Bear this in mind, "We are not enriched by what we possess, but we are enriched by what we can live without." This challenges our worldly definition of wealth or an enriched life. What is riches? Should the dying man with the most "toys"win? Are big cars, large mansions, and fat bank account the goals of life? Note this: Wealth is a means to an end, not the end itself. If the order is reverse, the anxiety has no end. It is often the case that the pursuit of happiness is the leading cause of unhappiness. This is because this pursuit is often a misguided pursuit of material possession.
People who have the least, love the most.
But having said this, this is the dilemma: poverty is no walk in the park! The uninspired, rudderless poor are miserable. And they are miserable all their life. They dream of riches, idolize it and will sacrifice anything for it. Poverty brings about a whole gamut of vices and discontentment.
Even the middle income are not spared. They may have a roof over their head, steady income and food on the table. But most of them are living lives of quiet desperation. Searching for that big break, tormented by work stress, and condemned to mediocrity. What's eating them up is the successes of their peers. Envy rots their souls. Their mind rebels against the status quo.
As one writer puts it, "the desire for success lubricates secret prostitution in the soul." How is the rich, poor and the middle income to find ultimate peace? How can they free themselves from the tyranny of envy and ambition and the curse of poverty? The struggle is never-ending. We deceive ourselves if we think that enough is enough.
Contentment in this world is a mirage to those whose eyes are earth bound and lusts are insatiable. Here's my ballast of hope: Embrace your Now. Keep hope afloat. Devote to meaning. Never lose your sense of wonder. Be curious and develop an appetite for learning. Be truly happy for the successes of others. Don't over-think or over-react.
Life is beautiful still...it's in the eyes of your children, play with them, learn from them, teach them the right way, enjoy their company, do silly things with them...don't take life and disappointments too seriously, and don't take worry so literally. Get to know your spouse in new and inspiring ways. He or she is not Stones...they do respond to earnest probe and mutual discovery. Share with your Soulmate your hopes and dreams, your disappointments and frustrations. Seek Solace in your Spouse's arms and encourage each other with love and patience.
Note that happiness makes up for depth what it lacks in length. So, remember those happy moments in your past, for they shall be like soft cushions in your old age. Lastly, work can be fun. You don't need to change job; you just need to see it in a new perspective.
Remember, why look forward to the weekends and stay miserable during the weekdays. Odds are, you trade in 5 miserable weekdays for two quick weekends. Not a fair trade. Change your mindset and treat every weekday's night as if it is a weekend. Imagine that Monday night is a Friday night and Tuesday night is a Saturday night. Plan how you are going to enjoy with your loves ones on Monday or Tuesday night.
Isn't it just as exciting as the weekends if you change your perspective and see things differently? Sometimes, it is not having more but enjoying what you have that brings the ultimate joy in life.
Remember that you can live without many things without feeling miserable because life's not an endless striving to outdo others with bigger "toys". It is a steady and progressive building and enjoying of relationships that makes it all worthwhile.
Take that to the bank!
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