Principal's Message Week 10 Term 3

I met a man recently who seemed nice enough. We made polite conversation.

When I meet new people, I am always particularly keen to avoid the “what do you do for a living?” question, as I certainly don’t want others to be defined by what they do. Likewise, I don’t want to be defined by what I do. I would much rather people get to know me for who I am on an initial meeting.

As the evening unfolded, this inevitable question was asked of me. He in turn offered his profession: an investment banker. This man is clearly a person of some influence and intellect. He has lived in most capital cities of the world and is truly a global citizen. On no less than three occasions, he casually wove into the conversation about how much money he has. He talked about how obsessed Australians are with ostentatious displays of wealth and comfortably remarked how unimpressed he was by anyone who drove a particular brand of vehicle (insert German car maker here), or by their postcode. It was important that I understood that he could buy and sell most people several times over.

At this point, the conversation became tiresome. I proffered that my wife and I wouldn’t know much about excessive wealth, as we are both schoolteachers. And we all know schoolteachers are not in the rich and famous set! I think it was at this moment that he became distinctly disinterested in continuing the encounter.

In 2010 a Princeton University study found that emotional wellbeing increased as income increased, but peaked at about $US75,000 per year. After that, happiness plateaued. In other words, you don’t get that much happier having that much more money. In today’s terms, that’s about $AU160,000 per annum. Having it all (in terms of money) does not make you ecstatic. Nor does it guarantee that you are interesting! Conversely, having nothing can make life very hard.

My mother-in-law came to Australia just after WWII as a displaced person. She often remarked: “those who say money doesn’t buy happiness, have never been starving. I have.” Money can buy lots of things, especially food. Although she never attained monetary wealth, she certainly had moments of great happiness, and purpose.

Interestingly, our fantasies about wealth are often fed by media that seduce us into wanting more, and thinking we need more, even when we don’t. Feeling like we need to keep up with the “Joneses” can be crippling. When our neighbours or family members get a new boat, car, or jet ski, or trip away somewhere exotic and we are struggling to meet the mortgage and pay the bills, life can seem unfair. The exterior picture of success and happiness can make us envious. We all know though that if we scratch just a little, this veneer or artifice can soon fall away.

My riches have come from almost everywhere except my bank account. I am not complaining for one minute about my material fortune, but let’s be clear, I’m not an investment banker! I am grateful every day for my family, for the good friends on whom I can rely, for my interests and passions that help give my life meaning, and for my good health.

I am grateful that I have a roof over my head, and enough money to pay my bills. I am grateful for the love I receive from those who care about me. And I am grateful that I get to do a job that is a chosen vocation – one where I have the immense privilege of maybe having some small influence in the life of a young man; working with you as parents to help grow a decent human.

Let us resist the temptation to compete for more, and better, and concentrate more on what gives us meaning and purpose. Let us also be reminded of resisting passing on to our children that success is measured by the dollar amounts in our accounts. A person’s worth is not measured by the fatness of their wallet, but rather by the person they are.

The Gospel reminds us that our earthly treasures are temporary and can be taken away. Instead, we are encouraged to focus on heavenly riches: serving God and giving love away freely. All our possessions (I tend to call it “stuff”) are only for now. One day we will have no use for them.

A few years ago, I read Jay Shetty’s book Think Like a Monk (2020). This is essentially a coffee table self-help book that explores how we want to lead our lives. Lives that are values-driven, grateful, and free of anger, blame and other negative emotions that bind us up. If we concentrate on joy, happiness, and delight in the success of others we will ultimately be more fulfilled. He encourages that well-known practice of gratitude; writing for five minutes or so every night about the things for which we are grateful.

One thing we used to do with our own children when they were teenagers was like this. Around the dinner table each evening, all members of the family had to say three things that they were grateful for that day. It was a daily ritual that reminded us all to actively look for the positive things, people, and events in our lives.

I’m glad I’m not that investment banker. I just don’t have the money, nor do I have the inclination to have to let everyone else know how much I have. I’d rather have others experience me, as I am, and in the moment. Judge my character not my stuff.

Dr Craig Wattam

College Principal