Bonus Time

Well I haven’t written a blog for a while now.. apologies to all concerned – those who know me better will know I have been, and continue to be a little distracted of late (hehehe).


With the recent and ongoing war of words between central government and the banks over the alleged forthcoming bonus payments for bank executives, now may be a good time to reflect upon the importance of money.  The Education Secretary Michael Cove recently condemned the bank execs for appearing to exist in a parallel world to the rest of us.  Whilst I agree with him, from my own perspective he also cannot be too lacking in financial prosperity himself.  When people substantially financially better off than me complain about those richer than themselves I think it’s time to consider taking a step back (even if they are likely just scoring political points by enunciating such opinions to the world).

I think it’s true to surmise that all people are directly or indirectly affected by money.  Whilst commerce and cultural exchange can be seen as the only true one-world language currently in existence, it brings with it a whole host of troubles.  Responsibility, morality and philanthropy are the main antidotes to many of these problems and yet it cannot have escaped even the least clued-up in society that these are perhaps the characteristics most lacking when vast sums are at stake.  The bottom line is the world is still, and to some degree will always be, divided by the “have's” and the “have not’s”.  The worst examples are those who are willing to kill for financial gain, examples of which are found across the spectrum of society.  There are also exceptions.  Some at the top seek an understanding of the plight of those with less, to help define their own value as a human being, and some with less may see value in living a modest, hassle-free life.  So maybe the best solution to your own plight with this is some personal reflection – try for a moment to remove yourself from the equation of daily depressive issues of wants and desires and really ask yourself “what do you really value in life?”  The answer may surprise you.

Maybe like me you will find that if you are honest with yourself you place the most value in simply being happy, but how do you define happiness?  Many people mistake money for happiness, but someone once defined money for me as something which simply gives you ‘options’.  I think this is quite a healthy perspective.  Maybe the hardest part to this rumination can be having the courage to see beyond the natural human instinct for more.  It’s true I would like to have enough money to not have to worry about day to day concerns which force us into working, but I am heartened to realise that I am not being hypocritical here as my desire for money is bound by the constraint of knowing when to say enough is enough.  To want for a comfortable but humble life is perhaps the best way forward.  I’m not saying we should renounce our aspirations, but it’s probably best to consider money as a simple tool – and like all tools its effectiveness all depends upon how and when you choose to apply it.  For those who abuse it (you know who you are) let me remind you that it is usually better to put the tools of your trade down a moment and consider the broader forms of expression – have some compassion and understanding for example – then, and only then might it be appropriate to employ money.. once you have the in-situ wisdom to be able to see clearly how to best apply it.  You might even spend less money in the long run..