The Sunk Cost Fallacy is better known to must of us as the phrase “throwing good money after bad.” It can be as simple as investing in a stock or lottery tickets, thinking the stock will go back up, and if I buy now, I’ll make more money, the next lottery ticket will be a winner. This does not hold strictly to finances though. We all do it in one shape or form.

How many of us have ignored red flags in a partner or friend, “knowing” they will turn around and realize their mistakes? How many times have we stuck with a business to fix something, only for the problem to get worse? Even businesses do the same thing with customers. A business will deal with problematic customers thinking after this issue, things will calm down.

Good outcomes rarely present themselves when we sink more of ourselves into something that is toxic. If something good comes from it, it is basically a miracle. If you’re in the middle of Africa standing in front of a hungry lion, you will be eaten. If the lion moves on, it’s a miracle, not a standard outcome. We have a funny way of rationalizing and tricking ourselves into thinking a positive outcome is more likely than the negative one. We hold onto that hope of a miracle.

Chasing miracles will only lead to our suffering. No amount of hoping will bend reality to our favor. There have been documented occasions where prayer has performed miracles, but let’s face it, none of us are pious enough to pray our way out of the Sunk Cost Fallacy. If we are that pious, we’re not wasting our resources and energy towards a meaningless goal. Even if that goal holds weight with you, it does not mean it holds weight with the universe.

Health above wealth means very little to most people when they are young. It only starts to mean something as a person ages. Most people realize to late how important that mind set is. People only realize it when they have a health scare or are at the end of their lives. It doesn’t mean be poor and happy. It literally means that if you have your basics covered, and you are healthy be grateful. Do not let the pursuit of wealth destroy your health. It is easy to want the new fancy car or the next “must-have” tech toy, but if the cost leads to a shorter, less-meaningful life, it just isn’t worth it. People who are less selfish, and content with what they have, tend to be happier than those grinding themselves to their bones trying to pursue happiness in meaningless objects.