Money Matters, But...?

 

”Life is not all about money”

Money is a bundle of notes and coins that have been approved as a monetary system by a country's government. Behind this seemingly simple concept lurks a maze of convoluted algorithms that keep this system together, as well as a total transformation in human philosophy and social machinery. Let us first examine the origins and distribution of money before delving into the subject of its significance.

Consider the case of Kim, a peasant in the 11th-century Indian hamlet of Rampur. He has a few dozen sheep and cows, as well as a two-acre plot of land. Land and animals were the most valued types of property at the period. To make ends meet, he works in dairy farming and agricultural cultivation. Joon , another farmer who cultivates fruits and has 20 kg of apple with him, approaches him one day. He expresses a desire to purchase two cows from Kim.  Kim  accepts, and the two of them are now involved in a deal. Kim  gives joon the cows and receives the apples in exchange. Take note of how this transaction differs from one in the current world. Kim and Joon both acquire what they want by exchanging specific "goods" rather than a few rupee bills. The barter system is what it's called. A commercial settlement was only conceivable if the other person explicitly owned what you desired in premodern interactions since there was no means of exchange.

    Only a limited economic network could be built on top of the barter system. As the world's population rose, so did the production of products, resulting in a massive inflow of people into the marketplace. The barter system was incapable of meeting the demands of a vast economy with hundreds of thousands of people.

     They would not have been allowed to enter into a deal if Joon wanted to buy the cows from Kim but he did not reciprocate Joon’s enthusiasm. Joon, on the other hand, might have simply purchased the cows if he had a currency or a note created by the ruler in power at the time, rather than searching for someone who wants his 20 kilos of apples.

    This is only one of the many ways money has changed the way the economy and markets work. The coins issued by the Greek emperors, displaying their faces and a symbol of the empire, were the earliest semblance of ancient money. Because they were issued by and so sanctioned as a means of trade by a sovereign power, namely the monarch, they could be considered as money.

    With the ever-expanding borders of empires made up of many different peoples, the emperors needed an unified system of administration to reign over such diverse subjects while also bolstering their confidence in his propaganda. As a result, a single monetary, judicial, and political system were established to project the impression of a unified empire under which a broad range of civilizations flourished.Money was introduced as a fuel for the motors of development and the contemporary economy. Money's success is due to the fact that it is authorized by the government and so has some worth that cannot be rejected based on a person's whims. It is one of the three most important causes that contributed to humanity's quick unity, the other two being religion and empires.

     Money has shown to be the single most effective tool in human history for breaking through the supposedly impenetrable boundaries of religion, caste, creed, and geography. With the emergence of money, hindrances established as a result of personal differences between persons have been reduced.

    Someone's faith in money allows them to do transactions with people they don't know because they trust the notes in the other person's hand. However, it was once unthinkable to believe that a few notes and coins would result in a total shift in human thought and civilization. "Money is the universal, self-constituted value of all things," declared Karl Marx, a prominent German philosopher, and theorist. As a result, it has stolen the entire planet of its true worth." In today's world, this is especially true. Money has clouded humanity's conscience. Moral ideals and relationships have taken a backseat to money, which now rules people's thoughts and emotions.

    People have become stone-hearted as a result of their insatiable need for money, which has pushed them to engage in immoral and unlawful actions, and has even turned members of the same family against one another. Nowadays, we hear innumerable stories about brothers fighting over property and children giving their own parents the cold shoulder over a property disagreement.

     Everything has been intertwined with money. It has been elevated to such a high status in society that moral standards have been diminished. In today's culture, the wealthy are admired. Friends and even life partners are chosen based on the amount of money in their bank account rather than the kindness in their hearts. This demonstrates the influence of money on our behavior and thoughts.

     We are told since infancy that finding a job and earning a good pay is a must. Every day, this is drilled into our heads. But we must question ourselves: how many parents place the same focus on instilling empathy and compassion in their children?

     Great commercial moguls frequently build massive empires by walking over many regular individuals. A person who is impoverished has no place in society. For billions of people all over the world, a good level of food, healthcare, education, and other basic means of survival are an unreachable fantasy. Rich individuals, on the other hand, stay in opulent hotels and consume high-end cuisine.

    A materialistic and artificial civilization has resulted from this obvious duality. It's like falling into a deep pit from which there's no way out. It's almost as though making money has become synonymous with existence itself.

    Being wealthy has become so idealized that many other aspects of a good life have virtually been forgotten. Money will never be able to buy everything. Health, family, love, and happiness are the three basic needs of a human being without which he or she cannot enjoy life, even if he or she has millions in the bank.

    'Health is riches,' they say. A healthy individual is a valuable asset. He will be able to make money and enjoy it. However, money or other possessions will not be able to replace the void left by an illness or disease. Yes, money can buy you good medical care, but it is only a temporary fix. Similarly, having people around you who can support you in difficult times and celebrate with you in joyful times in your life is something that money cannot replace. The fact that you have a place to call home is one of life's greatest blessings. Home isn't just a few walls or a collection of furniture; it's the people who wait for you to return every day and keep an eye out for you.

    "I was in a better position while I was at home." Except for those who have sold their soul to the 'commercial devil,' this is one of William Shakespeare's lines that everyone can relate to. People spend their whole lives striving to accumulate ever-increasing sums of money for the future, but they forget to experience life and spend time with the people who truly matter. Family is a once-in-a-lifetime gift. Money, cars, and homes come and go, but a strong, loving family that pulls you up when you're down will never leave your side.

    "In life, there is only one happiness: to love and to be loved." People spend their entire lives pursuing happiness, but they never glance out their windows to see the sun beaming or the world's blue ceiling. They refuse to accept the love that nature offers. Happiness is the simplest virtue to obtain, but only if you search in the appropriate places. Don't look for comfort in things that aren't real, such as vehicles, houses, or cell phones. Accept the adoration of those who genuinely care about you. The rat race to become 'rich' has no end in sight. When a person discovers real happiness, he or she stops chasing after money and finds harmony in their lives.

The belief that money is the panacea for all ills has been disproved. The only individuals who believe in this myth are those who have fallen into the temporal gain trap. Dhirubhai Ambani's meteoric climb from errand boy whose father was a rural schoolteacher to the owner of India's largest, and maybe the first, enormous commercial empire. His narrative has debunked the myth that money is the only road to success and celebrity. His parents struggled to keep the lights on in the house turned on, and he had few resources. Despite a poor background, he went on to be a driving force behind India's industrialization. Those who are sincerely committed to their goals carve their own routes. "Money can't buy you success." You must pay with less sleep, hard labor, and a refusal to give up."

History shows that once people pass away, the world remembers those who were either selfless and affected others or who produced a big discovery that revolutionized society, but it has little recollection of those who were wealthy. Good acts are more valuable than all the money in the world. Generosity and a thoughtful gesture make a lasting impression, but a rupee bill does not.

    Money, on the other hand, has wrought significant changes in society and accelerated humanity's progress, but it has also eroded fundamental human values. Humanity has been tainted by the sins of greed, thirst, and a never-ending rat race, which is at the foundation of practically all societal ills. Humanity requires a wake-up call, and each individual must reflect and propose a new democracy based on virtue, love, and goodwill rather than a monetary system marked by cruelty and consumerism. Money and things allow us to live in greater comfort and obtain the fundamental necessities of life. This is undeniable, however, it is important to remember that money is not everything, but money is something very important.

- Swathi M