Choose to Take the Journey

I’ve known several people who were born into money and I can tell you that most of them are soft. Weak. Undisciplined, and unhappy. They cry at the slightest provocation, give up at the first sign of resistance, and complain incessantly. This is because once you’ve achieved a certain level of sustenance and stability, money can no longer buy happiness, only stimulation. The real currency of happiness lies in your courageous deeds and your positive effect on the world. Through these, your heart will find peace. If you don’t believe me, study anyone who is consistently happy and fulfilled, and you will find that he is constantly focused on his personal growth and his interpersonal contribution. Laziness and selfishness will only beget a restless spirit.

But not all modern royals are lost causes. Some, like Donald Trump, were born wealthy and groomed to be even wealthier. Judging by his interaction with his kids, you really get the impression that one is not born a Trump; one must earn the right to become a Trump. That is, even the prince and princess must embark on their own journey. This is what causes one family to explode in wealth from one generation to the next, while another falls from golden grace in the span of a few decades.

Do not be envious of the rich. Be envious of the successful, and learn from them. If a tree is to grow tall, the soil must have the right nutrients. What kind of food do they eat? It must have sufficient sunlight. What kind of books do they read? It must have a well-developed root system. What kind of habits have they cultivated? God does not care which trees are born the tallest; he cares only that they reach for Heaven.

When the storm comes, those who have earned their place will remain standing, while those who got to where they are by inheritance, luck, or thievery will be scattered like dandelion seeds borne by a strong wind.