I had a question that’d been burning in my mind for several years. It was over something Matt Furey said on one of his products. So recently, I asked him. Not in an interview. Not for a product creation.
Just because.
My question (and his subsequent answer) may surprise you!
RDY: Here’s one I’ve been “marinating” on for quite a while now…
In one of your products, you mention that you can never be happy WITH money if you can’t be happy without it.
I’ve been dirt poor and lived in my car…and I’ve been successful. When I was living in my car, I wasn’t happy. Money is what allowed me to pay for food, clothing, shelter (that wasn’t a rest stop on the interstate), etc.
Money was what allowed me to provide for my 3 kids. Buy them toothpaste, a hair brush, and daily vitamins.
I don’t remember a time that I was happy without money.
How is it possible to be happy without money? I ask, mind you, not because I don’t BELIEVE its possible, but am curious to know HOW.
Looking forward to your response!
Rachel
MF: Great question. There are many people who are happy living in poverty. There are many who are miserable. Same is easily said about those who have money. Many are miserable even though they have all the material riches they ever wanted. Others are happy and they have money. This indicates that there must be another factor other than money or the lack of it that allows for happiness and peace of mind.
RDY: I just think back to that time when I slept with one eye open at rest stops along the interstate, worrying that the repo man would find me and take my car/temporary house and I can’t imagine being “happy” with that situation. Maybe happi-ER than if I was sick and all alone, but certainly not content with the direction I’d taken my life in!
I can’t imagine being happy living in poverty. Taking my kids to the movies in the middle of the day “just because we want to” is waaaay more fun. 
Thanks for the answer, Matt!
MF: And that’s why you’re no longer there. You can’t imagine it anymore – nor can you imagine being happy then. And theirin lies an answer. Those who can imagine themselves happy while poor – are. Those who can’t aren’t. Yet once the journey out of poverty begins in your imagination, so does happiness. Regardless of whether you are rich or poor, you cannot be happy unless you can imagine it first. There are plenty of miserable people who are in far better financial circumstances than you or I. There kids are drug addicted. There’s no peace in the home. If you think you must have money to be happy, then you have no power over your emotional state in the absense of it.
