Chasing Wealth, Losing Happiness While Time Slips Away

Growing up, I always dreamed of being rich. I thought that if I had enough money, everything would fall into place. I’d finally be able to provide for my family, live comfortably, and most importantly, I’d never have to worry again. No more stressing about what to eat, where I’d sleep, or how we’d get by.

I remember being so self-conscious about the clothes I wore and the house we lived in. The teasing from other kids at school didn’t make it any easier. In my mind, wealth would solve it all. But as I grew older, life showed me something different. I realized that while money can make life easier, it doesn’t guarantee happiness.

Happiness is something we all chase, whether we’re rich or poor, but it’s not a permanent state. Like a wave, it comes and goes, and no amount of money can keep it constant. It’s okay not to feel happy all the time, being human means experiencing a wide range of emotions.

Dreams Of What Money Could Solve

Even with this realization, I can’t deny that I still dream of having enough money to help my brother get the proper care he needs. My brother struggles with schizophrenia, and it makes it difficult for him to live a functional life. His condition impacts so many areas of his daily routine, especially his ability to maintain personal hygiene.

As a result, his teeth are in poor condition, and it breaks my heart knowing that something as simple as a smile isn’t as easy for him. I dream of finding a skilled dentist to restore his teeth and, more importantly, his confidence. I also wish I could afford to place him in a supportive home where he would be cared for, fed, and surrounded by compassion. You can read more about his story here.

I’d help my father, who’s now struggling at 61 after spending years sacrificing everything for his family. He tried to help a child who turned their back on him, leaving him in a tough financial and emotional situation. Seeing him still fighting every day just to get by weighs heavily on me.

And then there’s my grandmother. I dream of feeding her all the meals we couldn’t afford when she was alive, the kind of food she used to wish she could give us when we were growing up. I wish I could’ve provided her with the comfort she deserved while she was still here. Sometimes, I imagine visiting her with a full table of food, her favorite dishes, just to see her smile one more time. That thought alone pushes me to keep going.

All That Glitters is Not Gold

Growing up, I often wished I could be anyone but me. I envied celebrities, imagining how much better life would be if I had their wealth, fame, and picture-perfect lives. They seemed to have it all, and I used to dream of trading places with them. But recently, I watched a movie called Smile, and it made me think about fame and wealth in a completely different way.

Celebrities live under the spotlight, and while their lives may look flawless on the surface, there’s a lot we don’t see. Whether they’re musicians, actors, or dancers, they carry an invisible weight. They perform through pain, work through exhaustion, and suppress their mental health struggles, all while trying to meet the impossible demands of their careers. No matter how they feel, they have to show up because the world expects it of them. And when they can’t keep up, many of them turn to drugs or other means to cope.

I used to judge celebrities who overdosed or struggled with addiction. I thought the answer was simple, just don’t do it. But as I’ve grown, I’ve come to see things differently. Their lives are not as glamorous as they seem. The constant grind, the pressure to be perfect, and the inability to slow down would be unbearable for anyone. They don’t have the luxury of taking a step back, even when their mind and body are breaking. It’s a lifestyle that would push anyone to their limits.

Understanding the Strain

Just the other day, I had a splitting headache while trying to work on a blog post. I took some Advil and waited for it to kick in, but hours later, the pain was still there. I was fortunate enough to put my writing off until the next day, but the experience made me think about celebrities.

They don’t have the luxury of rescheduling at a thought. Their schedules are jam-packed with tours, meet-and-greets, and press events. Canceling isn’t just disappointing fans, it can cost people their jobs. In their world, time truly equals money. That kind of relentless schedule would be unbearable with constant pain or exhaustion. 

The more I think about it, the more I realize how easily that pressure could lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance abuse. The need to numb the pain and keep going becomes more of a necessity than a choice.

A Reminder to Myself (and Maybe You)

I want you to read this as a reminder that everything isn’t as perfect as it seems. Sometimes we need to stop and appreciate what we have. And it brings me back to faith. Looking back, I realize that while I may not have been rich, I had love, and I had people who cared about me. That’s something money can’t buy. Sometimes, we get so caught up in chasing wealth and status that we forget to appreciate the blessings we already have.

