27th November 2018
We define ourselves as “human beings” not “human doings”. This implies that our “beingness” is very important to us.
The 17th century philosopher, Descartes, gave us the maxim “Cognito, ergo sum” which means “I think therefore I am”.
Thus, these two observations can be merged together by observing that what makes us unique is the degree to which we can think about our beingness. How we think about and pursue our happiness and peacefulness shapes us and drives us.
And at the core of this beingness is the degree to which we feel connected to others in a positive and meaningful way.
In business, especially the property business, it is easy for our connections and relationships to centre around property and money. This is especially true due to the transactional nature of the business.
We can lose our sense of relationships to others. We can isolate ourselves without even realising it.
As property people it is important to know how our material wealth will bring us happiness. My experience is that being without material means brings unhappiness. But beyond a fairly low point of material wealth, there is no correlation between wealth and happiness.
It is our connectedness and the quality of our relationships which greatly determines our happiness. What this has in common with property is that to derive such happiness we must “invest” in our relationships.
But the currency of such investment are such things as time, love, kindness and selflessness.
Abraham Goldberg
