Money and possessions ... have you thought deeper about them?
By carpediem17
@carpediem17 (1315)
Singapore
July 26, 2011 3:53am CST
What are your views on your money and possessions? Is it the more you have, you have greater assurance of your own success, contentment and peace. Perhaps to a certain extent.
I have always been impressed by what Bill and Melinda Gates have done with their wealth derived from their Microsoft success. They have donated much of their monies to charities they support and have explicitly (perhaps to protect their children)state that their children will only inherit a token amount of their wealth and that they have to work for it.
But what about us ordinary folks. What are our own views on our own money and possessions? Are we very much governed by our religion or culture. Do you give to the less fortunate and volunteer to the community?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
27 Jul 11
I would say it will never be enough unless we are satisfied with what we have. I have heard in a country like Bhutan, people are very happy though they do not have that much money nor enjoy much of the comforts that we take for granted.
To me, I rather save money for a rainy day, hoping not to spend it unnecessarily, but it seems that money is always not enough, once it is earned, it is spent, sigh...
I may not have much to donate out, but I guess community work can be done in other ways, such as volunteering my time and service.
@bluemoonpavilion (4658)
• Singapore
5 Aug 11
It's hard once greed overtakes us or clouds our judgement.
@carpediem17 (1315)
• Singapore
27 Jul 11
thanks bmp for your response. I guess for some, money and possessions are never enough. We have to examine our own attitudes and think of those who share when they have not much for themselves.
In that way, with a re-examined attitude, perhaps legal suits being fought in court for money and possessions (even amongst family members) will be minimised if not done away. 
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
26 Jul 11
I guess if we have more than enough we should consider giving to the less fortunate. There are many people who has wealth out there but only a few give to the poor. We should act as one to raise ourselves from poverty.
@carpediem17 (1315)
• Singapore
27 Jul 11
hi - definitely food for thought especially those who have extra $ to spare.
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
27 Jul 11
I agree. We should give without expecting anything in return.
@sukumar794 (5040)
• Thiruvananthapuram, India
27 Jul 11
Though not much bent on amassing possessions in plenty, I would prefer to dispossess everything in a search for pleasure and happiness.
@hotsummer (13836)
• Philippines
27 Jul 11
for me money is not that important except for meeting our basic needs. but once our basic needs are met then money is not that important any more. we should give more importance to other things than just money.
@carpediem17 (1315)
• Singapore
27 Jul 11
thanks for your sharing. I guess Maslow's hierarchy of needs apply here and after satisfying our basic needs, we look for something more, something else.
The question really is what are our attitudes to money and possessions. Do we hold on to them even when we have enough or we are more compassion and give some of our excesses away.
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
26 Jul 11
I think it is not the amount that we have, but what we do with the possessions.
There are some people who love money and possessions more than life.
They would work very hard, and suffer burnt out just for the sake of getting this or that.
Once they have the new car or new house, they immediately think of getting a newer and bigger one.
They do not even love their own things, after getting it.
On the other hand, some people love their sofa set so much, that they can use it for twenty years, and will not even want to buy a new one.
I think it is good to have some things to call our own, and yet do not love them more than life itself.
If we can get very rich, then it is good to enjoy life, and help others to enjoy life.
@carpediem17 (1315)
• Singapore
26 Jul 11
thanks scheng1 for your sharing. Indeed so, there are people out there who love money and possessions more than life. It is indeed a feel-good kinda thing.
But in the final analysis, I think helping others and adding value to others make us even happier and more humane. 
