The Walk of Life

Can wealth change you? That I would say is a Million Dollar question. Really, do you think coming into wealth changes a person? For those who are not wealthy, including me will say no way. Imagine you strike first prize in a lottery that pays $20 million. What would be the first thing that you'll do with the windfall? I guess many will say give some to charity then followed by houses, cars, holidays and perhaps then some goodies that you desired, lusted etc.

Personally I believe that money or wealth do change you, subtly, progressively and surely either for the better or in many cases for the worst. I have seen this happening in my own circle of friends, colleagues and especially business people. One thing for certain is their life-styles change dramatically. Those that were at the same social ladder with them before the windfall begin to feel alienated. You find that their conversations often turned to jeweleries they have bought, exotic places, restaurants, hotels and the attractions of Egypt so to say. Slowly the friends feel out of place in their lavish parties and gatherings for you have nothing much to contribute in those areas except just to listen and grin out of politeness and sipping their sweet wines. Your old tennis partners now plays golf and have good reasons why they change their old favorite game as well. You begin to hear the names of the famous, the rich being mentioned intimately and suddenly you are priviledged to hear the inside story of politicians, local celebrities juicy stories.

To be fair to them, they may still be the same old buddy of yours. For some of you, maybe it is good for now through them you can network with those who can help you advance in your career, business opportunities and what you imagine you can tap into. Then you also notice the pride factor comes in because now your old buddy becomes easily offended. Don't you noticed that the rich and famous exhibit this trait of being easily offended and taking libel suits seems to be the in-thing whereas once upon a time they swallowed the insults quietly. Perhaps with money they can afford to do that and take the offender to the cleaners for the amount they sued for is something the offender can never earn in his life time.

Finally, it looks like more the case of you slowly withdrawing from his circle of elites rather than he withdraws from you. To some, they may consider you having low esteem, sensitive, envious and foolish for not using such golden opportunities to cut for yourself a pie in the sky but honestly if it comes to that, I begin to wonder whether his wealth also slowly start a change in you too! Ah! what are friends for anyway or is it the one who withdraws are the prideful ones?