How many people are appreciative of the extraordinary times we live in? Or are you like most people who fail to understand how “wealthy” we really are? A step back or a look inward reveals more than you know.
Are You Properly Enjoying Your Wealth?
I know what you’re thinking.
“I’m not wealthy. This blog post isn’t for me.”
Actually, it is. Historically speaking, you are one of the wealthiest individuals who has ever lived.
It takes relatively little effort to provide for your own really essential needs: food, water, shelter, clothing. Setting aside people who feel the need to give their kids or spouses lots of unnecessary doodads, vacations, etc, the “bare necessities of life” have never been cheaper, particularly if you live in the West. A small amount of labor can keep us alive – anything over that is just bonus.
But how many of us really appreciate or enjoy the freedom that comes with that wealth?
Commutes, 9 to 5 commitments, and inflexible job-centric living suck away most of our days. We spend the best parts – the sunny parts – inside. We plan to be tied down. We force ourselves to tolerate things and people we don’t enjoy. We worry about the opinions of those people. And we never quite experience the full fruits of the freedom we have.
I’ve been seeing some of that freedom as I’ve experienced voluntary unemployment. I feel rich – particularly in time. If I want to go browse an outdoors store or stock up on books from Goodwill, I just do (I did today). I don’t care if it’s 1 PM. I don’t have to worry about being at somebody’s desk. If I want to go to the cemetery and read a book in the sunshine, I can (I did that today, too).
I’m already doing hunting-gathering for income sources, so I’ll be adding some constraints back to my life soon. But just having this brief space of time is useful. Having full possession of my time now is showing me how I want to feel even when I don’t have all my time to myself. I want to feel as wealthy as I am in fact.
What about you?
Are you savoring that many of life’s best things (nature, time with friends, books) are free or cheap?
Are you savoring the time you save from not having to work all that much?
Are you savoring the fact that you can go anywhere you want anytime you want?
Are you savoring your freedom?
