I enjoyed a wonderful evening yesterday, talking with friends. We laughed, joked, and shared a few stories, as we sat around an enormous log fire, in the kitchen of a friend’s 400 year old farmhouse.
Afterwards, I reflected on how it’s almost always the things that money CAN’T buy, which bring the most joy – Like great conversation with good friends. In fact, none of the key moments in my life happened as a result of me spending a ton of money.
Many people think that the acquisition of money is the same as the acquisition of success or happiness. It isn’t. I know people with millions in the bank, who own all the things that money can buy, who are not particularly happy with their lives. Equally, I know people who earn very little, yet have wonderful families, children they love and great friends.
I’m not suggesting for a moment that money isn’t important. It is! It’s hard to be happy, when you’re always worrying about how to pay the bills.
I am suggesting that whilst we build our financial futures, we also make sure we invest in developing those things that money can’t buy.