I reflect very often. About six years or so ago I was in a not so good place financially and really struggled. I set out to double my income and I've actually quadrupled it over the last couple of years. I don't see it as a mean feat at all, even though there are some elements of luck to it, like being selected from a pool of other qualified candidates for instance, or building close friendships and bonds that really uplift.

My main challenge is that respite for me isn't anywhere near, as having more hasn't necessarily translated to the satisfaction of me needs. Apart from the cost of everything going through the roof, there's also the case of increasing obligations and responsibilities and the occasional urge to keep up with the Joneses.

I definitely need more income now, especially as I still more or less flirt with poverty. Yet even as the income streams continually grow, there is an increasing acceptance that satisfaction is perhaps more mythical than anything else. The more income one makes, the more we realize Moreso that financial prosperity and satisfaction aren't necessarily the same thing, even if they are definitely not mutually exclusive. There is a satiation point in finances where we might actually start to feel diminishing returns if the acquisition of money is the only thing we've set out to do.

For me, if I become insanely wealthy I'd probably gain more satisfaction by giving most of it away more than anything else. There are also others who tow this path, and they'll likely be remembered for their deeds than what they acquired. Satisfaction also comes from being able to properly define the parameters. One of such parameters is what success actually means, which is where many fall short. Taking the culturally assumed definition of what a successful person is could lead to the shock of undersatisfaction when we eventually get what we want.

Notwithstanding, not having to bother about bills hovering around our necks is very essential for our development. The happiest countries in the World have a strong correlation with financial independence. Yet, from a purely socio-political front, the happiest countries aren't necessarily the most satisfied. We see it on display in the way the society operates, bringing in the question of what really brings about satisfaction.

Conclusion

The true glory will always be in the striving. If we had nothing more to do we'd likely die of sheer boredom. I personally only need a bit of financial comfort to keep me happy, but ensure that am consistently growing in order to be satisfied. It is a process, not a destination.