Price Tags on Life

You know, I’ve been watching the way the world is moving, and it’s hard not to notice how everything seems to come with a price tag these days. It’s like the essence of life has shifted, and now, no matter what you’re after, you’ve got to pay for it in some way. Fortune, fame, even recognition—it’s all something you buy. The things that used to be about passion or talent are now just another transaction. Book awards, for example, aren’t always about who’s got the best words on the page; sometimes, it’s just about who can afford to submit.

I’m not saying this from a place of struggle or bitterness, because, honestly, money isn’t really a concern for me. But it’s hard to ignore how this shift is shaping the world around us. When success becomes something you purchase rather than something you earn, it changes the game. It’s no longer about who’s got the most drive or who’s the most talented; it’s about who’s got the deepest pockets. And that, in itself, is a little unsettling.

What I find troubling is how this affects the authenticity of what we create and how we connect. The more everything is commodified, the more we risk losing that genuine spark—that raw, unfiltered passion that used to drive people to create, to succeed, to make a difference. It’s as if the soul of our endeavors is being bought out, one dollar at a time, and what’s left behind is something less vibrant, less real.

I see this trend widening the gap between those who have and those who don’t. It’s creating a world where opportunity is tied to wealth, where true talent and potential might never see the light of day simply because they can’t afford to be in the right places. It’s not hard to see how this could lead to a society that’s increasingly divided, where the rich keep getting richer and everyone else is left trying to climb a ladder that keeps getting pulled out from under them.

And then there’s the emotional toll this takes on people. When you’re constantly surrounded by this idea that you’re not enough unless you can pay for success, it wears on you. Even if you’re not struggling financially, it’s still there—the pressure, the expectation that everything has a price. It can make life feel more like a race you’re running with a weight around your ankles, where only those who can afford to cut the weight get to win.

But what really concerns me is how this obsession with money is starting to overshadow the values that used to mean something—things like kindness, integrity, community. When everything is measured by its cost, we lose sight of the things that truly enrich our lives. The world becomes colder, more transactional, and the connections we make start to feel more like business deals than genuine relationships.

I’m just observing all this, wondering where it’s all headed. It’s hard not to feel a bit concerned about the kind of future we’re building. If we keep placing money at the center of everything, what kind of world are we creating? But maybe there’s still a chance to change course. If we can recognize what’s happening, maybe we can start to value what really matters again. Maybe we can find a way to build a world where success isn’t something you buy, but something you earn through passion, creativity, and true connection. That’s the kind of future I’d like to see—a future where money doesn’t define our worth, but where who we are and what we contribute does.