Why money and not happiness

Power, Money, and the Truth Behind a Peaceful Life

History has constantly presented us with dramatic and transformative events—both good and bad. Yet, amid all the upheaval, there remains an existential threat, often rooted in the political networks of well-connected individuals and their personal agendas. Power is a curious thing: invisible, ubiquitous, and essential to success. Once power becomes visible, its upper hand dissipates, and it loses its ability to strike unnoticed. Power’s effectiveness lies in its subtlety, its unpredictability. When it’s predictable, people grow cautious, competitors can counterattack, and the force behind that power becomes neutralized.

While some might reject the idea of seeking power, I’ll admit, at least humbly, that I’ve always wanted influence. Not just over others, but over my own life. Influence over how events unfold, how decisions play out. Achieving this kind of influence is one of the toughest challenges I’ve faced. It requires conviction, ruthlessness, and a capacity to delay self-gratification. The mere thought of it often makes me question if it’s worth the sacrifices. Yet, when you see the fruits of your hard decisions and actions, when you begin to dominate your surroundings, your thoughts, and most importantly, your own mind—it’s undeniable. This, to me, is what true power is.

Power is often seen as a malicious force, something to be ashamed of, something linked to harming humanity. But I encourage people to view power as a form of freedom. It’s not about domination for domination’s sake, but about having the freedom to execute your plans and structure your life as you see fit. I am not against realism. In fact, I identify with it. But there are times when realism doesn’t provide the spiritual strength and determination that hope and ambition can offer. Even when the evidence is stacked against you, as long as your desires are rooted in good faith—aiming to improve your well-being and expand your future prospects—there is nothing wrong with wishing. In fact, this kind of wishful thinking is often what gets us through the hardest times. It’s what enables us to challenge the status quo, to force ourselves to think positively, and to overcome the disruptive forces in our minds that keep us stuck.

True power lies not in wealth, physical strength, or influence over others, but in the ability to overcome the internal forces that try to hold you back. Power is often most effective when it’s unseen, like the subtle, instinct-driven movements of serial killers or predators in the wild. Their strength is in their silence, in their ability to strike when no one sees it coming. And we, as humans, should learn to wield our power in the same way—quietly, efficiently, and purposefully.

The Role of Money in a Meaningful Life

Money, let’s face it, is essential if one wants to live a meaningful life. Whatever "meaning" means to you, studies have proven that a sense of community, purpose, and connection are often the true sources of meaning in our lives. This thought leads me to believe that one could theoretically create their own "cult," a community of like-minded individuals who share a philosophy or a drive. In this kind of community, the need for traditional money could be replaced by other means of exchange and value.

However, such communities are rare. And the way I was raised doesn’t allow me to be complacent with a life devoid of challenges, frustrations, and ambition. I thrive on those things, and they provide a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Interestingly, many people will tell you that money is not the most important thing in life. Let me tell you, in the capitalist world we live in, money is absolutely essential. One-quarter of the global population has access to a credit card, while the remaining 80% must live self-sustainably—often in communities where money is not even a practical form of exchange, or in developing countries where access to bank credit is limited, pushing people into riskier ventures like loan sharking.Unless you are subsidized by the state, money is vital—and has been since 600 BC. Money serves as a practical way to transact value, incentivize productivity, and fuel economic progress. Without it, humanity would not have advanced to where we are today. It’s foolish to deny this fact.

But money loses its meaning when it's used in ways that prevent personal growth or rob us of true fulfillment. I’m personally on a mission to prove that my attachment to money is not about serving my ambitions or existential voids. It’s part of a larger mission—to be an agent of change. Money, in this context, is not a tool to satisfy personal greed, but a means to meet our basic needs, to create social bonds, and to enjoy life when the mind and body require a reset. True richness in life doesn’t come from accumulating material things—it comes from freeing yourself from attachment to those things, from experiencing life in ways that transcend the superficial.

One of the most misguided forms of attachment is the desire to pay off a 30-year mortgage, or to own a car that barely gets used. These material pursuits can create false accomplishments, things we are biologically ill-equipped to handle because they aren't rooted in genuine human needs. Real fulfillment comes from connecting with others, helping them improve their lives, and acknowledging that we are all interdependent in creating a meaningful existence.

You don’t need to be obscenely rich to live a rich life. Money should only come into play when it serves a greater purpose, one beyond your personal desires. Excessive wealth often leads to short bursts of dopamine—a temporary pleasure—but not lasting fulfillment. The key is to hack those desires by imagining a future where the things you once craved no longer hold the same appeal. When you achieve that, you realize that many of those material desires were just fleeting moments of greed.

Finding Peace Through Struggle

At the end of the day, the real satisfaction lies in achieving what seems impossible—not for recognition, but for the deeper sense of purpose it brings. I’ve been fortunate to make decisions that align with a higher purpose—not for personal gain, but for the well-being of others, people I don’t even know, but who I feel responsible for. They didn’t have the serendipities I’ve experienced, and I feel compelled to share the fruits of that fortune.

This is why I’m passionate about the world of investing. It is essential, universal, and yet so many people disregard it, even though they’re the ones most affected by the decisions made by others in the financial world. Humans are capable of so much more than we often realize, as history has proven time and time again. I am proud to be human, and I will do whatever I can to make this world better for everyone.

Ultimately, we all seek peace. We are constantly chasing happiness and pleasure, but true peace is more elusive. When I’ve found peace, I’ve realized that concepts like happiness and pleasure are just distractions—dopamine-driven spikes that create a false sense of satisfaction. What we are truly seeking is inner peace, the quiet satisfaction that comes from knowing we’ve lived with purpose, resilience, and integrity.