An Excerpt from ASCEND: Proven Ways to Rapidly Boost Your Financial Life
Chapter 1: Is Money Essential?
Time is more valueable than money.
You can get more money,
but you cannot get more
time.
Jim Rohn
Definition of money
Money is any item or verifiable record that is commonly accepted
as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts in a particular
country or socio-economic context. In general people’s definition about money is
actually the programming and influence during the early stage of your life. We
learn these from our family and people around us, our interaction with others
and our environment. Whether you like it or not money is essential on our daily
lives. This is commonly an involuntary habit. It plays a vital role to make our
well-being at ease and comfortable. From the luscious food that we eat, to our
favorite gadgets and apparels these require financial equivalent. In addition, it
can also be a channel to help those who are in need and less fortunate. You
must understand that if you’re financially abundant there are wider opportunities
on what you can give to others. Others define
money as the
root of evil. Common perception is that majority of wealthy and successful people are evil that
their income stream is a result of their inappropriate acts, taking
unfair advantage on uneducated people and many other
misconceptions. There
are different meanings about money and it’s up to you what side you will embrace. Your
Passion and Purpose will serve as your compass on what you would choose.
Understanding the history and development of
money
Do you know the start and development
of money? During early ages, there is no monetary
exchange and the way to get things is through
barter system. Barter system is an exchange of other
goods or services without using money. Early man normally barter goods they had
in surplus for the ones they lacked.
Through time our ancestors started to
develop small replicas of goods cast from bronze
which eventually the start of coin system. This kind of trade system started to grow as standard coinage across the Mediterranean
region. Later on the idea of silver and
gold casting and paper money ascend. This serves as new development on our
money system. Paper money is great for
business because it could be mass produced without relying on raw materials
such as bronze, silver and gold. Later on the money transfer via telegraph (a system for transmitting messages from a
distance along a wire, especially one creating signals by making and breaking
an electrical connection) becomes the mainstream.
Later on, the trend progressed to ATM/Credit Cards, Cashless
payments and Mobile banking which marked a phenomenal era for an e-commerce and online shopping. No wonder that the
world's largest online store like AMAZON
business is growing rapidly
which is the reason why its CEO/Founder Jeff Bezos to be recognized as the first person with a net worth surpassing $150 billion
in the three decades that Forbes has tracked the richest Americans. Bezos is the richest man in the world based on
Forbes' Top Billionaires of 2018.
In this world where all are digitals, money also goes digital in
the name of Cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency a digital currency in which
encryption techniques are used to regulate the generation of units of currency
and verify the transfer of funds, operating independently of a central bank.
This type of currency is the crowd favorite nowadays and is being used as an
instrument for wealth creation. These advancements is
making an interesting history that shapes the future of money and it is
fascinating to know that each era contributed so much in order to reach these
milestones and legacies.
What is Money for you?
Some people define that money is a means to buy what they need
or means of exchange for a service or product. Usually, people have the same perception and beliefs with our parents and
the people we frequently interact. Our subconscious mind starts to slowly adapt
these principles. Soon you will naturally imitate their money habits and
insights. Sadly, if the people around you have poor money practices you will be
conditioned with same thinking and views like them.
The earlier you discover what money is the better you
understand the principle of it. It’s best if you start to realize the real meaning of it. Remember
that it’s just a material thing and not basis of your worth. You are the
one who should define your true worth. The good
news is that you can break your bad habits and patterns. You just need to focus
on worthy beliefs and practices and change what
you previously know. Acceptance is the key. You must acknowledge new learning
for your new beginnings. After this transformation, decide what money is for
you not how it defines
you.
Good and bad effects of money
There are two sides of the coin. The head, and the tails. Just like the effects of money on people, there is a
positive and negative impact. There are good and bad effects of money
depending on how people use it or how you let money manage you. Again, there
are certain benefits that
money can give you but it is up to you on how you achieve these endless worthy
effects and results.
On the good side, money can give you positive stuffs such as the
freedom to buy things you want and need, the power to materialize your dreams
and goal in life with ease and most especially the influence to share your financial blessings to others. On the other hand the bad side
of it is that this
might transform you to a person you do not intend to be. You might turn to an
arrogant individual because of the power that
money can give you and the hunger to gain more money. Eventually, this might
lead you to unlawful acts. This time money is the one
who is in control of you.
You have the control on what choice you will pick. You have your
own guiding influences to ensure you choose what is right and worthy. Your
Purpose, Passion and Subconscious habits will serve as your navigator on your voyage towards your success into
rightful habits. If you are engage to not so good habits, there are unlimited
chances to break this pattern. What you need to do is to decide and take action
to fulfill your goal to have an excellent
financial awareness and practices. You are the one who can decide which path you will choose the good side or bad side.
Money and its true essence
During our childhood days we start to learn
the benefits and importance of money. As a basic
idea, we know that the more money we have the more things we can buy. But what is the
true essence of money? What is money for us and to
the society? The true essence of money is about achieving
value for yourself and the community. The idea and essence of money is
not to be ahead from others, nor not to do evil.
It is only a means that makes us a better individual for a culture that shares,
a world that knows how to give and to receive, and a place where the essence of
helping is greater than the love of money. This essence is so simple that
sometimes we fail to recognize in this complex universe.
