You're Not In Control
With Wealth Comes Restrictions
In the Netflix documentary, Miss Americana, there is a scene with Taylor Swift that is quite revealing. Swift, successful, rich, connected, famous, millions of fans and followers. Swift, who has accomplished becoming a successful musician and an icon in her own right. Swift, who has won awards, sold millions of albums and has won legal battles against Apple and Spotify, also a man who sexually assaulted her.
With accomplishments, money, fame and success she is powerless. In the scene she stands up to her manager and other team members that she pays. Swift even stands up to her parents. She’s in a verbal altercation with them. Fighting, even begging for permission to make a political choice. Taking a stand for what she believes to be the right thing. Swift simply wants to make a normal contribution to a Democrat in the primary election in her home state. She defends her point. She breaks down and starts crying. “Why can’t you let me do this? Don’t you see that it’s important to me?”
How could this scene be reality? What’s the point of all the success, money, fame, connections, and followers if Taylor Swift cannot act with the freedom she wants.
We think wealth means freedom. However, in most cases, large amounts of wealth and fame come with less freedom. With that much fame, money and power you inherit all kinds of limitations.
Is that why you want to be a millionaire or billionaire? Social media has many of you brainwashed to think that a good life means becoming rich. That all your troubles and worries go away. That you have true independence, freedom and control over your life.
This scene with Swift is perfectly timed. A stark reminder that with great wealth, does not mean you gain autonomy.
While this is not always the case, it actually happens more than you think. How can Swift be powerful in the moment? Suddenly all the money, fame and success doesn’t even matter. She is a prisoner within the very world that she created. To the people that she hired and pay. To the community she was raised in. She made her world and now she’s a slave in it.
Quite a powerful display of powerlessness.
So when you say to yourself success means money, or fame, or independence remember this moment with Taylor Swift.
When you want to pursue wealth by any means necessary, remind yourself that if you succeed, you’ll be a puppet to the wealth. It will invariably control you. Not you control it.
Thought Provoking Questions : What is the point of wealth?
Dan Roman is a Husband, Father, and writer that releases a daily blog. A quick read. Sharing wisdom and asking thought-provoking questions.
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