Online Reporter
fredrick qaphelani mabikwa
THE tale is told of an American billionaire, an inventor and investor, famed for co-founding Apple, NeXT, and leading Pixar, who succumbed to pancreatic cancer at the age of 56.
From his deathbed, he confessed that despite reaching the pinnacle of business success, his life was devoid of true joy.
To those around him, he was the epitome of achievement, yet he revealed that the wealth he had amassed, the recognition he had cherished, had become utterly meaningless in the face of death. He realised that while he had employed many, he could not employ anyone to share his suffering. This stark realisation drove home the truth — material possessions, once lost, can be replaced, but life itself is irreplaceable.
There comes a moment for everyone, the final curtain call, the inevitable end we call death. It is a scientific certainty, our bodies not designed for immortality. The billionaire’s words impart a profound lesson: the intrinsic values that define our humanity, that bring us genuine happiness, are not material and are beyond price. We must treasure the love of family, partners, and friends, investing in healthy relationships, the true source of joy.
An expensive car cannot offer comfort or affection. Both luxury and modest vehicles traverse the same roads, reaching the same destinations. A gold watch and a plastic watch tell the same time; money buys the watch, not the time itself. The effects of premium whisky and ordinary beer are identical, as is the subsequent hangover. Whether in a mansion or a humble dwelling, loneliness remains, while genuine happiness brings restful sleep, regardless of the bed.
Money buys the waterbed, not the sleep. True peace and happiness cannot be budgeted; they stem from healthy human connections. First-class or economy, we all face the same fate in a plane crash, and we all step onto the same earth upon landing. These truths remind us that inner happiness is detached from material wealth. We miss and embrace people, not possessions. Do we truly miss our expensive cars when away from home? Material things lack the humanity that rejuvenates us.
There’s a distinction between being a human being and being truly human.
Real happiness lies in contentment and quality time with loved ones, regardless of wealth. We should focus on our blessings, not our lacks.
Money provides convenience, not happiness. A large house offers space, but a child sleeping alone is not necessarily happier than those sharing a room. Money affords flexibility, but it does not touch the core of human joy and fulfilment. The world is filled with wealthy but unhappy people.
As Bob Marley said, “Some people are so poor, all they have is money.” We have prioritised wealth over meaningful relationships. Our children are often raised by nannies, our families disconnected despite sharing a home. This explains the surprise when wealthy couples divorce; we see a happy façade, but inside, there’s a void.
Superstitions and sacrifices are made in the pursuit of wealth, particularly in Africa. Sacrificing loved ones or children for riches is a hollow victory. These bizarre practices often lead to painful and restricted lives. We realise too late that happiness isn’t bought with money, that we have sacrificed our joy, our families, and our dignity.
The billionaire’s final words were, “Do not educate your children to be rich, but educate them to be happy, so that when they grow up, they know the value of things, not the price.” True happiness comes from healthy relationships with loved ones. We must strive to invest in these connections, for they are the source of genuine joy.
