A Little Bit More Is All You’ll Ever Need

John D. Rockefeller was the first billionaire in the United States, and wealthiest person in the world.  He was once asked by a reporter, “How much money is enough?” and Rockefeller replied, “Just a little bit more.”

Sadly, I think that sentiment sums up the thinking of many.  Just a little bit more to be happy.  Just a little bit more to be secure.  Just a little bit more…

“He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.”  Socrates

I’ve seen this phenomenon firsthand.  Several people I’ve grown up with set the financial goal to become a millionaire.  And to a person, when they reached that goal, they realized that $1,000,000 wasn’t enough, so they raised their target to $2,000,000, then $3,000,000.  As each milestone was achieved, higher goals were set.  Each time the response was the same, now that they were more educated about financial matters, they realized their initial goals were too low.  Just a little bit more…

“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are.  When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.”   Lao Tzu

How much more simple life would be if we determined today that what we have is enough.  How much do I need?  Less than I already have.