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What is the Meaning of Money?: A ‘Philosopher,’ a 4-Year Old and a Path

Started by Clay Collins · 8 months ago

[A Note from Clay: This article -- by Kent Thune -- is one of the most remarkable articles I've read on the topic of work/life balance and lifestyle design for a long, long time.  It's well written, it speaks to the heart, and it's filled with uncommon wisdom. %3 ... Continue reading »

21 comments

  • Duff

    8 months ago

    This kicks ass. Love the quotes, and the story.

    The methodology of Core Transformation that I've recently discovered and practice regularly personally and with coaching clients is one method for getting this kind of alignment on a regular basis.

    Be happy first, then make money.
    reply
  • Kenny King

    8 months ago

    This was an amazing post. I'm sitting here, stressed out that I have to work a job that I hate tomorrow (and wake up at 5am) and still not have enough money to pay my bills, but this post gave me hope, something I used to think was a phase you grow out of.

    While money is a big issue for me, because I literally never have any, yet work constantly, I need to prioritize my life and enjoy the journey.

    Thank you.
    reply
  • Will

    8 months ago

    Wonderful post! I love the quotes, therefore I'd like to add another one by my hero:

    "Expecting is the greatest impediment to living. In anticipation of tomorrow, it loses today." Seneca

    thank you for sharing your thoughts Kent!
    reply
  • Kent @ The Financial Philosoph

    8 months ago

    Kenny:

    If we really think about it, the worry over money reveals how much energy we give to it. You are fortunate to realize this now...

    If our priorities are aligned properly (and we have food, shelter and clothing), then our concerns over money, material wealth and social status will be minimal, if not non-existent.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts...

    Kent
    reply
  • Kent @ The Financial Philosoph

    8 months ago

    Will:

    I'm a fan of Seneca as well! Here's one of my favorite quotes:

    "It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult." ~ Seneca

    Thanks for sharing the quote...

    Kent
    reply
  • Kent @ The Financial Philosoph

    8 months ago

    Clay:

    Thanks to you for the honor of writing this guest post on your blog! You have a good thing going here and your efforts have certainly impacted people in a positive way.

    You are a great "philosopher!"

    "The essence of philosophy is that a man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things." ~ Epictetus
    reply
  • Clay Collins

    8 months ago

    Kent, this post really is just exceptional and I just wanted to thank you again for the wonderful thoughts and words. You are an excellent writer.
    reply
  • Maria | Never the Same River T

    8 months ago

    Kent, you've gained another reader today. I'm not a fan of traditional goal setting methods because I think that they cause us to put on blinders and miss a lot of interesting opportunities along the way. I've always found that my accidental discoveries are the most interesting!
    reply
  • Kent @ The Financial Philosoph

    8 months ago

    Thanks, Maria...

    I believe the conventional wisdom for many of my fellow financial planners and investment advisors falls short of the kind of guidance people really need.

    Following a "plan" can be quite hyper-intentional, which can lead right over a cliff or close doors to unforeseen opportunities. People need more "life planning" and less "financial planning."

    Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. I'll look forward to you joining in the discussion at The Financial Philosopher...
    reply
  • Will

    8 months ago

    Kent

    That would be my second choice. We read Seneca in Latin... He is just so amazing. My favorite piece by him is "De brevitata vitae". Looking forward to reading your blog!

    @Clay:

    Thank you so much for publishing this guest post. But I am looking forward to your next post as well!!
    reply
  • Kenny King

    8 months ago

    Thanks Kent. Definitely a new reader of your blog!
    reply
  • The Financial Philosopher

    8 months ago

    Kenny:

    Thanks for the comment! I hope to hear from you over at The Financial Philosopher...

    Cheers...

    Kent
    reply
  • Tony

    8 months ago

    Clay I Really enjoy your new blog (Loved the idea of the one before Finance Your Freedom too but I know all too well that growth is necessary & natural and I your growth resonates with me)

    This quality post really drives home a lot for me. As I've more aware over the past few years (and months) and uncovering my "core identity" and fading away from my surface Identity (As stolen from Frank Kern) I find myself becoming more and more liberated and more clear about my path & purpose.

    I personally thank Kent for sharing these fantastic insights.

    As well the extra mile is a lonely road however the home, cars money etc..are only a result of a life well lived rather than what makes a life well lived.

    Live now and many blessings. Thank you for shares Clay!
    reply
  • Tim

    8 months ago

    This is a really incredibly power post for me as I have a one year old son now and only yesterday I was thinking that I need to spend more time with him.

    I am working from home already and I have my own business, but due to success I am also out of the house a great deal. I am also reading a book called The Four Hour work Week by Timothy Ferris to give me some ideas about setting up a different system. I am sure that some of the words that your son said had a dramatic impact on you as my son does also. Just watching him grow and develop is incredible and I am missing so much already.

    Thank you for your reminder to what is really important to us. If you get a chance also please take a look at my site which focuses on life coaching athttp://www.millionaireanonymous.com .

    Thank you and have a great day and be abundant.
    reply
  • The Financial Philosopher

    8 months ago

    Tim:

    Having children of your own is an incredible gift. Once your son is able to speak and communicate with words, he will teach you more about life than you thought you would ever learn.

    Thanks for the comment and yes, I will certainly check out your blog...
    reply
  • Ben

    8 months ago

    Hi Kent,

    I'm not sure whether you have seen "They Live" directed by John Carpenter in 1998. This comment contains a big spoiler about the film's plot but it seems very appropriate in these times. The film's protagonist, John Nada, is a down on his work construction worker who after a police raid on a shanty town his is staying in, finds some sunglasses in a cardboard box. He takes a pair and is walking the street trying to keep a low profile. He eventually put the sunglasses on and the world he sees becomes black and white. Through the glasses he sees that advertising billboards and magazine covers contain subliminal messages reinforcing consumerism. He also sees that the yuppies walking the street are aliens.

    The ultimate subliminal message he sees, IMHO, is "This is your god" on a piece of paper money. I believe that western society, here I'm including my country - Australia, invests too much in "Money", "Material Wealth" and "Status", as the meaning and measurement of a persons' self wealth and contribution to society.

    In my eyes, money is just a tool and nothing more - it's definitely not the false idol that many mistakenly worship. True wealth comes from the close and positive relationships and experiences that one has during life's journey.

    Cheers,

    Ben
    reply
  • The Financial Philosopher

    8 months ago

    Thanks, Ben...

    I have not seen "They Live." I'll add that to my Netflix rotation...

    I am thankful that I have realized at the young age of 39 that money, material wealth and social status are almost completely void of meaning. I will say, however, that there is absolutely nothing wrong with "wanting more" as long as we are content with what we have now.

    You are correct: Money is a tool. Thanks for the thoughts...
    reply
  • Jeremy Day

    8 months ago

    Hi Kent,

    Glad to see you write a guest post. I read your articles all the time. Maybe one day you can write an awesome article like this one on my site. ;-)

    Cheers,
    Jeremy
    reply
  • Clint Stonebraker

    7 months ago

    Unbelievably good. Thank you for sharing this post. I hope some people will read this and wake up to the fact that at the end of the day no one will give a fuck how much money they have. What they will care about is whether or not they made a DIFFERENCE.
    reply
  • Jess

    4 months ago

    This blog post definitely resonates with me... I love it.
    reply
  • Police Sunglasses

    3 months ago

    It's really about money because at this time what matters is the presence or absence of money. If a person living abroad has money he can go back home and meet his family anytime but if he hasn't he will have to wait until he get enough money to fulfill his dreams. So,i agree it's money that takes the decision of our lives , most of the time.
    reply

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