What Would You Do If You Had All The Money In The World?

We all say that if we had so much money that we couldn't breathe, we would share it with others.

But I wonder: is it actually true? Or would we be so selfish and self-centered that we would never learn valuable life lessons? And, most times, we would feel sick when looking back to the reflection in the mirror?

We all want money to live a decent life. Many of us want money to have their own roof over their heads, a decent car and a worry-free day to day life. Others want money to rule the world. And others yes, do want money to be able to help others. But what’s the percentage of the last category? And if they had the money, would they still do it?

What would I do if I had all the money in the world?

The answer to this question deserves some serious thought. So here's my reality, from the most objective point I could stand in.

If that happened when I was a child, probably by now I would have become a very selfish person. Because my vanity would have been so well fed that I didn’t see anything else around me. And I believe that most people in this situation, who have no-one to point them out in the right direction, would be the same.

Why am I making such assumptions?

Because I know myself and I know there's a very thin line between staying true to one's self and becoming arrogant. And I also know the destructive effect of having too much money, with no proper guidance. Greed becomes one’s best friend - again, if allowed. Not just for the owner, yet for everyone around the wealthy one. People start thinking how to better rip off the rich one, but no-one wants what's best for that person.

If you take the example of media created superstars, they are - most times - more lonely than any other human on the planet. And that’s because they become pray of the ones who have learned how to take advantage of talent. Therefore, while all they want is to do what they’re passionate about (sing, dance, you name it) they are compelled to follow some harsh rules they may not agree with, just to get to the top. And, in the process, they are seen as selfish by the ones who never got to know them properly (aka “real” friends). But when they do get to the top, the mirage of fame is “real” for a while (yes, intentional oxymoron here). Until they learn about the backstage games. But when they dare to speak up, too many doors close because they no longer obey “the rules” and no-one wants to deal with a “wide-open eyes” someone. The sadder part is that, whereas some people would feel sorry for these stars’ inner struggles, others would say “Yeah, right, poor X. They have all the money in the world, yet we need to cry for their misery. What a joke!”

How many times have you heard of such cases? But how many times have you honestly acknowledged the fact that you have no idea what those backstage games are and what those creative minds actually go through?

The people mocking these top personas don't understand that famous figures may be surrounded by tens of people, yet in their hearts there's a constant war. They will never understand how sad must it be to sit at the table with so many people, yet feeling alone; how difficult it must be to perform on a stage and to represent the main character for an hour, yet to hide a broken heart for the rest of the time; how much of a paradox it must be to be loved by so many strangers (who probably adore your status), but to have no-one to come back home to. And if they do have someone to come home to, most times that relationship is broken by envy or a certain degree of frustration.

But they swallow this bitter pill, so that they don't find an empty place when their minutes of shallow glory are over.

Given the situation above, would you think twice before wishing to have all the money in the world? Or would you agree to “sell your soul” for a while, just to have all that money? Or… what would option 3 be?

No, money is not bad

… if you know how to make it and what's the purpose of it.

Money is needed. We can't deny it. In a material world, we all need it, in order to survive. But how much we want and what our intentions of using it are should be the real questions here.

Going back to my “what if” I will answer straight away that, as a teenager or young adult, I would have no idea. And here’s where I believe that personal development comes in. But for that to happen, we need to live a while without having all that money. Because everyday battles with self and the world who holds tight of old systems beliefs is what will make us want a change. When we don’t have all the money we want, we see where are the issues. And we start getting ideas about our “what if”.

So, there, I said it: money is not bad. It's needed. But a degree of discernment is highly required, too.

I used to make plans in my head, in the last few years. But I never really thought about the question “what if I had all the money in the world?”. So, by writing this article and addressing this question to you all, here's my chance to answer as well.

What’s behind the smoky glass?

After all these years of working in the corporate world and, afterwards, trying hard to build my own business, based on my own ideas, I can answer. Partially. Because you never know what life has in store for you and when things can take a new turn. Remember that “the only constant is change” and that “action drives reaction”.

So, if anyone came to me today and asked me “What would you do if you had all the money in the world?” this is what I would answer:

(Tomorrow my answer may change, but let's give it a shot today)

#1

The first thing I would do would be to find some venture I can invest in, so that I have a recurrent revenue each month. And it can be a win-win situation. So, I’m not just taking, but I’m giving first.

Strong principle, right ?

#2

As I have been holding interviews for a while now and I am very fond of stories, but also self-development, I would do something about that. The thought of building and running my own magazine flourished in my mind in the last 2 years. And there are a multitude of reasons why I would love to do that.

I need to admit that it wasn’t my own idea, but the friend who saw the spark of a writer in me said one day “I see you running your own magazine in the future, but you need a team for that. Yet I know you’ll have it, since you’re too determined not to get what you wish for”.

(Can you see how much of an impact a few words, confidently spoken at some point, can have on one's life?)

#3

Together with my children, I would travel the world. And there are several very strong reasons in this. But the main point would be my eagerness to learn about other cultures, by living what they live, by seeing what they see and by being part of their environment. Weird phrasing (in the last part), but that’s the truth.

When thinking about countries like Nigeria or any other African state (or any other state you're a stranger to), you can't get a clear picture if you're not there. Only the image you see through your own (clean) glasses will be the most accurate. Regardless of how many pieces of news you read or listen to or of how many people tell you about their struggles, the picture will still be incomplete unless you set foot on that ground.

Only by being there will one understand how many funds are needed to rebuild a school, for instance. Or how much money is needed to buy clothes for all the children in a class. Or what is the amount that needs to be allocated to building a real, resistant infrastructure. And this is just an example.

Another very important reason for me would be the chance my kids would have to grow up with an open mind. And here I believe that, by interacting with as many cultures as possible, children can become amazing beautiful adults, who will care for the others and lend a hand whenever possible.

What's behind the reflection in the mirror for YOU?

I strongly believe that we all have dreams and, some of us, take constant action to bring them in a tangible state. So my question is as simple as possible (please be honest to yourselves, first):

If, where you are today, you hit the pot and had so much money you couldn't count, what would you do with it?

What would be the 3 things you would put your wealth into?

🖋️💙

📸 credits: Pixabay.com