My Messiah Be Rich

This blog is about personal development and financial independence. You know how I know that? I came up with it. I used my creativity to put those words in that order. Then I punctuated the end part thereby making it a "statement."

My priority is personal development. But my financial situation is so dire that it needs to take focus for the time being. But, say... being in control of my money is an important piece of the puzzle that is P.D. So my mission still holds!

In my first ever blog post (it feels like only two and a half weeks ago... I was so young) I briefly mentioned that I used "spirituality" to cover up my fear of money. Or the lack of it. Being poor was a sign of non-attachment to the world. It just wasn't important. It was a temporary resource, something we think provides happiness, but ultimately leaves us unfulfilled. Buddha gave up his riches. Jesus turned gold into candy and gave it to trick-or-treaters. They didn't need it. Therefore, neither did I.

I'm a materialist now. No less "spiritual," for lack of a better term. But I am not of the opinion that there is anything beyond the physical realm. At least until I see some good evidence. In the course of this shift to the physical, I arrived at the idea that money is a very important part of the material world (Shut it, Madonna). Sure, we as a collective concoct the idea of money and worth, but it still enables things to happen. It's a means of exchange. We require it to survive. And I want not only to survive, but to flourish.

My problem was viewing money as "bad." In truth, it's neither good nor bad. It's not the greatest goal to attain, but neither is it the root of all evil. It's a tool. With a hammer I can build you a house or break in your skull. I can build you a house and then break in your skull. Like a lunatic. In short, any crazy house-building person who kills people with hammers can have money or not. He'll still go to jail if you can catch him.

Money is a symbol. A true feeling of non-attachment should enable me to realize its necessity and proper utilization. I do need more of it. And that's OK. I'm not a pious monk with a begging bowl that doubles as a hat. I'm me. And I'll bring the hammer down on you if you try to make me otherwise. That's what Jesus would do.