Money!
I am in a phase where I love to talk about money so I figured I'd spend the next 10 minutes writing about some thoughts I have around the subject?
What do I think money is? It's a tool, no more, no less. At this moment in history the majority of us in these United States have access to more of it than we ever did. I think it's made us all crazy. Why is this?
If you are to build a house you need a hammer. You also need money. What is the difference? Why do we place so much of our self worth on how much money we have? I've never placed my self worth on what kind or how many hammers I have?
A hammer can be used to build, it can be used to destroy. Money can be used to build, it can be used to destroy.
I don't think there is a human who hasn't struggled with money. Is that CEO we love to hate any happier when he buys his 8th Maybach? Really? I don't think so. I've rolled with some rich folks before, I won't generalize but some of those folks are happy, some are miserable. Some of the poorest folks I know are rich and some of the richest are poor.
My life started getting much better last summer when I decided 2 things: Money has nothing to do with my self worth and secondly, there is no point to me making any money unles I am to enjoy this life thoroughly. Before making these choices I struggled struggled struggled. I was in the hole financially and lived hand to mouth since I was 18. Since I decided these 2 things I always have enough, more than enough actually and am planning my first proper vacation in many years. It's not rocket science, it's not majic, it's simply a change of attitude.
I've always been a hard worker, have earned well and helped many folks achieve their dreams in life doing so. When I worked my hardest my rent was a staggering $200 a month in a raggedy blue house in Portland Oregon. I became resentful of those around me who worked less hard and could take a nice vacation. I was earning more than ever and struggled to make the rent. Now I live in NYC, amd earning less than I have in years, am paying more for less space than I ever have and somehow I'm building an awesome life. My needs are being met and I have a decent savings and investment account going. My life is enjoyable and fullfilling. I've learned to use money as I would a hammer or screwdriver, it's just a tool. Nothing more, nothing less. I'm watching my life grow and expand and realizing I need to share my story on whatever scale possible cause it this is possible for a fellow like me, it is possible for anyone. I used to love to wallow in my own despair then one day I realized that was a concious choice, that I could choose joy so why would I choose the former?
No, I'm not rich financially, but my spirit is richer than ever. This I am grateful for.
The universe or whatever you wish to call the force that keeps us alive wants us to be happy. Does a tree ever question that? No. It grows and just does its service providing food, oxygen, shelter, beauty. Life need not be more complicated than that.
JB
