Can money buy happiness?
January 18, 2010 by admin · 27 Comments
It’s an adage question and it doesn’t have a direct answer. I can tell you this – money CAN’T buy happiness but money does influence someone’s happiness, a lot too.
I know a lot of people who are not rich and they’re still happy. At the same time, I also know a lot of friends who are rich and are happy too.
And here’s the ultimate kicker – I definitely have more friends who are rich and happy than not rich and happy.
You don’t *really* need money to be happy but with money in your hand to spend wisely, you can surely attain happiness quicker and perhaps, easier too.
You see, the REAL secret to happiness is by making others happy and feel fulfilled in return. Why do you think there are people who do charity by donating their money? Self-fulfillment.
If you have a wonderful wife who is loving and caring, wouldn’t it be a happier relationship if you can shower her with more gifts that money can buy?
Or if you have a beautiful kid, wouldn’t it be great if you can take your child to places he/she likes to visit?
If you read this and you feel like I’m a jerk to say money brings happiness or you’re about to disagree, stop reading because I’m not here to point out who’s right or wrong. But I think I can say this - if someone feels uncomfortable with what he reads here, then he’s just avoiding reality and reality always bites. Who likes to be ‘bite’? I rest my case.
What most people are unaware is at the subconscious level, they are letting this believe to sip into their mind and it became the excuse for them not to be wealthy.
To be wealthy, there’s a lot of work. And I’m not saying this because it’s my believe system or something – no. Go ahead and ask any millionaires how they became millionaires and I’m pretty confident that they’ll tell you that they’ve gone through certain levels of challenges.
Imagine this - if you embed the thought that money is not important for your happiness, do you think you’ll still work hard to be rich? Not anymore.
And these are the people who would say these sentences to you…
“Why work so hard?”
“Money is the root of all evil.”
“You’ll attract problems with your money.”
“You won’t have true friends if you’re rich.”
I’ve interviewed many millionaires and some of the most successful people in the world for my Success Trace Membership – Mark Victor Hansen, Bill Bartmann, Jerry Clark, Robert Allen, Christopher Guerriero, Ted Nicholas and many more… and guess what? They seem to have a lot of true friends and have strong feeling of happiness within them.
So after this explanation about money and it’s relation to happiness, I’ll tell you this - money will help you gain happiness when you’re attracting and using it correctly.
Ask any rich people - are they happier today or when they’re broke? Some will say when they don’t have money and this will be the small group of people who attract and use money wrongly, that’s all.
As a matter of fact, the topic of money is such a sensitive topic, that there are people who avoid discussing about it - embarrass to be misunderstood of being ‘chasing money’ and rejected from the society. If you’re not excited about getting rich, how would you attract it in the first place?
At the same time, I was asked an interesting question from an attendee when I was doing a workshop, MSIInAFlash.com, with Robert Allen, someone who I highly admire and respect, a real guru about creating wealth…
“You’re already so rich and successful. If I were you, I would have taught people for free.”
I honestly think he’s not rich yet and don’t really understand the mechanism or money and wealth yet, not in any negative intention.
I wanted to ask him this question in return…
“Why do you think doctors charge fee for their consultation? Or why do think lecturers, fitness trainers, fashion designers and professors should be paid then?”
The doctors, lecturers, fashion designers, fitness trainers and professors should be paid because they’ve risk their own time and money to be able to help other people. They’re ALREADY doing a favor to charge you and me for imparting their knowledge, experience and wisdom.
Imagine if they have the same thought like the worksho attendee, that they should be taught for free as well - that they should not spend tens of thousands or years to learn their trade. Imagine how this world would actually perform today. Weird, right? 
If you want to be rich, focus on being rich. Stop questioning what you don’t like because it’ll not change anything if it’s not within your control.
The way how you view the World will ultimately be your world.
So do you want happiness or money?
My answer: both because you’re living in a world of abundance where you can ‘and’, not ‘or’.
If you like what you’ve read for “Can money buy happiness?”, I look forward to hear from you. Just leave your feedback or message in the Comments below and I’ll personally read it.
