The Greed Culture

Wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I graduated from school. Was adamant I needed to get out of school fast.

Didn’t think much about owning property or getting married. Kinda wanted to travel, maybe see a bit of the world.

Of course I’ve seen more now. Way more as the clock has ticked. And I’ve come to a conclusion.

Money rules the world. Money rules life. Money rules (period).

It didn’t take me long to realize you can’t live without it. The more you make ironically, the more you need. Or you think you need.

I remember once a family member saying when I’d confessed to being miserable about debt, “You made your own bed.”

True enough. However, fate deals us the almighty cards and the Universe shovels out what should be. At least that’s how I view the big picture now. I'm so grateful that money comes to me easily and frequently!

Who invented money anyway? It used to be we’d trade. Barter. Now we have debt and bills because we can pay with credit cards and bank loans.

In Uganda, everything you buy is paid for by cash. No credit. No trust.

So a person doesn’t get what they can’t afford. Not like our culture.

I'm ashamed to say - the greed culture.

Life is Opportunity

Pretty sure when you ask anyone about destiny and what it means to them there’s going to be something about life in there. Living. Money. Health. Family. Career.

But all that can change in a heart beat.

I have a neighbour who brought that to light.

A few days ago I had the chance to chat with her. We met in line at the ferry terminal. She’d just returned from running a half marathon race in San Francisco and touring the region around. I felt so elated hearing of her accomplishment.  

Then she brought up her partner and the “C” word. Cancer. He’d recently been diagnosed. It is terminal.

I felt saddened, yet celebrated. She told me they planned to share their story in a blog. Their new journey of life. Planning trips. Living each day with hope. It’s called Rootin' For Ron.

When I think about the end of life, I recall those close to me whose spirits have passed. Not necessarily gone. They’ve moved on. But always in my heart.

Then I reflect on R&J and their voyage. To live each day to the fullest. With laughter and love. With hope.

Their new opportunity for life.

I'm Rootin' For Ron. 

Money Rules

We’re born with nothing. When we die, we leave with nothing. How did the in-between get so muddled?

There’s this huge necessity for acquiring things and stuff. A car. A house with all that goes in it. The need for a vacation. Saving for retirement. Which adds up to financial pressure.

In the morning before I leave the boat I rub the Buddha’s belly. To remind myself to come back to the now and to put a smile on my face. Grateful for my health, my family and my friends. That’s what counts.

I grow tired listening to people complain about not having enough. Especially money.

Then I hear tales of survival in poverty pockets around the world. A woman who had to go to work so she could feed her children and tied her children to a tree because she didn’t have anyone to look after them.

Why does money rule? 

The Shadows of Debt

Swallow the pride I said to myself. Make the call. If it’s before noon, you’ll have the money in your account the next day.
I couldn't go any longer. How embarrassing would it be to be standing there with key in hand and debit card in another and oops, “Insufficient funds in account.” Sorry. Can’t take the truck home tonight after the brakes have been renewed. Ouch.
Drawing on one’s pension since one lost the steady high paying full-time job almost two years ago is demoralizing. Not only that, scary. I transferred the pension over to the RRSPs so I could access as needed. Far too frequently. When it’s gone. It is gone.
Money. Money. Money. Can’t live without it. Whenever you have it, no matter how much you make or have, for some reason it is never enough.
I often dwell on what it would be like to not worry about paying bills on time. The triple A credit rating took time. Don’t want to loose it.
Years ago, I remember furnishing my first apartment. In a second hand store I discovered a treasure of an art deco kitchen table. Had to have it. Went to the bank, not thinking and got the cash. Handed it over to the shop owner and said, that’s my rent money right there.
He looked at me with a smile and a smirk shrugging his shoulders and said, “It’s only money honey!”