Two Dimensional Gandhi

As the sun revolves around the center of the Milky Way, the earth orbits around the sun, our life revolves around money (come on, it’s just a piece of paper, really!). The basic necessities of life (roti, kapda aur makaan) viz. food (including water), attire and shelter everything revolves around money.

We don’t know the value of money until we start earning. In the childhood, we would ask our parents for pocket-money to buy our favorite candy. I still remember the grinning look on my face when my grandmother used to give MY pocket-money to my mom on MY birthday (grandma: isko kuch khareed ke de dena). I also remember the smirk on my mom’s face when my granny started giving me my pocket-money in my adolescence (mom: arey iski kya zaroorat thi)

When we start going to high school we feel shy about asking for money from our parents rather we start taking (stealing ahem) without their permission. (You wanna go for a date with your GF, don’t you?) Then comes the college days which is when you start to realize the power of money. The guy with the biggest pocket gets the hottest gal (so much of true love). You always wanted that dream motorcycle of yours in those college days but can’t get it (goddamn self-respect). That’s the time when you enlighten yourself with the power of money. You start to believe in it.

Once you get that feel of it. That’s it, from there onwards everything, every single decision you make is controlled by money, to such an extent that you

• Even ditch your passion and start searching for a job just for the sake of money. (Wildlife photographer vs. IT Professional)
• Think before deciding upon a restaurant (or bar, just in case)
• Consider while going for those lavish brands of clothing (Gucci vs. Aditya Birla Group)
• Slog for that four walls and a roof (Villa vs. 2 BHK)
• Kiss your boss’s ass for that sedan (promotion) you always wanted
• Look at your CTC before you get married (if your would-be is not earning)
• Decide the budget before going for a trip (Paris vs. Goa)
• Plan your child (ab bacha kaun plan karta hai yaar), their education according to your financial growth
• Start thinking about your retirement plan at the age of 25 (WTF)

The few pointers mentioned above consume your WHOLE LIFE, and all of them are decided by money. Let that sink in for a moment.

There was a time when I used to earn 12K and beg after 20^th of every month. Now I earn 45K and I beg after 21^st of every month. As you see, there is not much of a difference (although there is sufficient amount of hike in my salary). The fact is, the more you earn the more you spend. Human beings are driven by greed and not by need. If I have a Royal Enfield then I want a Harley Davidson; if I have a Hyundai then I want an Audi. That’s how the mind works. Once you get control over that mind of yours; you get control over everything in your life. Then money will be just another parameter (which will definitely have a say but it won’t dictate)

Money can definitely solve most of your problems but not all (I know that you would rather cry in a Ferrari than on a bicycle). There are many important facets of life which money can’t control (I may not be able to list it here, please help yourself http://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/50-things-money-can-t-buy.html)

The thing is it’s not about how much money you make or save. It’s all about how wisely you spend it. There is no point in living life king size on first few days of the month when you have to beg like a dog for the rest of the days. And there is no point either in all that saved money when you are stretching your legs in your grave (yeah maybe your grandson can drive you to hospital in a Ferrari)

The point is to make sufficient amount of money and not get hypnotized by it.  Money should not control you, you should control it. You should be in pursuit of happiness and not money (There are few who are confused between the two but don’t worry you will get it at some point of time; if you are in pursuit of the latter, just make sure that you don’t get lost)

I would like to quote James Hunt: “I intend to enjoy myself first. Some of life needs to be for pleasure. What’s the point of having a million cups and medals and planes if you don’t have any fun? How is that winning?”

Mind power \m/ Sab moh maya hai

 

P.S. Oh Shit, I forgot to put the disclaimer. In case your name is “Bill” or “Gates”, you just wasted 5 minutes of your life. You are already above the so-called “moh maya” 😀

And rest of the guys please post where you are begging so that we don’t bump into each other 😛

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