Travie McCoy and Bruno Mars paired up to sing the hit “Billionaire”, which peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100, and number three on the UK Singles Chart.
Even though they talked about wanting to be a billionaire “so freakin’ bad,” I really didn’t find anything appealing.
I’m not being a hater. I love the tune… but the lyrics reveal that being a millionaire or billionaire is not all it’s cracked up to be.
None of those billionaire things sound like happiness to me. Fame, sure… success, perhaps… achievement, okay… fulfillment, I don’t think so!
When I was a little girl I had big dreams and, of course, they included money, fame, and possession. Soon enough I realized that there are so many depressed, unhappy, suicidal, and unfulfilled wealthy people and that money does not buy happiness.
When you’re in a rat race, even when you win, you feel like a rat. I like rats…but we are children of God… you and me!
“Psychologists have spent decades studying the relation between wealth and happiness, and they have generally concluded that wealth increases human happiness when it lifts people out of abject poverty and into the middle class but that it does little to increase happiness thereafter.” ~ Harvard University psychologist Daniel Gilbert, best-selling author of “Stumbling on Happiness”
I was surprised to learn that a person is very close to me though I longed to be some kind of famous millionaire. Ambition can take many forms and the best goals and dreams have nothing to do with finances.
Tim Ferris once said something I really liked:
“People don’t want to be millionaires. They want to experience what they believe only millions can buy”
Life is not about having, it’s about experiencing. You are not your job title or the pluses or minuses in your bank account. No matter where you are in life, you are at the right place, you are enough, and you are exactly who you must be.
I used to say “I want this” or “when we have this” and now I just look around and appreciate what I have. It may be insignificant to others, but it is so much more than I ever thought I’d had…and it’s mine.
As I look at my life today, the “things” I value the most are memories, experiences, happy or emotional moments, all shared with people I have loved. The “things” that bring me joy and a feeling of success are wise decisions made and kind deeds done. The “things” that give me comfort are smiles, hugs and words of appreciation. The “things” that matter most to me all have to do with connection: to God, to self and to others.
I want to be a billionaire in moments… moments of becoming my best self and sharing love, gratitude, passion, and balance with everyone. That sounds “so freakin’ good” LOL
Elayna is a single mom of 4, award-winning Storyteller, Story Strategist, and Student of Pain. She’s a bestselling author, internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, and 4x TEDx speaker. Founder of the Positive MOM® and creator of the S.T.O.R.Y. System: a blueprint to craft and share powerful stories that will transform your results, so you can have the wealth, opportunities, and freedom you deserve. Connect with Elayna Fernández at thepositivemom.com/keynote-speaker and follow @thepositivemom. To receive a gift from Elayna, click HERE.
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