To your success,
Patric Chan
Founder, SuccessTrace.com
For Publishers and Bloggers: If you have a blog or newsletter, you have the rights to republish this article as long as nothing is being edited and publish as it is. And if you want, you also have the right to change SuccessTrace.com links to your own affiliate link that you can get from www.successtrace.com/affiliate.html
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2010 And Forward – What to Expect
December 27, 2009 by admin · 33 Comments
I want you to know that there’s no better time than to get excited about your life and goals - not because it’s going to turn 2010, it’s simply because today is always the best time.
There are 5 areas of life that I would seek to improve - health, relationship, spirituality, financial wealth and personal growth. None of them are at a higher priority than the others as they’re all holistically balanced to create the right combination of success in life.
It’s a fact that if you don’t have financial wealth, your life could be slightly “inconvenient”. If you gonna give me the lecture that the monks and priests live happily ever after without seeking wealth, then I’m not going to argue with you. But look - you’re no monk or priest so be real, nothing to be embarrassed of.
Money is never evil. It’s a big wrong myth that rich people are arrogant, greedy or selfish and as a matter of fact, most of them are the opposite. So I would suggest you to make it a goal in 2010 to get to know some millionaires and rich people to learn what their secrets to wealth are. Who knows - they might even pass you some opportunities you can work together with them.
If you think you’re poor today, it’s because you ‘choose’ to become this way by your acts and thoughts. Same thing - if you’re rich, it’s because the way how you act upon opportunities and think of positive outcomes.
Would you believe me that I’ve received emails asking me to give them money because they believe in Law of Attraction and want the Universe to give them money from the sky? No wonder they’re broke and poor because they don’t take responsibility to for their own future. People just don’t understand how Law of Attraction actually works.
Look - you have to work for your own success. If you’re smart, you buy some courses or attend seminars to uncover the shortcuts or just take the long road by testing out on your own. Your choice. Both ways are fine and both still require work.
In 2010, I’ll be focusing more on the concept of multiple income streams (MSI). Now, MSI does not means that you got to have different kinds of income streams - it simply means you have more income streams. For instance, I will create income streams from offline publication books, seminars with other speakers and so on. So focus on what you already have or doing very well, then ‘branch’ out from there.
The other 2 important areas that are usually missed out when someone pursue the goal of attaining financial wealth is relationship and health. My friend, time flies very fast. Within a blink of an eye, you’ll see your children already grown up or your folks getting old. So cherish what you have now because by end of the day, your success is actually measured by the relationship that you have - not the money in your bank account. I’ve experience this from the sad and happy angle, when my Grandma passed away and also, seeing my baby girl growing right now in 2009.
Health? Put it this way, you can’t enjoy spending your money earned if you don’t have the body and mind to enjoy it. But I can tell you this - don’t be a health freak and miss out the joy of life. I mean, don’t eat cheese burger every day but hey, don’t torture yourself of not eating that because you’re worried that you’re going to get heart attack or something. Life is short, enjoy your food but just don’t overdo it. Dude, I’m not asking you to take drugs, it’s a cheese burger for Pete’s sake.
One more thing about health - if you can afford it, do take supplements especially those green stuff supplements. Our food and environment are getting worse so you need whatever ‘effortless’ thing to give you the edge to stay focus, energetic and vibrant when you’re on track to success.
Spirituality comes from within. Whether it’s your connection to God, your inner voice, Law of Attraction and so on, it gives you the serenity and harmony in your mind and soul. You need that. You’ve seen and heard of stories people ‘let go’ of everything and pursue a greater goal because they have aligned with their spirituality part and ultimately, it leads to happiness. My point? Spirituality leads to happiness.
Funny thing is, our ultimate goal is suppose to be happy but you don’t hear people attending seminars on how to be happy because they thought money makes them happy and so on. The truth… happiness is obtain when you’re grateful with what you have and understands that you have a beautiful life - regardless of who you are.
And lastly, I’ll be seeking for more personal growth in 2010. Personal growth is about enriching your experience and expanding your knowledge. You see, the only thing that does not change is Change itself. So if you want to transform yourself into a better person in any positive angle, then I highly suggest you to uncover many more secrets to personal growth that you are still unaware of.
