From Wealth to Well-Being: A Journey Beyond Money

What makes you truly happy?? Is it Money or something else?

Growing up, my family had no money. My mother was born into a poor family of 14 children. My father was born into a poor family of 10 children.

With their families, they could charter a Toastmasters club.

My parents got married when they were in school.

Yes…they were both teachers in the same school…

Then they got busy raising 5 little kids…

We had little, but we were happy.

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When I was 11 years old, my father passed away from a heart attack.

Suddenly, all the burdens fell on my mom.

Our life hit rock bottom.

Money was never enough… food was never enough…?

My mother fed us first… and ate only what was left…

Our family allowance… was the money my mom borrowed from our neighbors…

Our only toys… were the ones our aunt gave us…

As you can imagine, my only dream in life was money money money...

make more money and repay all loans…

With the little we had, I studied hard to become a Certified Public Accountant.

Then one day… I moved to Bermuda with a huge salary in US dollars.?

Finally, I had money money money.

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In just 3 months abroad, I paid all our loans.?

My mom asked me, “Shiela, you’ve paid all your loans. Are you now going back home?”

Imagine, from nothing, now you have money money money… What would you do???

Of course, make more…. money money money.

??

Every year, I chase more money.

I also moved up the career ladder.

But I still felt there was something missing… What was it?

Honey, Honey, Honey?

No, it wasn’t.

I was at the peak of my career, chasing more money money money??

But… I was not truly happy.

I Burn out.?

My job became unstable.?

I lost touch with who I am.??

I had nothing to look forward to.

Then I realized just money doesn't make me happy.

Can you think of someone rich but unhappy?

During those times, I explored what I could do.?

One day, I spoke to a friend who was having difficulties.

I was there to listen and, from time to time, to ask questions.

In the end, she managed to find answers to her problem.

And then she said, “Shiela, you could be a good coach.”?

I realized everyone needs someone to talk to…?

I can be that someone.

I discovered a passion for coaching.

At last, I found meaning!?

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During COVID… I made a decision… from now on… meaning, meaning, meaning.

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I left my well-paying job and set up a coaching business.?

I had the company,?but no clients,?No money.. No honey.

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While finding clients to pay my bills, I even worked as a part-time tutor.

Imagine, I went from living the big life with a huge salary…

to the small life in a shoe-box-sized apartment, finding MEANING.

Almost every month, my income was not enough to pay my rent.

Then one day, my sister got sick.?

She was in a life-and-death condition.

We needed a huge amount of money,

I wanted to help. But I had no money.

Fortunately, my cousin loaned us.

I told my sister, "Ate, focus on recovering your health. I'll take care of the loan."

I thought she would thank me. She didn't, and she said, "Shiela, help yourself first so you can help me and others again”

I felt so guilty and ashamed that I chose to find meaning rather than to make money.

I couldn’t help my family when they needed me. I couldn’t even help myself.

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Then I realized just meaning doesn't make me happy...

Have you noticed that many teachers and volunteers are doing meaningful work, but they can't pay the bills?.

It’s been 3 years now since I’ve tried the unusual path...?

I’ve experienced joy, peace of mind and significance.

I see my value in this big world.

I decided to balance money and meaning.

I got a job in a company that gives me sufficient money and a balanced life.

Outside working hours, I get to do the things that I love. During weekends, I find meaning in helping others.

My friends,

We can chase money, but that's not enough.

We can chase meaning, but that's not enough.

Just like a bird that needs two wings to fly....

We need to marry money and marry meaning in meaningful ways so that we can soar high.

What about you??

What are you chasing??

Is it money, money, money, or meaning meaning meaning?

I wish, I hope and I pray that you also experience joy, peace of mind, and significance as you Make more money and Find more meaning.

Money Money Money by DTM Shiela Cancino