Money and children are the main sources of happiness in our world, there is nothing wrong with spending money on things you like, the trick is you don't overspend and on the other hand you don't underspend either if you are making enough. while I will choose the Audi R8 and currently hunting for one over the 718 Cayman, but I still love the Cayman and I drove it actually, and it's a fine piece of motoring.
I personally will give 2.5% of whatever I make every year to good cause, Charity or someone in need and still spend on things I like and feel good about it.
There are so many ways I could reply to this, so much to unpack, I'll try to stick to one or two ideas.
I appreciate your honesty. Honestly pursuing material goods seems preferable to self righteousnous that is doubling up as a cover for selfish desires.
There is nothing wrong with desires either, though I think it's important to look at what fuels your desires. Are they desires that stem from a sense of fear or lack? Do you "need" these things to feel successful? Will you feel lack if you don't achieve these things? Are you willing to place their realization above your ideals? Or are they just things you'd like to have, things that would make life more enjoyable? It's often hard to tell unless you dig really deep.
I understand your ...annoyance (would you call it that?) at people who seem to think money is evil and that it's wrong to want to enjoy any modern comforts. But there is validity to the idea that are economic systems are built on faulty, self destructive premises, and as you participate in them, it becomes harder and harder to accept that line of thinking. If you reject these ideas as bullshit too easily you risk limiting your perspective and coloring yourself in the ideas accepted within that system, pretty biased, I'd say.
There is nothing wrong with looking out for yourself, I think this is where the confusion comes in. Somehow some people want to retaliate against all the selfishishness in the world by being completely selfless...something which is not really sustainable and arguably can't even really exist. Looking out for yourself can potentially a "selfless" act because when your needs are met you are more available to help others. For this reason I don't reject money despite being able to see how deeply tied it is to all the contradictions in the world. The fact is, even bough I don't believe it should be the case, a large amount of energy has been placed in money because of the belief that people have in it. I would prefer that this energy slowly seeps out of money and back into human relationships but by rejecting money from coming my way, I'm fighting an uphill battle so I'd be happy to have much more of it. At the same time, I'm not willing to make big compromises about how I make it and would like to avoid being overly self indulgent with whatever comes my way. That's me though. ;-)
The real question for you is, when you get that collection of cars, will you truly feel encouraged to use that position of abundance to think of the freedom, well being, and abundance of others, or will you remember all the hard work and bullshit it took to achieve these things and feel a sense of entitlement which causes you to further focus on your own personal, "selfish" pursuits?
I'm not judging you, please don't get that idea. I think you are really insightful and everyone has their own situation, focus, and purpose.
Sorry this comment was a mess, like I said, too much I wanted to reply to and I didn't want to make it painfully long. Im happy to keep this conversation going if it interests you though.
For me the importance of money is to bring me some security, stability and respect. But I do not have the consumerist spirit to buy things just to show others that I have them.
Very hard to get lost in the "money game", it makes you rise above in your mind and puts your reputation at risk. I run 3 businesses and its so simple to lose the fact of WHY you started it and what your reasons are for keeping it going. Because sometimes its just about the dollars.
This is a beautiful post; I couldn't agree with you more. We live in a culture where there is an insidious narrative about a false dichotomy between earned material and spiritual wealth.
On a related note, I read an article yesterday that you may find interesting about the "morality of moneylending":
Hell yeah dude, if that's what you want, it's great you can set a goal, and I hope you achieve it. Me, I don't aim for stuff like that cause it's a headache, the property taxes, higher insurance, higher maintenance costs... But I'm not a high roller so I don't get the big picture, some people do and you should never begrudge someone else's success. I used to work trimming out high end custom homes, sure there was more money then made sense, but it kept me fed.
Exactly and well said. The other things are just redistribution of wealth. The system is set up so that the wealth flows up to the top of the pyramid. You can be a spiritual as you want but if you don't get this then please don't pretend to be wise and sell lot's of useless books with no real anwser that will help you in real life. Real money should retain it's value and not flow back to the top through taxes for worthless infrastructure BS, ugly buildings, more government and other actors who are not productive. Stop funding BS by getting out of this system. You didn't contract with any of it so use your own money and trade value. Win win is when I produce something more than I need and I can trade the surplus for something I want instead. All the rest is just mafia trying to sell you their useless old crap like police, banks, cars on gasoline and roads.
I don't see any conflict between spirituality and materialism, at least not as I "practice" it.
Spirituality, to me, is about getting over "un-truths" at the psychological level. As an example, to worry is almost never productive or healthy. To understand oneself enough to get the root of worrying and be free of it -- THAT to me is a spiritual practice.
I don't see anything wrong with driving around in a porche or fucking a lot of hot chicks, nor snorting coke off of their asses, for that matter. I just would prefer to be zen as fuck when I do all of it!
Hii james! I know you are into homsteading and want to share with you the very first part of my great Earthship Story.. I hope you follow this story of one man's mission to self build.. its quit a story! Being self sufficient is the way out of materialism!
Money and children are the main sources of happiness in our world, there is nothing wrong with spending money on things you like, the trick is you don't overspend and on the other hand you don't underspend either if you are making enough. while I will choose the Audi R8 and currently hunting for one over the 718 Cayman, but I still love the Cayman and I drove it actually, and it's a fine piece of motoring.
I personally will give 2.5% of whatever I make every year to good cause, Charity or someone in need and still spend on things I like and feel good about it.
There are so many ways I could reply to this, so much to unpack, I'll try to stick to one or two ideas.
