Dollar Signs in Her Eyes

1. 66

   Arachneaposted 8 years ago

   Sounds like the catchy title of a rock-n-roll hit, right? Actually, I've been thinking about my approach to pursuing things of interest such as hub pages, visiting with terminal patients, watching tv or engaging in crafts and other hobbies. One thing that stands out is that I do most things for the enjoyment of it. The only thing I expect to produce an income is my day job. And that only happens if I show up. If it generates income, than fine. But I refuse to make my every decision on whether the endeavor will make money or not. Or, whether extending courtesies which are important will earn me a dollar or not. What say you?

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      Barbara Kayposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I say, keep it up if you don't need the money. You are fortunate if you can do things just for the enjoyment of it.

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      paradigmsearchposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Sounds to me you like contributing to society. If you have the same intent when picking hub topics, the money could indeed come. However, even if you pick the right topics, it could still be between 1 and 2 years before you see any worthy traffic/income.

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      peachpurpleposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      it is good to enjoy something that you like besides your full time job.

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2. 66

   Arachneaposted 8 years ago

   Don't mistake me for a millionaire or anything, Barbara Kay. But, for me anyway, sometimes it's important to pursue enjoyment over dollars. And, like I said above, I have a day job. Now if I ever enjoy the luxury of not needing money or to pursue money, then that will be a hub for another day.

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      TIMETRAVELER2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I have lived my entire life putting money second and living life to the fullest first.  Now that I am old, I am so happy that I chose to live that way.  My memories are priceless and are ones few people every get to have.

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      Millionaire Tipsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I am a millionaire, at least by name, and agree that money isn't everything. There are many things in life that are more important.

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   Jodahposted 8 years ago

   If I start writing hubs just to make money..please shoot me. I'll continue to write for pleasure and if by some miracle it makes any money along the way GREAT, that's a bonus, if not it's no big deal. if money drives everything you do you have a sad life I think.

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   Marie Flintposted 8 years ago

   Do What You Love, the Money Will Follow is the name of a book and a philosophy in which I believe. While I have zippo in my house of finances, my daughter balances out that karmic pattern (she has five planets). She swears by Suze Orman and has a license for financial advising.
   
   Life gives us exactly what we ask. If you focus on relationships, then  you'll have relationships. If money is your priority, then that's what you'll pursue and accumulate. My interests lie in spirituality and world peace, not a very lucrative endeavor, but it's what's important to me.
   
   I function from the belief that I already have what I need. Of course, I do have to deal with that little carnal ego from time to time that tries to convince me otherwise. My favorite line from an affirmation is: I am the fulfillment of all my needs and requirements of the hour.
   
   Isn't that nice? ***

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5. 90

   Kylyssaposted 8 years ago

   Having to make every decision based on how much money you can make on it is a good definition of extreme poverty. If you can only do things that earn money it means the world needs to change. Since millions must and billions are expected to, clearly, the world needs to change.
   
   I look forward to the day that even the poorest child in the world goes to bed well-fed, clean, safe from harm, and unafraid of tomorrow, next week, or the rest of her life.

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6. 90

   Kylyssaposted 8 years ago

   Rich or poor, you only get one life. If you don't do things you love and believe in during that life, you never will.

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7. 66

   Arachneaposted 8 years ago

   I agree with you, Kylyssa. There is a large percentage of the world that exists below subsistence level and those individuals, many of them, spend much of their waking hours trying to find a way to acquire food, shelter, clothing and other things many members in the remaining percentage of the population take for granted. I would not fault anyone who can barely survive on a day-to-day basis. You're also right, some things have to change.
   
   In a smaller percentage of the population that is able to make ends meet, the desire to have for themselves and prevent anyone else from having is very much a part of their day to day motivations. Whether it be intellectual prestige, monetary acquisition or some other material thing, some people go out of their way to keep it for themselves or their exclusive community and deny it of others. They also are able to pursue their interests whether for pleasure or business without giving it much thought. Many of these people spend every waking thought trying to come up with ways to acquire even more than what they have, even money.
   
   But for those of us who are in between who have choices for acquiring money and material things, making the choice to expend one's energies in sating their passions, being ruled by the acquisition of money is an unfortunate state in which to exist.
   
   Existing in the state of extreme poverty isn't a choice for many, but for a few, it's their personal choices that have landed them where they are and they may have to exorcise their demons in order to move on to a different state of circumstances.

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      Kylyssaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I consider people with even a lot of money to have visited upon themselves a state of extreme poverty if they are only able to consider the monetary aspects of life. It's forced on millions out of need but pushed on others without need by their upbringing and society.