Faith teaches us to trust that we are provided for, even when it doesn’t feel like much. It reminds us to value the people in our lives, to cherish the moments we have with them, because one day, we might look back and wish we had more time with them.

So, before you chase that next goal or dream, take a moment to remember the people who make your life worth living. You don’t need wealth to find happiness. What you truly need is love, faith, and the people who stand by you through it all.

Greatest Gift and greatest Enemy

As I’ve gotten older, I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to chase my dreams. However, a new worry has surfaced: I now realize that time, my once constant companion, has slowly become my enemy. I sometimes get so caught up in chasing the future that I forget to cherish the present. And when that future finally arrives, I’m hit with the realization that the very thing I once wished would go faster, time, is the same thing that has quietly taken away moments, turned loved ones into distant memories, and, in some cases, created enemies in the form of regret.

I’ve also come to see how, as time moves forward, our most valuable gift, our health, begins to deteriorate. As children, we eagerly awaited time to speed up, to grow up, and step into what we imagined would be a brighter future. But now, as adults, we wish time would slow down, so we could hold on to what we have just a little longer.

Time is both a blessing and a bargain. With its passing, we hope to achieve our dreams and find ourselves in a better position, but it also brings inevitable loss, loss of family, of cherished friendships, and even of pieces of ourselves. It’s a painful yet humbling reminder that while we can’t control time, we can choose to embrace the people and moments we have right now.

The True Wealth of Cherished Moments

I’m grateful for where I am now and thank God for how far I’ve come, but now more than ever, I feel a deep emptiness inside. Growing up was tough, but I miss the days when I came home from school to my grandmother cooking chicken back and rice from the shop.

I miss following her to the river to wash our clothes, the smell of fresh water and soap lingering in the air. I miss those nights cuddled under a sheet with my brother, her voice weaving scary stories that kept us captivated.

Now that she’s gone, I feel selfish for moving away in the final years of her life. I knew how happy she was when I visited, but I never truly understood it until now. I miss the light in her eyes when she saw me. She never held me back, never asked me to stay longer, even though I can’t imagine how much she must have missed me.

A Life of Regrets

I also regret the time I spent quarreling with my older sister, who is now gone. The fights, the misunderstandings, so much left unsaid. She was more than a sister to me; she was a friend, a protector, someone I always thought would be there. Losing her too soon left a void I can’t fill, and I wish I had known then how much time I was wasting with petty disagreements.

Why is it that we don’t realize these things until it’s too late?

I would trade any wealth or material thing for just one more moment with them, and with all the loved ones I’ve lost. The memories of their laughter, their warmth, and their unwavering support fill the spaces in my heart that nothing else can. I’m deeply grateful for the love we shared, and I’m thankful that I have those precious memories to hold onto.

They serve as a constant reminder that true wealth isn’t measured by money, but by the people around you, the love you give and receive, and the fleeting moments you cherish. These memories are treasures that no amount of wealth could ever buy, and they mean more to me than anything else in this world.

Living with Faith, Love and Gratitude

All my life, I chased wealth, never stopping to enjoy the moment or truly appreciate what I had. The material things I thought I needed now seem so insignificant. The very time I once wanted to speed up, I now wish I could turn back. I didn’t realize that by chasing wealth and rushing towards the future, I’d end up losing something far more valuable, those who truly matter.

Looking ahead, I aspire to live by faith above all else. I want to be a person who cherishes their loved ones, offering the same love and support my grandmother gave me. Furthermore, want to share my faith with others, through both my words and, more importantly, my actions and how I live. I want to be sure I don’t take the time I have with loved ones for granted, because time is precious and easily lost.

What I long for most is to be present, to love fiercely, and to live with a heart full of gratitude. I want to savor each moment, appreciating what I have now so that when the next season of life comes, I can face it with peace and clarity. Life is fleeting, but love and faith ground us in what truly matters. No amount of money can replace the joy of living life to the fullest and being surrounded by those who mean the most.