The Greed Trap: How Short-Term Gains Can Lead to Generations of Pain

The Greed Trap: How Short-Term Gains Can Lead to Generations of Pain

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The Greed Trap: How Short-Term Gains Can Lead to Generations of Pain

Part 1 of 2

Money is energy, and when it comes to the topic of greed, the first thing that comes to mind is the fictional story of Gordon Gekko, the iconic Wall Street villain played by Michael Douglas in Oliver Stone's "Wall Street" (for inspiration I'm watching the movie right now on Hulu as I'm writing this article) this character is a testament to the dangers of greed. Gekko famously declared, "Greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right. Greed works," before his eventual arrest and imprisonment for insider trading. Greed is a slippery slope. It promises endless wealth and success, but often leads to a person's ultimate downfall.

How many times have my friends and I experienced days of HUGE gains while trading options, only to fall into the trap of GREED and desire for MORE, leading to a loss when unfavorable news is released causing our options to expire worthless? OUCH is all I can say on this one! At least we can laugh all together about our stupidity, right? The dangers of greed, however, are not limited to the fictional world of Wall Street. In both our personal and professional lives, greed has a tendency to cloud our judgment, distort our priorities, and prompt us to sacrifice our values and morals. It creates a never-ending cycle of desire where success is never enough, leading to burnout, stress, and a sense of lack.

Greed is characterized by an insatiable desire for more wealth, power, and possessions. Although it may bring short-term gains, the long-term consequences of greed are frequently devastating, not just for the individual but also for their children and future generations. It raises the question, why do so many successful and wealthy families have children who pass away at an early age? Is the GREED of MEN the root cause of these tragedies?

History is littered with examples of wealthy families who rose to power and wealth through greed, only to see their fortunes wane as the curse of greed took hold. The Rockefeller and Kennedy families are two such examples. Both families were once powerful and influential, but their legacies are now marred by the consequences of greed.

John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil, was once the richest man in America. However, despite his wealth and power, he was unable to solve the problems that plagued his family. His children and grandchildren struggled with issues such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, and sadly suicide, all of which were a direct result of the curse of greed.

Similarly, the Kennedy family, once a political dynasty, has also suffered from the consequences of greed. Despite their wealth and power, several members of the family have struggled with addiction, pre-mature deaths, and other issues that have plagued their personal lives. R.I.P. to my former Tribeca neighbors, JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.

These examples illustrate the harsh reality that wealth and power do not always bring happiness. In fact, the pursuit of wealth and power can lead to unhappiness and despair, as the obsession with acquiring more often leads to a neglect of personal relationships and one's own well-being.

While greed may bring short-term gains, it ultimately leads to long-term consequences that can be devastating. This occurs way to often when people prioritize immediate financial rewards, even if it means engaging in unethical or unsustainable practices, such as exploiting natural resources, disregarding environmental protections, or neglecting the well-being of future generations.To steer clear of the pitfalls of greed, it is crucial to maintain balance. This involves setting aspirations and working towards them, yet also acknowledging when we have acquired enough and valuing our beliefs, connections, and well-being over material wealth. This message of moderation is reflected in numerous cultural and religious beliefs such as the Torah, Quran, and Bible.

The Torah, as stated in Deuteronomy, encourages the act of being benevolent and helping those in need. The Bible, on the other hand, cautions against greed as a type of idolatry, where material possessions and wealth surpass the worship of God. Whether through spiritual guidance or personal reflection, it is imperative to understand the damaging consequences of greed and aim for a life of balance and satisfaction, instead of continuously seeking more. That is why I find practicing daily gratitude on the Happdaze app to be so powerful in keeping my life in perspective.

Is it no coincidence that the September 11, 2001 attacks took place in New York City, which is often referred to as the financial capital of the world A.K.A. WALL STREET the world capital of GREED. The attacks were carried out by terrorists who were motivated by a mixture of political, ideological, and religious grievances, and a direct connection to the city's role as a financial center. The World Trade Center, which was targeted in the attacks, was chosen by the terrorists because it was a symbol of American economic power and influence.

The universal laws of planting positive and negative seeds refer to the idea that every action we take and every thought we have has consequences that will either positively or negatively impact our lives. This concept is similar to the law of cause and effect and states that the choices we make today will determine our future experiences.

When it comes to greed, planting negative seeds can have long-term negative effects. Greed often leads to selfish and unethical behavior, such as exploiting others for personal gain, hoarding resources, and disregarding the well-being of others. These actions can have lasting consequences, damaging our relationships, reputation, and inner peace.

On the other hand, planting positive seeds through acts of kindness, generosity, and compassion can have long-term positive effects. These actions help to build strong relationships, promote fairness and justice, and create a more harmonious and fulfilling life. By focusing on positive actions and thoughts, we can cultivate a more positive future and avoid the negative consequences of greed.

As Mahatma Gandhi once said, "The earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed." The lesson is to strive for a life of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment, rather than a never-ending pursuit of only material wealth.

Be grateful be generous, do great deeds and plant great seeds.

Your future generations could be depending on it...Jamison

#PersonalDevelopment #Future #BestAdvise

Kayla Tangeman

Project Manager at Blue Scorpion Investments

1 年

Excellently said; I wholeheartedly agree with this message. Greed is a huge issue in the modern world. Articles like this give me hope for a better tomorrow.

Ryan Daniel Beck

Owner and Director: bodyART Training Studios

1 年

It’s amazing how potent and effective a daily gratitude practice can radically offset the natural inclinations toward greed. Interestingly, greed is a byproduct of subconscious scarcity mindset, thereby triggering behaviors that seek external validation, over-compensation, and obsessive taking. It’s been said that there are two things that define a person: your level of patience when you have nothing, and your level of humility and gratitude when you have everything.

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