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         Arachneaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         I can see your point, Kylyssa. The potential to become "bankrupt" is more likely when one has an abundance and doesn't use it in a way that also includes sharing with or helping others.
         
         I feel strongly that there's merit in the concept of "noblesse oblige." Wiki has a good entry on the subject: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noblesse_oblige.
         
         This is a roughly adequate definition:
         
         noblesse oblige
         1. the inferred responsibility of privileged people to act with generosity and nobility toward those less privileged.
         
         I take it a step further, however. If I have an over abundance of time, share it with someone else in some meaningful way to brighten their day or make their lives better. If I have more than I can use of anything, give some to someone else who might also be able to use it. If I have a skill by which I earn an income, use that skill to help out someone else in need and don't charge them, or if you  must charge them only a fraction of what you charge a regular customer.

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8. 89

   Marisa Wrightposted 8 years ago

   Everything you mention, except writing for HubPages, are your contributions to society and of course, money is not a consideration.
   
   Personally, though, I still feel slightly uncomfortable about what I'm doing here on HubPages and elsewhere on the internet.
   
   In the old pre-internet days, we amateur writers had to settle for sharing our work with family or friends.  It was the professional writers who got the wider audience and they were paid for their skill accordingly.  Now, the fact that thousands of writers can publish for pleasure has driven down the income of professional writers dramatically.   Journalists are losing their jobs all over the world.
   
   It would be nice to say our efforts don't matter because people will always pay for quality but I don't find that's the case.  In that regard, I'm not entirely unhappy with Google's efforts to remove amateur writing sites from search engine results, even though it will affect me.

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9. 66

   Arachneaposted 8 years ago

   I'm not clear how "watching tv or engaging in crafts and other hobbies" would also fit into contributions to society? Though I sell many of my craft and hobby items, I don't consider them a contribution to society unless I "donate" them. Would you clarify that please?
   
   Perhaps we're not on the same page.

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      Marisa Wrightposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Oops, I must admit I read your OP, then did some other things while I thought about it, and by the time I got back it seems I'd forgotten exactly what you'd written!
      
      However, the point still stands I think - you do some things for fun, and some things for the good of others - and if money figures in them at all, it's a bonus.   And they don't hurt anyone.  However I'm always conscious, in the back of my mind, how indulging my hobby of writing does hurt those who want to make it their profession.

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    Lisa HWposted 8 years ago

    These days there are so many options for people who can write, I don't really think anyone has to compromise his own values, plans, etc. in favor of "money and nothing else".  There can be choices about how much money can/must be made in how much time, how long someone is willing to build something in order to have it eventually pay off, etc.; but I don't think that the person who wants/needs to make money from his/her writing always has to choose "either/or".  I don't think either, though, that taking on projects just for the money means letting who and what is important in life rot.
    
    That's the good thing about being able to write - You can do all kinds of things with the skill of writing without any soul-selling required.  I don't consider writing something (of decent quality and value to the reader, or even to whoever paid the writer to write it) with the idea of earning potential in mind to be "soul-selling"
    
    I don't know....    First, if you're a mother, and then if  you're a mother who has some serious scores to settle on behalf of your children/family, and then yourself; and if you're generally a person who likes to make the wisest and most efficient use of your time and efforts....    all signs (as they Magic Eight-Ball says) can appear to point to one writing for reasons other than money.  Believe me, though, there is very little I've ever written that I've written for any reason other than getting money out of "the deal", one way or another.  We do what we do with the resources and time we have.  I think we all know when/if we're selling all or part of our soul when we do it.
    
    It turns out, however, that there can be a serious and disgusting price for refusing to sell one's soul (long story); and my kids and I, and other family members have paid over twenty years' worth of serious price.  (Who knew that would happen???     ). 
    
    There was no Internet when my children were young, and the best I could do was part-time projects.  If someone who writes online today has young kids, and if that person can sit at their computer and whip up a zillion articles with nothing but dollar signs in mind; I see nothing wrong with that as long as they don't steal, cheat, or otherwise sleaze.  Things were too complicated for me when I first found "writing sites" and when most of them were so new anyway (and when "official word" was that grammar didn't matter any more, and nobody would ever read more than 300 words at a time).
    
    I don't know....    I think when it comes down to it, most of us pretty much know (whether we write or do anything else in life) whether or not we've put ourselves, money and/or our ego first and sold a little bit of, or a lot of, our soul (if we have much of one in the first place).  I just don't think things are always a matter of altruism or meaning versus money and nothing but money.

