Trapp Lake (Image Credit: Contributed / Barry Selver)

By Karla Pearce

The Creative Edge

PEARCE: What is prosperity and how do we truly define it?

Nov 6, 2024 | 6:00 AM

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL FALL AFTERNOON, with sunlight filtering through a stained-glass window, casting a rainbow of colors on the art-covered walls at the Art We Are Cafe. With my little pot of coffee close by, I studied the tarot cards laid out on the black tablecloth in front of me. My client, seated across from me, leaned in with anticipation.

“I want to know if I’ll get my loan,” she said. “It’s not for me, but for my daughter.”

I nodded understandingly and drew the Six of Pentacles — a card that signals prosperity. While she was focused on financial stability, the card’s symbolism reminded me that prosperity goes beyond money. It’s a state of flourishing that touches many aspects of life: health, happiness, meaningful connections and personal growth. Yet often, our understanding of prosperity is wrapped up in wealth alone.

In the case of my client, her prosperity was genuine and the tarot said she had a bunch of it coming her way. I think this was because she wasn’t going to hoard it but she was sharing it with the next generation. Prosperity is like that. The more you share, the more you have.

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It is known that at the heart of prosperity is economic stability: the security of a stable income, resources and a foundation of wealth that can support one’s needs. Many people hyper focus on this aspect of prosperity — making it a priority in life. But too much focus on money can create an energetic and spiritual imbalance in life.

The confusion between wealth and happiness can have a negative impact if taken too far. When people try to buy happiness with material things, they often find that the pleasure derived from these items is short-lived. This effect is tied to hedonic adaptation, where the excitement of a new purchase quickly fades as individuals return to their baseline level of happiness.

The cultural drive to equate material possessions with happiness stems partly from pervasive marketing and media portrayals that associate consumerism with success and personal fulfillment. Advertising promotes the idea that owning specific brands or luxury items signals higher status and, implicitly, happiness. This narrative is reinforced by social media, where people curate images of their possessions, creating a loop of comparison that can mislead people into thinking happiness lies in acquiring more. Research published by the American Psychological Association suggests that this “materialism trap” can reduce overall well-being by fostering envy, self-comparison and a focus on superficial success rather than on internal growth and connection​.

This particular client had the intention of sharing her prosperity. This in itself is a form of prosperity and straight up good karma. By sharing wealth, we are connecting with each other. Within a family or in a community, when we reach out and help one another it facilitates growth on all sides. To share prosperity is a part of living a prosperous life.

When a person receives a gift of prosperity it will often lead to opportunities that can open doors to knowledge, skills and growth, empowering individuals to pursue their aspirations. This creates a generational cycle of sharing and helping one another so that we can all prosper in our communities.

The pursuit of happiness and the idea of prosperity does not necessarily mean money or financial wealth. Ultimately, while material purchases can provide brief enjoyment, they rarely meet the deeper emotional and psychological needs that contribute to sustained happiness. Understanding this distinction helps people prioritize experiences and relationships that offer richer, more lasting fulfillment.

Prosperity, in a spiritual sense, goes beyond financial wealth. It is a deep state of flourishing that includes mental and physical well-being, harmonious relationships, meaningful creativity and a sense of purpose and peace. The journey toward living a prosperous life involves recognizing the interconnectedness of all parts of your life and nurturing them in balance.

Pablo Picasso

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”

Picasso reminds us that true prosperity is not in holding onto gifts but in sharing them with the world. When we live from a place of generosity and creativity, we create a lasting impact beyond material wealth.

In this way, prosperity is not something you possess, but rather a state of being that reflects a life lived in harmony with your own values, body, mind, and community. Embracing each of these layers creates a life rich in connection, joy, and resilience, allowing you to live and thrive in true prosperity.

Karla Pearce is a full-time visual artist living in Kamloops.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.