Excess Dough

Crypto can indeed be a life-changing experience, unless you fall into the trap of greed at the peak and fear at the trough. Remember that Bitcoin family from Holland, who made waves back in 2017? They sold everything around 2016, jumped into Bitcoin, and hit the road in a van with their two young daughters.

Living solely off Bitcoin, they globe-trotted while BTC soared from one all-time high to the next. Wonder what became of them; haven't caught any updates on social media. Odds are, they've joined the billionaire club by now. Their newfound status likely pushed them into the shadows for a spell.

Caught an intriguing interview with Christian from MMCrypto last night. Can't say I'm a huge fan of his style—I steer clear of those wild, open-mouth prediction videos and sensational content. Still, the man's got quite the tale to tell.

Back in 2016, he was driving a modest $4,000 taxi. Today? He's sitting on a $100 million fortune. With a hefty stash of BTC, partnerships galore with crypto firms, a lucrative YouTube channel, and a swanky lifestyle in Dubai, he's living the dream.

I'm drawn to such narratives because they embody our innate drive for success. Who among us doesn't aspire to wealth and renown, or at the very least, to elevate ourselves above mediocrity? I've yet to meet someone who dreams of poverty, illness, or debt.

According to Christian, who transitioned from a humble taxi driver to a Bitcoin millionaire, wealth hasn't altered his core being. He insists that the most valuable investments money facilitated were indulging in good food and embarking on enriching travel experiences. Surprisingly, he asserts that the allure of Lambos pales in comparison, and accumulating more possessions doesn't necessarily enhance one's essence.

While I can't personally vouch for such sentiments, never having walked in the shoes of a millionaire, I've noticed a similar pattern in my own life. It seems that no matter how fervently I desire something, once it's obtained, the initial thrill quickly fades. Well, not immediately, but you catch my drift.

If everything were freely available, perhaps our relentless pursuit of material gain would diminish, and our propensity to overindulge would wane. Yet, it's the very desire for more that propels societal progress, although it doesn't necessarily contribute to our mental and physical well-being. We find ourselves toiling endlessly for money to fund extravagant purchases like fancy cars, designer clothes, and the latest smartphones. The stress of chasing these unattainable ideals consumes us, leaving us ensnared in a cycle of desire.

Consider the animal kingdom—those creatures don't gorge themselves unnecessarily, plants don't absorb more CO2 than required, and no matter how much water you pour on them, they won't exceed their natural limits. Humans operate similarly; regardless of wealth accumulation, our fundamental nature remains unchanged.

On the flip side, some individuals deteriorate in their relationships with others and themselves as affluence accumulates. I'm not advocating for poverty; rather, I'm championing the virtues of moderation and clarity.

Do I aspire to be a millionaire? Why not? Am I willing to compromise my values to achieve that goal, as society seems to suggest? Absolutely not. What about you?

Thanks for your attention,
Adrian