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11. 66

    Arachneaposted 8 years ago

    With a narrow viewpoint, the schools focus mostly on the three R's: reading, writing and 'rithmetic. Other courses are offered to provide a more well-rounded skill base. As adults, if the only thing on our plate is earning the almighty dollar, pound, peso or what have you, then we become rather dull as people to be around. Dealing with a person whose preferred topic is whether something will make a dollar or not, is rather tedious. When dealing with questions for which the answer is always whether something will produce income, then again, boring! I know it's hard for some folks to recognize that not everyone approaches life from the point of making money, but it thought one might entertain, at least when providing advice.

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       Kylyssaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       I prefer to love the possibilities rather than the receipt for the possibilities. Money is a necessity but it's just a tool, not an end.

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          gmwilliamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

          Money is indeed a necessity.  In fact, it is more than a physical necessity.  It is also a sociocultural means of power and influence.  If one is wealthy, he/she has the power to influence society.   Wealthy people are more respected than those who aren't wealthy.   The wealthier classes have the power and influence while the poorer classes are powerless and OWNED.  The poorer classes are in fact latter day slaves whether they acknowledge it or not.

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             rebekahELLEposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               While money is a necessity, it's not necessary to be wealthy to be successful and happy and respected.  I disagree with your statement that wealthy people are more respected, especially in the last decade.  Respect is earned.  I respect those who treat others humanely with dignity and compassion.  Those seem to be qualities that are often lacking with the very wealthy and 'powerful'.  I recently read that the more money one makes over a certain dollar amount, the more people want, it's an endless cycle of always wanting more.  That's not how I live or desire to live. While money is a necessity, it's not what motivates me or inspires me.

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                gmwilliamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                Despite what you have stated, money is the main measurement of respect and power in this society.  Poorer people simply aren't respected, they are viewed as pawns pure and simple.  A wealthy people can implement things e.g. Oprah used her power to have Obama elected as president, she also used her influence to greenlight unknown authors.  Money is power.   Poorer people do not have such influence, what they say is ignored because they are NOBODIES, of no significance. These are the facts.  Poorer people are nonentities.  Wealthy people have CLOUT.  They have pull and call the shots.  Poorer people(that includes the middle class) DON'T have clout.  They usually accept what is given or dished out. They are simply slaves.

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       Jodahposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       I so agree Arachnea, couldn't have put it better.

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    Kiss andTalesposted 8 years ago

    Very interesting this may be true. But there is a scriptures that says it can be short lived.
    What about people in the Great Depression who was rich. Really the poor became rich because they knew how to make the soup,they knew how to survive.
    They new how to live without the money.
    I try to keep in mind this scripture.Reference Bible Mt 19:29 And everyone that has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive many times more and will inherit everlasting life. 
    Is living forever more important  then the paper dollar?
    As written and will be the case again. 
    Reference Bible Mt 19:30 “But many that are first will be last and the last first. 
    Reference Bible Mr 10:31 However, many that are first will be last, and the last first.” 
    This applies to the rich and poor.

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    Kiss andTalesposted 8 years ago

    That is why it is written Reference Bible Heb 13:5 Let [YOUR] manner of life be free of the love of money, while YOU are content with the present things. For he has said: “I will by no means leave you nor by any means forsake you.” 
    That is the real treasure.

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14. 66

    Arachneaposted 8 years ago

    Well stated, rebekahELLE.

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    Kiss andTalesposted 8 years ago

    What you have stating is true in this society ! Does not make it fair to down the poor because they do not have what others have. Their richness is not money or power.
    Can it be taken away ! Yes, they can lose it. So many were rich and lost their wealth
    Because they refuse to pay the taxes on the money, or they get sued by some one they did wrong to.
    And what about the people who win lotteries and lose all their winnings ,
    And the many false friends that come and go.
    Richness in this world is limited.
    Reference Bible Lu 12:21 So it goes with the man that lays up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”

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       gmwilliamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       -1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
       GIVE IT A REST!  Poverty is neither noble nor glorious!
       

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          Kiss andTalesposted 8 years agoin reply to this

          Provety may not be an advantage ! but it does not make the heart turn callous ,and inconsiderate of others, nor does it look down on others.
          The rich people I have come to know and want to know are those that are sentive to others, those that reach out to help the disadvantage, those that help those who are hospitalized and can not help their situation , who are poor because of their hospital bills , because life is being rich , not your money that can not buy it. 
          So no matter what you say it is all you have built up in your head to believe. I feel sorry for you
          That that is not reality ,it is just a mirage that is seen and not real.

