Official Start Time: 11:05 p.m.
Date: 10/25/08
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.
This idea has been in the back of my head for a long time and I decided that now was the write time to write about it and see if I could map out a possible solution. Growing up in a family that lived off the bare necessities, I always dreamed of a better life. One where I didn't have to worry about the bills, rent, and putting my kids through college. My parents have always taught me to work hard in life and that to remember that we should grow up to be active members in our community; not forgetting our roots and the road we traveled to get where we stand today.
Money has never been and hopefully never will be something that I put too much value on. I usually try to avoid the conflict and thirst that consumes man in his mission of making it rich. When it comes to splitting the bill or deciding who owes who, I usually take the high road and pay my half or a little more just to avoid the confrontation that money often brings up. This doesn't mean that I'm some sucker when it comes to dealing with money; I just don't like the conflict that money can bring between friends.
Looking back at the life I have lived, I am conflicted with weighing which lifestyle would suite me better; the life of a rich man or the life of man who enjoys the simple pleasures in life. Which of the two lifestyles insure happiness, stability, and allows me to not lose the values I believe in?
On one side the life of a rich man would provide me with the stability and financial ability to do whatever I please. I could drive a great car, ensure a better future for my children, and not have a care in the world in terms of money. I could travel to anywhere in the world and see things that most people only read of in books and see on TV. With all this however comes some drawbacks. To start my life wouldn't be the same one I grew up with. The memories of everyday leaving to school and having my parents wish me a good day would be replaced by telling my children that I wish I could be there, but work has prevented me from doing so. I wouldn't have the time to insure that they grew up to be great people, with values that they would pass onto their children. And finally, I wouldn't be able to grow with my children as I see them move onto bigger and better things. I would be lost in my work and for some reason or another, not have the ability to remind them to give back to the world that has given them so much.
On the other side the life of a man who enjoys the simple pleasures in life would allows me to live a life without fears or restrictions. I would be my own man. I could focus on the details that matter most. I wouldn't have to worry about answering to someone and could really give back to my community. I could watch my children grow and see them experience all the things I once had to go through. I could teach them right from wrong, and remind them to give back to a world that has given them so much. Enjoying the simple pleasures doesn't necessarily mean you're all set. The bills, rent, and fears will continue to stand in your way. Our efforts maybe in vein. And the values we imagine passing onto our kids might just not seep through. We might be lost in a world that lacks to see the big picture. A world of its own that lives in a time so simple and happy that we are ignorant of the dynamic planet that surrounds us.
Both lifestyles share more and more in common than you would think. In both situation there are advantages and disadvantages. Neither lifestyle insure a pleasant tomorrow. Both can turn in negative directions. And both can limit us from doing the things we thought would have made us happy. At the same time we can have our cake and eat it too. Both roads can bring us unlimited happiness. Both roads can help us give back to our community. And both roads can help us leave our mark on this Earth through our work. It all comes down to making the decision that works for you.
In my case it is a choice between becoming an endocrinologist vs a teacher/professor in education. Both roads can lead to success while both roads can lead to dissatisfaction. What I should keep in mind is that we can have our cake and eat too. That neither decisions restricts us from doing certain things, but enables us to do bigger and better things.
Sincerely, Hector Guzman
Date: 10/25/08
Official End Time: 11:30 p.m.
This idea has been in the back of my head for a long time and I decided that now was the write time to write about it and see if I could map out a possible solution. Growing up in a family that lived off the bare necessities, I always dreamed of a better life. One where I didn't have to worry about the bills, rent, and putting my kids through college. My parents have always taught me to work hard in life and that to remember that we should grow up to be active members in our community; not forgetting our roots and the road we traveled to get where we stand today.
Money has never been and hopefully never will be something that I put too much value on. I usually try to avoid the conflict and thirst that consumes man in his mission of making it rich. When it comes to splitting the bill or deciding who owes who, I usually take the high road and pay my half or a little more just to avoid the confrontation that money often brings up. This doesn't mean that I'm some sucker when it comes to dealing with money; I just don't like the conflict that money can bring between friends.
Looking back at the life I have lived, I am conflicted with weighing which lifestyle would suite me better; the life of a rich man or the life of man who enjoys the simple pleasures in life. Which of the two lifestyles insure happiness, stability, and allows me to not lose the values I believe in?
On one side the life of a rich man would provide me with the stability and financial ability to do whatever I please. I could drive a great car, ensure a better future for my children, and not have a care in the world in terms of money. I could travel to anywhere in the world and see things that most people only read of in books and see on TV. With all this however comes some drawbacks. To start my life wouldn't be the same one I grew up with. The memories of everyday leaving to school and having my parents wish me a good day would be replaced by telling my children that I wish I could be there, but work has prevented me from doing so. I wouldn't have the time to insure that they grew up to be great people, with values that they would pass onto their children. And finally, I wouldn't be able to grow with my children as I see them move onto bigger and better things. I would be lost in my work and for some reason or another, not have the ability to remind them to give back to the world that has given them so much.
On the other side the life of a man who enjoys the simple pleasures in life would allows me to live a life without fears or restrictions. I would be my own man. I could focus on the details that matter most. I wouldn't have to worry about answering to someone and could really give back to my community. I could watch my children grow and see them experience all the things I once had to go through. I could teach them right from wrong, and remind them to give back to a world that has given them so much. Enjoying the simple pleasures doesn't necessarily mean you're all set. The bills, rent, and fears will continue to stand in your way. Our efforts maybe in vein. And the values we imagine passing onto our kids might just not seep through. We might be lost in a world that lacks to see the big picture. A world of its own that lives in a time so simple and happy that we are ignorant of the dynamic planet that surrounds us.
Both lifestyles share more and more in common than you would think. In both situation there are advantages and disadvantages. Neither lifestyle insure a pleasant tomorrow. Both can turn in negative directions. And both can limit us from doing the things we thought would have made us happy. At the same time we can have our cake and eat it too. Both roads can bring us unlimited happiness. Both roads can help us give back to our community. And both roads can help us leave our mark on this Earth through our work. It all comes down to making the decision that works for you.
In my case it is a choice between becoming an endocrinologist vs a teacher/professor in education. Both roads can lead to success while both roads can lead to dissatisfaction. What I should keep in mind is that we can have our cake and eat too. That neither decisions restricts us from doing certain things, but enables us to do bigger and better things.
Sincerely, Hector Guzman
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