Wealth (money) might just be overrated.
Yes, you read that right. This could end up as a controversial take but it won't be surprising, especially because of how the modern world has made the subject of money, and wealth in large to look like. It's become more like the backbone of life and living. It's not surprising then when we see people doing all manner of things to make this wealth at all costs. It's no news today, and we all know what it looks like.
It's tiring that every time I take this similar position about money, I have to affirm and reaffirm that I'm not saying money, or wealth in this case isn't important. I guess I'm doing that again. So yes, I understand what money is and the need for it today. Virtually everything needs money to get it done, from minor to major things. This is why we work and we hope to make this wealth so as to buy ourselves a comfortable life free of financial problems.
If a choice has to be made between wealth and freedom, what would it be? Would it be wealth or freedom? I guess we all know the common and expected answer. Having that wealth gives you the ability to be free of one of the burdens of this world, which is finance. For some, they see it as a way of gaining freedom as well; in the sense that they can do what they want, have what they want, go where they want, and so on.
That makes an interesting point. However, I'm left thinking whether the worth of freedom is indeed understood. There are things whose worth isn't really realised until they're lost or gone. Freedom fits well into this description. Most people are free today, with mainly finances as a concern and burden. That makes it understandable why many would gravitate towards this choice, especially because we need money for almost everything in our world.
However, considering some things, the worth and value of freedom seem to be ignored. The person in prison doesn't really care about wealth; they just want to have their freedom, if possible. And the one on the sick bed, who has all the money in the world they can spend it to get well, but is bedridden because of an illness. What matters more to them, if not to be well and enjoy the freedom to move around and do things themselves?
It's also important to understand that wealth doesn't automatically mean freedom as well. No, it doesn't. With great wealth comes great demands, and time is one of those. People hold the impression that the world's richest people probably sit around and go around enjoying their wealth and time in total freedom, when in reality they're some of the busiest and most engaged people one can ever meet.
Should we seek wealth? Yes, and get it in the right way. We need money to run life. When we fail to see and recognise the worth of freedom because we're free, but aren't financially buoyant so we see this as more worthy than anything else, it becomes a problem. Freedom is priceless. The one who enjoys it however might not really see that. Much like one who can breathe in and out normally might not realise the worth of that like one who's living on hospital's oxygen.
Image is AI generated.