Rediscovering Value by Returning to the Source

Ever notice that the further something gets from its origin, the less we value it?

I see this all the time, in the simplest things—from how we spend money to how we experience the world around us. It’s like the value fades the more distant we are from what it really is at its core.

Let me explain what I mean.

Money: Cash vs. Credit Cards (and Beyond)

Think about money for a second. When you earn cash and physically have it in your hand, you feel its value. You worked hard for it, and now you’re holding the proof.

But when that paycheck gets automatically deposited into your account and then you swipe a credit card to pay for something, it feels different, right?

You don’t think twice. There’s a disconnect.

And gift cards? Don’t even get me started. It’s like the money is so far removed from its original form that it barely feels like money anymore.

Casinos know exactly what they’re doing to get you to spend more. They have you trade your cash for chips, which makes it easier to lose track of the money’s real value.