Whether you attend seminars regularly, listen to audios or join Success Trace Private Membership, it’s your responsibility to continue ‘upgrading’ yourself. No one’s going to motivate you or give you the cutting edge strategies for success - you got to seek that out for yourself because, again, it’s your life.
One more thing - stop telling people about your sad story or TELLING YOURSELF, get over that and start thinking how you can reach your goals (but please, not by asking the Universe to give you money). You might think it’s easy for me to say this today because I’m “Patric Chan” or any of those craps… think again, bucko. I used to be in your shoes too and so do Anthony Robbins, Robert Kiyosaki, Mark Victor Hansen, Robert Allen, Jack Canfield and all of those gurus you admire. So in all fairness, I think if you start taking full responsibility for your life and create the eagerness to be far more supreme than where you are right now, you “Chan” do it. I believe.
If you like what you’ve read, I look forward to hear from you. Just leave your feedback or message in the Comments below and I’ll personally read it.
To your success in 2010,
Patric Chan
Founder, SuccessTrace.com
For Publishers and Bloggers: If you have a blog or newsletter, you have the rights to republish this article as long as nothing is being edited and publish as it is.
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Grandma Passed Away Peacefully
October 19, 2009 by admin · 109 Comments
My beloved Grandma passed away peacefully this morning at 5.00 AM. She was healthy as usual yesterday and she got unconscious at about 2.00 AM and a few hours later, she has gone “asleep”.
Click to play the music:
(This is the music that I play when I’m writing this, if you play it, you’ll know my feeling when I’m writing)
Letter to Grandma…
“Hi Grandma,
By the time I wrote this, you’re already on your journey to Heaven. As silly as it sounds, I want to tell you not to be anxious if no one’s holding your hand because when you reach Heaven, you’ll be ready. I know you’re used to having someone holding your warm hand.
I always remember how happy you are waiting at the porch for me to pick you up to go out for a walk, lunch or catch a movie. You’ll always bring a sweater along, just in case if you get cold and don’t want that to spoil your outing.
And you’ll wear the black color Croc sandal I bought for you last year. Although it’s tight recently, you still want to wear it because of how much you love it.
I always remember how happy you are when you’re eating your favorite food - that, you like to taste all kinds of food and share it with us. You never eat alone, you always ask me to eat with you.
I always remember how much you like taking pictures - and then if you don’t look good in it, you’ll “complain”. :-) And you always like to wear bright colors.
I always remember when I drop you back home after a fun day, you’ll say, ‘thank you’ many times to my wife and me because you really appreciate the time we’re together. And you’ll ask softly, “When will I see you again?” and looking forward for another outing even if it’s a month later. God, I miss that moment.
I can remember how happy you are when you hold Marin, my baby girl, in your hand. Your face glitters with happiness, she likes smiling to you too.
I can remember that once in a while, you’ll call me on my cell phone when you miss me too much- that you keep my phone number in your notepad, somewhere stuff in your messy drawer. I wish you’ve called me again last week.
I also know how much you love my wife and baby and they love you too. Sometimes, you forget my wife’s name but you’ll always ask me how is she doing.
Grandma,
Today you look so beautiful and peaceful. I spoke to you, I know you can’t say anything back because you’re looking at me from above smiling - I told you that I will always love you as your grandchild and how much you mean to me. When I touch your hand today in your final bed, it’s cold but I know God has a better place for you now.
Today, I sit on the chair at the porch - the same chair that you always wait for me to come pick you up. When I look out to the road, I know the exact feeling of cheerfulness that you have at that moment of time.
Grandma, I want you to know that I’m not sad that you have to go – I guess I’m just missing the moments with you and talking with you like how we use to chat and laugh, especially since I haven’t seen you for a month now, until today. Today, our ‘outing’ was… a little bit different.
On another side, I’m blessed with my own family right now - Emily, my wife and Marin, my baby girl. Also, Mum and Dad are still here, I’m grateful for that.
