kay, I’m going to talk about money and see where this goes…
So money has been on my mind a lot lately, something held in common by many people. Money reigns over most people’s lives and what is it really? It’s broad, it runs deep, it can buy so much and people trade so much for it. To some people it’s freedom, to some people it’s power, to others happiness. To some, money is the source of all their problems, a thorn in their mind, a whirlpool of greed, the root of evil. Everyone has a relationship to money, it is necessary to function in the world. I think that the person’s relationship to money determines what money is to them and how it affects them.
I consider myself incredibly fortunate and blessed. I have wanted for things but I have very rarely needed for things and come up short. I’ve never been forced into hunger or homelessness. I’ve never been sick or hurt and not been able to get help. I’ve never been stranded with no way home. My life isn’t always easy but I know enough to realize that it is easier than most. I was born in a place with opportunity, to family that loves and supports me. I am sound of body and mind and capable. I can’t really ask for more right? Well I do. I can’t help wanting more excitement, more fulfillment, more opportunities. I want to keep improving myself and my situation and I want to do the best, to go the farthest I can go with the hand that I’ve been dealt. I want to have money.
I want to have money so that I can be generous. I want to have money for the experiences it can buy. I want to have money to support a family, and I want to earn that money honestly, doing something that fits me and benefits others. I’m farming and I’m not making much money right now… probably not a big surprise. But its okay with me. I’m still covering my needs and I get some important wants too. I have the ability to create and to see the fruits of my labor, to spend lots of time outside and very little time inside in front of a screen, to learn and be creative in my work and to give value in return for money. To trade fairly my energy for my money makes me happy and full… money doesn’t fill the void of the spirit surrendered to gain it. I guess that I’m romanticizing, but this is the way I think about things.
If I were to put my personal philosophy on money into words… I want to treat money equal to its value both in what I did to get it and what it can buy me. I want to strive to earn money in a way that is healthy and fulfilling to me and creates good for that outside me (which is still really me). I want to earn the most that I am able while following the previous conditions. I want to create positive effects when I spend money. I want to remain frugal and be generous with my excesses.
I haven’t written all that down before but as I read it I think it covers pretty well how I feel about money. I’m currently marketing our beef, advertising myself locally as a handyman doing odd jobs, planning a garden for farmer’s market, rounding up supplies for maple syrup season (which is quickly approaching), and looking for other part time work. A little here and a little there and it isn’t constant or secure but like I said, I’m not needing for anything. I can’t complain even though a part of me isn’t satisfied. I won’t complain because I have free will and the power to use it. Its a fine line, striving hard while remaining calm and accepting of the outcome. I think that the eightfold path of Buddha is helpful to keep in mind.
The right view leads to right thought, leads to right speech, leads to right action, leads to right livelihood, leads to the right effort, leads to right mindfulness, leads to right being.
No quote today other than that…
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