Most of us, if asked, would admit that we want more than we already have. Whether it’s money, relationships, career, or possessions, we’re wired to “reach” for more. This isn’t always a bad thing.  Considering the innovation we’ve experienced over the past 100 years and how it’s improved life for so many, I’m grateful that we keep reaching forward and upward. But, when it comes to finances, how can we know when reaching for more is not a good thing?

From Grateful to Greedy

I remember one Christmas morning when my daughters were 2 and 4 years old. There were at least a dozen presents under the tree for each of them from grandparents, uncles, aunts, and from us, their parents. As they began opening them, I noticed an interesting phenomenon. Perhaps you’ve experienced this yourself.  

The first gift they each opened provided that picture-perfect reaction of gratitude and joy. They were mesmerized by the gift and had we not handed them the next present to open, they may have spent the rest of the day enjoying it. With each gift they opened, they became less joyful and noticeably less grateful. I recall one of them quickly tossing one present aside after opening it, barely looking at it because more presents were waiting to be opened.

This phenomenon [condition] is quite common in us humans. When we don’t have much, we tend to be grateful for the little we have.  When we experience abundance, having more than we need or can consume, we lose our way, devaluing the things we have and reaching for those things we desire and do not yet possess. The good news is that this condition is not permanent; it can be properly diagnosed and cured. Although similar to a disease, it can lie dormant until the right stimuli cause it to appear and wreak havoc again.

Having balance in financial matters

Maintaining the proper balance is the biggest challenge when managing our finances. On one end of the spectrum, there are the desires to spend on the things that make life more enjoyable and fun. On the other hand, there’s the need to save so we can safeguard our future. We know both are necessary, but spending is fun and saving, well…let’s be honest, it’s not! Is it possible to maintain the proper balance between these two competing and equally important things? I believe it is. And the key is gratitude.

Practicing Gratitude

Gratitude is simply being grateful for what you have, a spontaneous emotion that comes from within. But it’s more than just an emotional response; it’s also a choice. We can choose to be grateful or we can choose to be ungrateful - to take what we have for granted.