Money is a mirror – it reflects who we are not who we aspire to be

While reading Sudha Murthy’s House of Cards, one line struck me deeply: “Money has a strange way of making people behave. It only magnifies what already exists within a person. If you are a giver, you will give more. If you are a fearful person, you will become more fearful. If you are a spender, you will become a spendthrift.”

This made me pause and reflect on how true this is in life. Money, in many ways, is just a mirror, reflecting and amplifying who we already are. It’s not just about wealth—it’s about how our inner traits, whether generosity, fear, or extravagance, can be magnified when external resources come into play.

As someone who has walked many paths—mother, wife, professional—I’ve seen how true this is not just in myself, but in those around me. Whether we are in moments of abundance or scarcity, it’s our internal mindset that shapes how we interact with the world. Money is just a tool, but how we use it can either amplify our fears or enhance our values.

This lesson from the book reminded me of the importance of staying true to who we are, no matter the circumstances around us.