I realize we all need to eat and have shelter. That doesn't mean we need a mansion and gold coated strawberries. Those would be nice, but do we postpone happiness until we arrive at everything?

The Bible says that we cannot serve both God and money.

The Bible also says not to worry where our food, clothes and shelter will come from, as God takes care of the birds of the air, wouldn't He take care of us more?

This is true, there is a difference between being comfortably wealthy (which I would like to someday be) and being overly wealthy. Now you go into debt buying some island and your yacht needs rare extinct ply wood for your floors ordinary just wont do! Now you are right back to money worries! lol

I guess moderation is that best word really. Not poor, not extravagantly wealthy just comfortable.

However, according to Abraham, everything we desire is already in the vortex, therefore, we need only enter the vortex to realize all our desires, we don't get into the vortex by acquiring.

Calling money "the mighty buck" is quite plainly a derogatory name making it clear you are pushing money away. You think money is hard to get so you make up excuses like one has to miss out on their kids growing up to get money. So money avoids you so you can be with your kids. In human relationships it's called "the preemptive strike". You reject him before he rejects you. This somehow makes you feel superior consciously but in your heart you just feel sad and hurt.

My recommendation to you is that you really look into your relationship with money and try to heal it. Try "with all your heart" to listen to this young lady for starters... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJH2Ww8HXgo And if you won't even do that, then at least stop beating that dead horse in your life or trying to make others feel bad for having the relationship with money you could never seem to find. Just being straight with you Fairy Princess. Honesty matters here. Especially yours.

I don't have a problem with money. My point is that there seems to be a lot that people are willing to give up for money, when money isn't the source of happiness. Sorry you don't understand what I am saying. Watch anything that talks about what they most regret. They always say that they wished they would have spent more time with their family and less time working. They never say that their regret is that they spent too much time with their family so they were poor.

Oops, I meant to say to watch anything that interviews people at the end of their lives.

It's very common for people to make that realization "at the end". The ego does a wonderful job of justifying the means we create. My problem with your question is that you seem to be bundling Everyone who goes after "the mighty buck" as wrong because they don't realize that all that money won't make them happy if they sacrifice their families. Everyone does not do that! And those that do have their own lessons to learn. Just give them space to learn in their own way and be happy with your way.

Seems to me that there is more to this than you're letting on. Could it be that someone close to you is doing as you've described and it's making you sad to watch as the children, who you love, are suffering without that parent being in their lives?

Many kids sit in day care while their parents work at jobs they don't like. This 'pursuit of happiness' doesn't seem to get anywhere. The kids don't get what they need, the parents feel guilt, etc... I am not saying that working and making money is bad, I am saying that people are building a bridge to happiness right over the river of happiness.

Sorry I didn't get back sooner. I went to a weekend event. On our topic... I've always found one part of this equation very interesting. The whole idea that we, as adults, were once young and had dreams. And as we grow up, we decide to pursue those dreams. But along the way, other people come into the picture and on the one hand there is still the dream of a better life, but on the other is how our efforts affect those other people.

It's a real catch 22. Is the dream just so much rhetoric or do we as parents actually mean it when we encourage our kids to dream? Yes there is always a price to pay. Yes often the little ones loose out to some degree. Yes there are other ways to continue going for the dream. Yes all of this can be talked over and a plan set up that makes it easier for the kids. But if the parents aren't interested in that conversation, this point will be ignored.

I don't know your age nor do I know the age of the parents in question. But it's a sure bet that not only are they at that age where they want to accomplish much and have the energy and ambition to do so, BUT they are also trying to do it in an unstable economy. It's not like it was 40 years ago. Also, the responsibility to their kids is so much more than just being there for them on a daily basis. If they really love their kids, they're doing what they can to secure a better future for them.

Yes, they will sacrifice something in the process, but who is to say they won't gain so much more in the end. These things don't always turn out for the worse. And if there is disconnection from the kids, it will be handled eventually and sometimes it's to everyone's delight. It just might be a "bit" messy in the process but there are so many ways to handle the mistakes and emotions of the past. Again, so often the recognition of our biggest mistakes come late in life. There's little you can do.

A better future? What about a better Now?

It is not always fun. Many countries right now are in a financial crisis. There are many people looking for jobs while others have 2 or 3 jobs to support their families. There are people who barely see their kids grow up because they are working really hard for material wealth.

Again, it's a focus thing. LapisLazuli's glass is half full by considering the "possibility of fun". Many people have fun with their wealth AND give generously to charities. From your comment here I'd summize your glass is half empty. It's a choice and by your choice your heart says, "Your Wish is My Command".

@Fairy Princess I know many dont live in desirable situations, what I meant was it depends on how you look at the situation- chasing wealth from a place of need and struggle only brings more struggle. You can chase wealth in a fun way, rather than a needy way. It just depends on what you want- but any way you choose, the happiness must come from within first. If you are content, chasing wealth won't be a struggle and you will have family time.

It's just a perspective thing. Wealth is a neutral topic- its not right or wrong to want or not want it. It just depends on how you view it. If you see it as limiting and harmful, it becomes that in your reality. If you see it as fun and expansive upon your life, it will become that. However it affects someone is because of the lens they're seeing it through.

Why did you say "pursuit of happiness"? We don't have to go anywhere or search for it- just be it. :)

I mean by pursuit of happiness is that instead of aiming at the target 'happiness', they aim at the target 'wealth' in hopes that it will bring happiness. Or more passively, to focus on happiness directly instead of to focus on wealth as a means to happiness.

I didn't know that! You, then certainly are an example for us Princess! :)

Thank you @MagicalUniverse :)