Once when I was probably 8 or 9, I playfully asked my grandfather:
How much money do you have?
Enough for my needs, he said.
Me: Don't you want more?
He: Yes, I do.
Me: How much more?
He: Only as much as I can handle.
***
Back then, I didn't fully understand why he said so and what it really meant.
Was reminded of this conversation yesterday when I read a news article about a much celebrated Ed tech founder who started with an admirable intention but lost his way, blinded by a sudden rush of funding and a perpetual chase of growth.
There are many more such examples.
***
The thing with money, luck and fame is that you need the capacity and ability to handle them. This ability develops only over time - with hard work, struggle, failures, reflection, and learning.
Accelerating or bypassing the process - whether by choice or luck - often turns out to be dangerous.
That is why you can't lift a poor country out of poverty just by pumping loads of money in its economy.
That is why over 2/3rd of lottery winners squander away all their winnings within a few years.
***
There is beauty in letting good things compound over time.
A sudden downpour - even for things that you most desire - may do more harm than good.
#lifelessons #money #luck #fame