Why does money matter so much!

 Why does money matter so much? That is the topic that is eating away my mind today. I decided to put my mind over money and did a web search for it and liked the following excerpt I found:

"We like to think that we are logical, rational beings. We want to believe that we weigh the pros and cons of each decision and choose the most effective course of action before we act. However, when it comes to money, our brains haven't evolved much beyond those of our furry friends.

Money is a hot topic. Studies show that it is the no. 1 source of stress in our lives, in good times and bad. Money is a primary source of conflicts in couples, and the no. 1 cause of divorce in the early years of marriage. Whether it is a steady build-up of funds over the years or a significant real or imagined sudden financial gain or loss, money comes wrapped in an emotional package; and when we are emotionally charged we become rationally challenged. Neuroscience has shown that when our emotions run high, our logical, rational brain shuts down. When it comes back online, we typically rationalize our behaviors. Simply put, when it comes to investment decisions made when we are anxious or excited, we can't trust our instincts. When we let our animal brain make our investment decisions, it wreaks havoc on our financial lives.....Resist the urge to run with the herd. Whether it is today or tomorrow, one thing we know for sure: the herd will always run itself right off a cliff."

 Another interesting link:

http://www.dibbleinstitute.org/Documents/MH-SL-color-LR.pdf

I strongly believe in Dr. Billy Graham's quote : "When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost."

I don't disrespect money in any way. I have never wanted to be a millionaire. I only want enough money to live a happy, healthy life. I realize that there are honest ways to make money and there are devious (not-so-honest) ways to make money. I am not sure if I will be able to differentiate between the honest rich people and the not-so-honest rich people. Almost as a defense mechanism, I am just wary of anybody who is rich. I probably need to grow up some more and learn to discern.

The whimsical me - Part 1

Patriotism 

"Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism - how passionately I hate them!" -  Albert Einstein

"A nation is a society united by a delusion about its ancestry and by common hatred of its neighbours." - William Ralph Inge

I have always wondered about what exactly patriotism means. To me, the country I was born in means nothing more or nothing less than the country I live in. Although, I have to admit that I do feel a strange connection and superfluous pride when I talk about my native country.  I am more aware of the way of life, the cultural heritage in my native country than anywhere else in the world.   I understand that it is very common for a human being to be attached to something, or someone that they are used to, rather habituated to. I got to experience it first hand recently when I lost my coffee mug. I felt  miserable for the next few days. I actually mourned its loss! I could not believe that I became so disgustingly materialistic. That realization   got me to think more and I ended up comparing the feelings of patriotism to that of materialism. Both arise from a sense of attachment. Perhaps, it is this attachment that is the key to all sorrows in life. What about attachment to another human being? Is it glorified as love?

My Basic Values

Why do you need values to live life? Does having values make you feel that you are living life in a better way?  Having a set of values to live by surely make one happier and more lovable. There are three basic value that I treasure; honesty, modesty, and courage. They are the core value that I yearn for in myself and in the people I interact with. I am lucky to have in my life people who have those values and much much more. Everyone I know is a better person than I am and that keeps me inspired to strive for a better me.

I recently read an article that said that modest people are not usually successful. After thinking about it for a while, it started to make sense to me. The few successful people I know usually directly or indirectly brag.

 The spiritual background I am from, sees even the very word  'I' as something that is not true. When there is no 'I 'and no 'you', then there is no fear. When there is no fear, all the values that I treasure, freely exist. The chase for success, fame, and money eventually erodes these values.