Grandma, if you happen to see me crying once in a while from above, please don’t worry :-) - they’re all happy tears because you’re always close to my heart and live in my memory. Any grandson or anyone who miss their love ones in heaven would understand.”
Love,
Your grandson
________________________________________________________
March 17, 2009
Re: I Cried When She Doesn’t Recognize Me Anymore
LATEST UPDATE: Good news! Doctor said that it’s a mild stroke, not Alzheimer that affects her brain – it can be healed if Grandma’s strong. THANK YOU for being part of this ‘healing’. I believe, this might not happen if it wasn’t with your kind prayers.
(There were many grammar mistakes in the sharing below because I wrote this in a hurry last night. I was thinking to edit it today but I’ve decided to leave them as it is to remain who I am.)
It’s just so hard to start writing this because I don’t know where to begin.
I will write as what I heart wants to share, as what I experienced today.
The day, Tuesday 17 March 2009 starts as usual – until my Auntie called me on the phone, telling me that I have to see Grandma quick, something’s very wrong.
You see, if this is the first time you’re reading my blog, you might not get the whole story of my grandma – she’s the women that I love very much, the women who is strong at heart and the women who gave me the unconditional love that I could ever dream of.
I wrote about her 5 years ago – the story of what is meaningful in our life. If you like to read that, click here. Once read, you will understand how I feel today.
I was prepared to accept anything but in truth, I wasn’t prepared for anything.
Uncles, aunties and cousins were all there – at Grandma’s house.
That’s Grandma when she’s 80, 5 years ago – today she’s 85.
I went to see Grandma, smile at her as usual and talk to her but she replied, ‘I couldn’t sleep’.
I thought it was still normal because she always says that to me so that I’ll show my care but then she said, ‘Who are you?’, I don’t know what to think. She is the same Grandma who took me to shopping malls to buy toys when she has no money, bring me to McDonald’s to spoil me when I was a kid, love me unconditionally and the same women that I love with all my heart – couldn’t remember me anymore. Couldn’t even call my name.
At that time, I know I ‘lost’ her.
I look into her eyes, touch her cheek gently and ask her again – “Do you know me?” I can tell she’s trying very hard but she can’t answer me.
I started crying. Tears were coming down but I try to be strong. Grandma didn’t even know why I’m crying but she wipes the tears off my cheek with her hanky and still giving me the same caring Grandma smile – the same one that I always look forward to see when I meet her.
I hold her hand and try to talk to her again – “Grandma, remember last week when you visited me at my house, you told me your birthday is coming next week? That you were all excited about the celebration, that I’ll buy you a gift?”
She was wearing my gift for her birthday last year, the bracelet she wears everyday with happiness and pride – a bracelet that is carved with the design of leaf. I remembered that was the best gift she’s ever gotten from me, she’ll always tell me how much she loves the bracelet and tell all our relatives about it, bragging about it – how much I love her.
Now, she can’t even remember her birthday’s next week.
She says things that are not real like, “I cannot see” when her eyes is still open and seeing things.
She doesn’t remember where the bracelet comes from – she keeps on asking innocently me, “Do you know who put this bracelet on my hand?”
She was all fine a few days ago but I think I’ve lose her to Alzheimer. But I won’t quit even I cannot win – I’ll still be by my Grandma’s side until God thinks it’s time. She’s now in her own world, a happy nor sad world – a world that doesn’t represents anything but time will keeps on going by. I know she likes to eat a lot of stuff, I’ll still take her if she wants, although she couldn’t appreciate it anymore, or even enjoy eating. She is my loving, only Grandma.
This is the latest picture that I have with Grandma in January 2009 when she’s 85.
Yes, her eyes and mouth are slightly disoriented because she was hit with another “illless” last year but her spirit for living in this world is bigger – she strived and was back in the game of life. But this time, I guess, luck wasn’t on our side.
Grandma enjoys taking pictures – she always asks us to take her pictures everytime we can. Now I know why, she enjoys seeing them and keeping the wonderful memory she experienced, the joy and happiness. But now, I don’t think she remembers anything but I’m sure I’ll find a stack of photos she kept in her room one day.