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             gmwilliamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

             By the way, there is an apartment building complex on Park Avenue going for $5.00!  Your argument is getting mundane, even ludicrous.  You sound like an elementary school child who hasn't been exposed to the world. Money is VERY IMPORTANT in this society.  The more money one has, the better his/her life is and will be.  Live in the real world, not in Fantasyland!  You're not in Kansas anymore, my dear!  If you want to live on socioeconomic scrap heaps, BE MY GUEST!   It is ALL about the Benjamins!
             

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                Kiss andTalesposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                You are rich why don't you buy it!

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    Arachneaposted 8 years ago

    I envy those cultures (precious few) in which it is considered impolite and not appropriate to discuss financial information and concerns.

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    aesta1posted 8 years ago

    Was it Ford who said, I have been poor and I have been rich...rich is always better. I think having money is great. It depends on one's attitude or one's character. If you are a kind hearted person and has concern for others, you will use your money to do so. Even if you have nothing much, you will still do it as that is who you are. I certainly admire people who do everything they can to feed their families. The first time I volunteered, I realized that even when you are poor, you still can share. The people I thought I was going to help showed me that money is not everything. They shared whatever they had.

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       Kiss andTalesposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       I so agree A1 .think about it when Katrina hit what really mattered the heart of the matter was more important then the thought of who was rich and who was not.
       The rich and the poor was in the same condition.
       Suppose people would have used that same mind of thinking I am rich and better then you.

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    gmwilliamsposted 8 years ago

    Like it or not, it's REALITY, the world belongs to those with the most socioeconomic power and leverage.  Money TALKS!
    

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    Kiss andTalesposted 8 years ago

    Reference Bible 1Jo 5:19 We know we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the [power of the] wicked one. 
    Reference Bible Joh 14:30 I shall not speak much with YOUanymore, for the ruler of the world is coming. And he has no hold on me, 
    
    Reference Bible Joh 12:31 Now there is a judging of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 
    So will his money!

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    Kiss andTalesposted 8 years ago

    New World Translation Mt 22:39 The second, like it, is this: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ 
    How can you obey this commandment if you Seperate people by monetary means.
    This scriptures does not say love people that are rich. Love people that are poor, it simply says love your nieghbor as yourself . We all are neighbors sharing the earth ,
    Success in this world is not based on the success Jesus worked for.
    His happiness was spiritaul. Not on money.
    Judas died forever because of the love of money.
    New World Translation 2Ti 3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, 
    we should not live up to these words.

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    J - R - Fr13m9nposted 8 years ago

    You have a strong desire to spread good karma around, which I feel is a positive move. Encourage yourself to go out and share good will with humanity. You will feel personal enrichment when you accomplish this goal.

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       Kiss andTalesposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you for your positive feed back. I have most of my life shared the wonderful words of The Heavenly Father and his son Jesus but more so now because ! People  already know  basics of the messages from the bible . But there are deeper things over looked ,and there are sacred secrets open for us to know , I have been blessed to listen and learn them , and here on HP I have been given an opportunity to share these wonderful treasures . but in such a away that many will also understand and come to a accurate  knowledge of truth from God's own words not mine . Most people know the books in general but the deeper things are the more vital important parts of the bible   .but there are messages that people over look ,misunderstand,or just do not get the meaning of purpose. It is available to those that want to know the truth. But they really have to want it enough to accept it even if it condemns or mirror them self in conduct that may be good or bad.
       For the bible is not bias to race ,man ,woman, child, married people ,single people, rich or poor. It words are living in us.
       It also tells our history better , it also tells us a theme most people do not know. It also tells us how God went about working out a cure for us from the garden of Eden ,while at the same time allowing satan his challenge of rather we could rule our selfs. For decades he has not interfered. With the slander and accusations of satan and his followers. All soon to end any day or time .but as long is there is time to help people learn what is ahead we must let people know because every life is accountable. Rather willingly or not .
       These are important scriptures we all should keep in mind.
       
       Reference Bible Ro 14:10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you also look down on your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; 
       
       Who all will be before the Heavenly Father in that judgment all humans ,notice.
       
       Reference Bible Jude 15 to execute judgment against all, and to convict all the ungodly concerning all their ungodly deeds that they did in an ungodly way, and concerning all the shocking things that ungodly sinners spoke against him.” 
       
       Reference Bible Mt 12:36 I tell YOU that every unprofitable saying that men speak, they will render an account concerning it on Judgment Day; 
       
       So with those written thoughts we are not to think we are such free spirited that we can say and do as we please even with disrespect of this subject. Because we all will be counted.
       
       Thank you for your kind replies.

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