As I was life guarding today, I started thinking. Want to know what I thought about? Aside from a lot of random thinking, I thought about a pretty deep question:
If you had to choose between the two, would you be rich or poor?
Being rich would definitely have its advantages. You'd be in a position to help others. You would probably wield some influence among the people. You'd be living a life of comfort, and never have to want for anything. BUT...the wealth you possess might make it hard for you to get over yourself. You might find that you have no time, due to work, and unnecessary extra circular activities. You might use the TV to babysit your kids. Why not? You have unlimited channels, after all. You might grow ignorant of the real needs of the world. You might buy a huge gas-guzzling car and a huge house you don't need just because you can. You might have a TV in every room of the house, just because you can...
I think overall, I'd prefer to be poor. I don't want a huge house. I don't want tons of "stuff." I don't want the latest high-tech unnecessary gadgets that will supposedly make your life more comfortable and convenient. Being "poor" makes you more down-to-earth and real. You learn to appreciate the simple things of life. You appreciate and understand the Gospel more fully. You remain humble and kind and understanding of others. If work is close by your home, you'd have the wonderful opportunity to ride your bike to it, or walk to it, to be outdoors. Sometimes I wonder if I have too much stuff. I'm sure I don't wear about half the clothes in my wardrobe... I'm not saying that being poor is without disadvantages. There would definitely be trying times, times when money is scarce, but needed. Times where your children are upset because they don't have whatever latest toy is out, but their friend does. But they do have the chance to enjoy being outdoors, to spend time with their families, to learn what life is really about, what will really make them happy. Not from the "comforts" that commercialism likes to brainwash us about...
It's something else. I think I know what it is. I'm pretty happy. Do you know what it is?
(That's a rhetorical question. You're not supposed to answer them...)
9 comments:
Rich/poor, I don't know that either really matters, as long as we grateful for whatever we have instead of having pride in what we think we own. Gratitude acknowledges that what we have to use in this life==stuff, talents, time, everything, are gifts to be used wisely.
And just when did you consider your clothes to be a "wardrobe"?
I couldn't think of the right word! Not a wardrobe...but that's the closest I could get to what I wanted to say...
"My clothing supply"
"All the clothes I own"
"Total mass of clothing"
Uhh....Maybe I'll use a thesaurus next time.
The rich stuff reminds me of DARLA
Why not have both? Its called "go to college [poor] then get a job [rich, well relativley, after a while]".
Or were you just thinking of a philosophical reason to skip college?
I think I would like to be somewhere in the middle...not too rich that I forget to think about others/(thats not to say you can be rich and kind...there certainly are people in the world who are both)and not so poor that money becomes a source of contention and constant concearn.I think it is most important to actively choose to be charitable and loving no matter your social class.
Just look at Matilda Wormwood.
That is interesting. Hmmm...(imagine me tapping my index finger next to my lips like Mrs. Coon does.) It is kind of related to the thought of Fame. I don't think I would like to be famous. The whole nation would know whenever you did something bad. There could also be gossip blogs targeted at the famous you. Wow.
By the way, I just woke up from a nap, and my headache is gone. You were right about sleeping it off Dr. Nedge!
Interesting thoughts, Nedgie.
I hope while you were being deep and pondering the meaning of money you also had a wary eye peeled on the swimmers of the pool. Rich or poor, we all must do our jobs.
hmmm, this makes me wonder...can I be poor and rich in mind? I think that is where the difference that counts lies. If I'm rich but poor in mind, I would have four T.V.'s. But the rich in mind always strive to learn more, serve more, and be more.
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