You see, in life, we cannot prevent unwanted things to happen. You sure can do everything but there’s no guarantee it won’t happen. There are people who never smoke in their life before but still get cancer. There are people who exercise, live a healthy diet and yet died of heart attack. There are people like my Grandma – who we showered all of the love we can, give her the best nutrition we can afford, live a healthy diet and pamper her with the things she wants – and yet, ugly shit still creeps into her life.
But what you can do is cherish what you have, TODAY.
Do you cherish every moment in your life and your love ones, starting from the time you wake up in the morning?
Do you do give the best you can, EVERY DAY so that you can look back say, “I’ve done all I can”.
And finally, did you touch someone’s life today so that you won’t regret anything missing?
From today’s onwards, I make a vow that I’ll make AT LEAST a person happy so that I will look back and say, ‘I have contribute to create happiness today and someone is smiling’.
Last but not least – do you say prayers? If you don’t, that’s okay but if you do – I have a big favor to ask from you and I hope you’ll do this for me because you once have a Grandma too. Would you please say your prayer tonight before you go to sleep, that you’ll wish Grandma will be okay soon? That’s all I ask for.
- Patric
*A grandson who misses his Grandma very much*
This entire sharing is 100% true experience – exactly what happened to me today. It’s written so that I get the chance to tell the world how much she means to it. It is also, as a reminder to everyone who reads it that, life is short. Make full use of it especially making yourself and your love ones happy – be it your Mum, Dad, son, daughter, wife, husband, Grandpa, Grandma and so on. Don’t forget that age pass by very fast so don’t make the mistake of chasing wealth but end up spending it alone. Feel free to share what you read with anyone who you think would appreciate what you read today. – www.whenwealthmeansnothing.com
You got friends?
September 23, 2009 by admin · 3 Comments
Friends can influence you to success… and also have the power to pull you to failure. Scary right?
They cannot be avoided in life because they play a huge role in your life to avoid isolation.
I’ve prepared a new report called, “Friends For Success” which reveals the steps how to identify the friends that you want to keep by your side.
Keep the wrong one and your life’s going to be disaster – don’t let that happen to you.
Download my report for free by clicking here
Your friend,
Patric Chan
www.patricchan.name
The Death Of Michael Jackson
June 25, 2009 by admin · 38 Comments
I was planning to go London to watch Michael Jackson perform soon – since I was a kid, it’s always my dream to see him live but I could never afford it.
Unfortunately, Michael has now left us all forever, however, his music will continue to live.
(Michael Jackson – In his early days…)
Regardless of whether you like Michael or not as a person, we cannot deny that he has touched millions of people all around the world.
If you think an actor has done a good job entertaining people, then Michael would be #1.
And whether you know or not, Michael’s movement like “Heal The World” concept has created awareness of saving our planet and humanity– because he has so many fans, they’re willing to hear Michael’s message. Lastly, I believe Michael has helped to raise fund for many non-profit and charity organizations all around the world.
Now, not everyone likes Michael Jackson and that’s understandable.
Today, when Michael left us – many of us suddenly remembered him. And I believe (I could be wrong), even those who ridicule him will stop.
His music will be ‘alive’ again.
BUT WHY WAIT TILL SOMEONE DIES TO BE APPRECIATED?
If you want to treat someone well, treat him/her now.
If you want to stop ridiculing someone, stop it now.
If you want to stop being angry with someone, stop it now.
If you want to appreciate something, appreciate it now before it’s gone.
If you want to make someone happy, do it now.
Heck, if you want to make yourself happy, DO IT NOW.
Even if nobody dies, time passes so fast and within a blink of an eye, everything changes. I know, it’s scary so don’t take things for granted. I’m not just telling you, I’m telling myself because I’ve been taking things for granted too.
Michael Jackson, rest in peace. You have my respect for your talent, contributions and your heart to ‘heal the world’.
Patric Chan
Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you, “Heal The World”…
Michael Jackson Heal The World Clinton Gala 1992:
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FREE DVD!
