I had quite a conversation today with some really good friends of mine. So much so that I thought it would be a fantastic blog post for the blockchain.
So a little backstory to prep you guys on how the conversation got started...
When you reach the age I'm at, you can count your really good friends on one or two hands. These two friends of mine are like brothers. We've been friends for decades and when we get together, the topic of life comes up...
So my one friend was hardcore agnostic up until a year or so ago. Since then, he's become a Christian and has really embraced his new faith. My other friend, is agnostic if not atheist and has never understood our faith. He doesn't disrespect it by any means, but does think it's foolish.
We were talking about faith and our walks with Christ and something really captured my attention.
I'm paraphrasing here but it was essentially like this....We asked each other what true happiness was?
My 'new Christian' friend answered that it was to protect his family, make sure they were safe and to see them safe and happy for years to come. I responded that it was to grow in Christ and lead my family to know God as much as possible.
Then my atheist buddy answered....He simply said 'Get money!'
It took me by surprise, because this is what was my definition of life was for most of my adult years. Get money. Build businesses. Become rich.
And I guess when I was younger, that was my main goal....Grow my bank account. Even up until recently it was to 'increase my stacks' in crypto.
So I started replying my response to him, and of course my other friend beat me to the punch. And literally said exactly what I was going to write to him...
"Nah man, that was my mentality for years. But now it's not about how much money I get. I just need to be comfortable and make sure my family is safe."
I kind of chuckled. Because again....That's essentially what I was going to reply as well.
Look, no one can tell you what is a goal you should create for your own life. It's your choice. It's personal. It's whatever you really want it to be....
But looking over my life, at 47 years old today....I am so much more happier now without 'stacks'. Without the rat race of trying to accumulate as much money as I can. When I was successful in business, I had all the money I could have dreamed about. And I was miserable.
There has to be more to life than just....Get money. At least for me. Money comes and goes, but my life now is focused much more on family and my walk with God. Again, this is personal, and it might now be for everyone...But wow, what a difference a year makes :)