I'm Not Gordon Gekko

I just finished another lackluster, tedious round of slichot, but that's not tonights topic.
Last week I had a chat with my brother in law who was trying to convince me to get my NBA and go work on Wall St. In no way was this intriguing to me, but I humored my bro-in-law as he went on and on about how well one can do even if they're not the best broker, trader etc... He said that I should do it for a few years, make a couple of mill and move on. Like it's that easy. But that's not even the point.
I did not take one single business class in college, so going to business school might be a tad difficult. But that too is not the point.
I know jack about the market (unless it's movie related ala' my brilliant call on Marvel 3 years ago), and to be honest, I ain't that interested. But once again: not the point.
Are you ready for the point? OK, here it comes: Going into a job like that is sure to make miserable in life. To be frank I was a little shocked (as well as amused) that he would make such a suggestion. Does the man not know me at all? For those of you who know the fool, do you honestly think a job on Wall St. is fitting for the Fool?
I must say that I love my brother-in-law. I think he's a good man, is an excellent provider for my sister and their children, and we've had some good time together (movies, baseball games etc..). I'm also touched that he's always taken an interest in my life, and tried to give me sound advice. I didn't always agree with it, and other people would say the opposite of what he said as well, but nevertheless his heart was in the right place. But the fact is he came from a very different world than I did. He grew up in back Lawrence I grew up in Queens...and though I could probably say a lot more to differentiate myself from him, I think that saying that is enough, hilarious as it is. He has done very well for himself in business, and I hope he continues to have success. But I could be happy in life living on a mere percentage of what he earns. Yes I'm aware of how much rent, tuition, insurance cost. But I'm more than willing to cut back on personal pleasures (does that sound dirty or is it me?). Truth is I've always been quite good at cutting corners, saving dough and overall fulfilling my stereotype as a Jew.

Now I have nothing against people who work on Wall St., and I think it's fine that they make a healthy living for their families. I just couldn't work a job like that. Why? Well because of the above reasons and a few more I neglected to mention (that whole "not the point" thing would have got really tiresome if I did). I don't see how working in such a line of work could help me grow as a person, as a yid. I don't think I'd be contributing anything to society, nor will I be able people or making the world better in any way. My main focus would be $ $ $ $ $ $ $., and as much as I love Scrooge McDuck I just wouldn't be happy in such a life (stay tuned for a Duck Tales blog in the near future!).
Money isn't everything, and greed, for lack of a better word, is not Good. That's a statement negating a famous quote from this blogs title character. The movie was "Wallstreet" and Michael Douglas played Mr. Gekko (and won an Oscar for it). He exemplified the heartless, venomous anti-hero of the financial world (I use that term as there are many who look up to his character. See: "Boiler Room"- not only because I'm in it, but it happens to be a good flick..and even defends my arguments here). He might have been happy in a villainous way, but I did not see a tinge of true meaning of real fulfillment in his life (or as it was displayed by Oliver Stone.) The scary thing is that I think that if the dark side of my id took over I could be very Gekko-esque and do quite well in his field. I often find myself coming up with vindictive, fiendish schemes when the negative side of me takes over the ol' mind (And some of them are really excellent I must say). Of course I NEVER act on these plots, but the fact that I think them up is still a little scary to me. If I work in the world of finance I think that menacing, coldblooded, slimy scumbag that lies deep within me could surface, and then my neshama could be truly lost. I could very well let my job consume me. If I was not succeeding I might do whatever it took to get on top, no matter how immoral it might be. And if I was successful I fear I would lose sight of what's really important in life, and start taking things for granted, getting lost in a hedonistic life style.
Money can truly be the source of all evil, and though I hope I am secure in that area, it will not be the focus of my life.
I think I've already mentioned in the past how I let money help get in the way of my happiness. Worrying even obsessing over it, is damaging and actually unnecessary. Obviously we should be CONCERNED about our finances, but not to the extent that we make foolish decisions that cause us to do wrong, stupid, and foolish actions. Though we don't like to believe it our financial success is in the hands of G-d. A person can go to med school, become a successful Dr. and lose it all in one malpractice suit. Businesses can go bankrupt. Natural disasters can destroy stores and investments. And last but not least, the market can crash. The truth is though I'm still uncertain about a lot in my life right now I think I'm finally figuring out what I want to pursue right now for a living. I just hope I have the courage and faith to follow my heart, and ignore the nay-sayers.