I appreciate your honesty. Honestly pursuing material goods seems preferable to self righteousnous that is doubling up as a cover for selfish desires.
There is nothing wrong with desires either, though I think it's important to look at what fuels your desires. Are they desires that stem from a sense of fear or lack? Do you "need" these things to feel successful? Will you feel lack if you don't achieve these things? Are you willing to place their realization above your ideals? Or are they just things you'd like to have, things that would make life more enjoyable? It's often hard to tell unless you dig really deep.
I understand your ...annoyance (would you call it that?) at people who seem to think money is evil and that it's wrong to want to enjoy any modern comforts. But there is validity to the idea that are economic systems are built on faulty, self destructive premises, and as you participate in them, it becomes harder and harder to accept that line of thinking. If you reject these ideas as bullshit too easily you risk limiting your perspective and coloring yourself in the ideas accepted within that system, pretty biased, I'd say.
There is nothing wrong with looking out for yourself, I think this is where the confusion comes in. Somehow some people want to retaliate against all the selfishishness in the world by being completely selfless...something which is not really sustainable and arguably can't even really exist. Looking out for yourself can potentially a "selfless" act because when your needs are met you are more available to help others. For this reason I don't reject money despite being able to see how deeply tied it is to all the contradictions in the world. The fact is, even bough I don't believe it should be the case, a large amount of energy has been placed in money because of the belief that people have in it. I would prefer that this energy slowly seeps out of money and back into human relationships but by rejecting money from coming my way, I'm fighting an uphill battle so I'd be happy to have much more of it. At the same time, I'm not willing to make big compromises about how I make it and would like to avoid being overly self indulgent with whatever comes my way. That's me though. ;-)
The real question for you is, when you get that collection of cars, will you truly feel encouraged to use that position of abundance to think of the freedom, well being, and abundance of others, or will you remember all the hard work and bullshit it took to achieve these things and feel a sense of entitlement which causes you to further focus on your own personal, "selfish" pursuits?
I'm not judging you, please don't get that idea. I think you are really insightful and everyone has their own situation, focus, and purpose.
Sorry this comment was a mess, like I said, too much I wanted to reply to and I didn't want to make it painfully long. Im happy to keep this conversation going if it interests you though.
For me the importance of money is to bring me some security, stability and respect. But I do not have the consumerist spirit to buy things just to show others that I have them.
Nothing wrong with money until you start trying to use it to impress other people, get "friends" , get wives, etc.
I am right there with you man. Dreams Do come we. We make them happen. You will get your dream, as will I. Great post, got my vote and my follow.
✊
Hi @rok-sivante I've published a post about you, check it out if you can, thanks.
30 Best Steemit Bloggers Of The Day To Follow 3rd August 2017
https://steemit.com/steemit/@jzeek/30-best-steemit-bloggers-of-the-day-to-follow-3rd-august-2017
Very hard to get lost in the "money game", it makes you rise above in your mind and puts your reputation at risk. I run 3 businesses and its so simple to lose the fact of WHY you started it and what your reasons are for keeping it going. Because sometimes its just about the dollars.
This is a beautiful post; I couldn't agree with you more. We live in a culture where there is an insidious narrative about a false dichotomy between earned material and spiritual wealth.
On a related note, I read an article yesterday that you may find interesting about the "morality of moneylending":
https://www.theobjectivestandard.com/issues/2007-fall/morality-of-moneylending/
Totally agree, its a false conflict. I find that rich people are no less likely to be spiritual than poor people.
Hell yeah dude, if that's what you want, it's great you can set a goal, and I hope you achieve it. Me, I don't aim for stuff like that cause it's a headache, the property taxes, higher insurance, higher maintenance costs... But I'm not a high roller so I don't get the big picture, some people do and you should never begrudge someone else's success. I used to work trimming out high end custom homes, sure there was more money then made sense, but it kept me fed.
I sometimes think the real reason we need rich people is to promote architecture.
Exactly and well said. The other things are just redistribution of wealth. The system is set up so that the wealth flows up to the top of the pyramid. You can be a spiritual as you want but if you don't get this then please don't pretend to be wise and sell lot's of useless books with no real anwser that will help you in real life. Real money should retain it's value and not flow back to the top through taxes for worthless infrastructure BS, ugly buildings, more government and other actors who are not productive. Stop funding BS by getting out of this system. You didn't contract with any of it so use your own money and trade value. Win win is when I produce something more than I need and I can trade the surplus for something I want instead. All the rest is just mafia trying to sell you their useless old crap like police, banks, cars on gasoline and roads.
Money equal freedom!!
Right , and you only have dignity if you could quit your job without going broke.
Money materialism n love towards my mom n son is my religion nothing else matters
I don't see any conflict between spirituality and materialism, at least not as I "practice" it.
Spirituality, to me, is about getting over "un-truths" at the psychological level. As an example, to worry is almost never productive or healthy. To understand oneself enough to get the root of worrying and be free of it -- THAT to me is a spiritual practice.
I don't see anything wrong with driving around in a porche or fucking a lot of hot chicks, nor snorting coke off of their asses, for that matter. I just would prefer to be zen as fuck when I do all of it!
Amen to that. 👊
Hii james! I know you are into homsteading and want to share with you the very first part of my great Earthship Story.. I hope you follow this story of one man's mission to self build.. its quit a story! Being self sufficient is the way out of materialism!
https://steemit.com/life/@eco-alex/diary-of-a-first-time-eco-builder-or-the-creation-of-my-life-s-dream-a-totally-off-grid-self-sufficient-home-earthship-karuna