhappy necessarily.
But when I became “rich” things definitely changed and I don’t even have Woz money.
Being “rich” helps in that you don’t worry about money anymore at least not in the way you did before…
But as Larry David said as soon as “making money” disappears as a worry than something else tends to take its place in your head. A good example would be “losing money” or “trusting others.”
The biggest goal should be becoming debt-free and avoiding consumerism. If you can do this you can reduce money as a worry and focus on gratitude as Woz says.
It can be hard to be happy and find direction when you’re broke.