The root of all evil.

I’m sure you’ve thought of money before. Whether you are filthy rich or just a plain pauper or even mediocre, I’m sure money has been one of the things to have constantly crossed your mind.

It’s sad isn’t it, how much we depend on money to measure our happiness? But sadly, that’s the truest of facts which most of us cannot and do not dare to dispute.

Last week I was in Melaka for the Penasihat Conference. Nadira’s dad came to give a (very much needed) motivational talk as we were all (obviously) getting more and more unmotivated in the office due to office politics, etc. etc., and also mainly because mostly, we were motivated by money more than job satisfaction.

He said, “Money is important, but it is not everything.” And ever since, I have (tried to) hold on to that phrase whenever I feel dissatisfied, financially.

But still, our society now is so engrossed in making money at the expense of our values. Money is important because of rising fuel prices. Money is important because of the increase in foodstuff. Money is important because at a certain point in life, that would be the determinant of our success. People would go to gatherings and ask, “bawak kereta apa sekarang?” (mostly applicable to guys) and women would be asked, “anak you belajar mana sekarang?”. What about, “berapa kali dah khatam Quran?” or “dah selesai kerjakan haji?”.

These things become a form of pressure to everyone. If only people didn’t compare. If only we were only competing with ourselves and not others. If only our social circles did not depend wholly on the amount of money we had. If only we spent according to our capacities and not be ashamed of it. If only, but that would only be if only we weren’t weak and vulnerable human beings.

I guess that’s why most marriages break down nowadays. Most people forget that they had zilch when they started off. And most people forget that in the first place, money was not the main motivation for them marrying someone (unless for you it is, of course). People just forget that sometimes, happiness should not be measured with the amount of assets you own, or the amount of money you have saved up.

Sometimes, it’s in the simplest of things that we find so much joy that no amount of money can ever buy. Sure we need to progress but should we be so calculative in life?

Then again, we’re all human. And we love money. Indeed, it is the necessary evil in everyone’s lives.

Let’s try to remember what it was when we didn’t have so much. Maybe then, we’d go back to basics. A reminder to you and mostly, to myself as well. God Forbid, I hope I will not be a money worshiper.