"Love won't pay the bills," is a popular phrase, yet perhaps love may be the best investment in times of a recession. (And should always be) Whether one lives in a city or a suburb, a community consists of several individuals, so despite all the hype, it's never a one man show. Therefore, what's up with all this, "I'm Doing Me - You Do You" attitude? This idea of division to satisfy our ego's desires has left us lonely, even when a person sleeps beside us at night. No man is and island, and wether we're single or committed, we all deal with people on a daily basis. But I've noticed that many couples no longer make decisions together because their priorities tend to magnetize outer sources instead of within. And while it's great to enjoy the mysteries and material abundance of the world, we should never neglect what's inside us first. The stuff we were naturally born with. So while money is a tool to trade food, spices, technology and so many other goods and services with around the world, could it be possible that we abused the purpose of money in our lives? Have we worshiped money, and maybe chose a career based on how large our salary would be instead of what talents of ours we could bring to the table, and how happy we'd truly be on the job? So instead of stressing out about working over time or moving up the corporate ladder, maybe it's time to take a break. Maybe our higher source (Call it God, Allah, Guardian Angel, Higher Self etc) wants us to revaluate ourselves and our close relationships before we continue on our path to success. Just maybe, the essence of an abundantly beautiful person, is their understanding, compassionate and sensitive nature, and not so much their bank account and/or status quo.
In times like these, optimism is essential, but not like cracking jokes about things that aren't really funny, but rather about sending a genuine smile to other's regardless of how bad you think you might have it. It's about appreciating the fact that you can wake up in your own bed instead of a hospital with a deadly disease, having both of your legs to go jogging in a park on a sunny day for free, reading a great book inside of a public library, and just thanking some higher power for keeping you blessed beyond your wildest dreams. Just think about how much worst it could be, and then look at your significant other or relative and say, "I love you. Let's do something fun today". Families and friends have to remember not to lose their minds during this recession. This is an era for change, like an earthquake, yet instead of shifting underground plates, we're moving priorities around to cleanse our spirit's.
I find it to be a shame that our culture has created and promoted various songs on the radio and television regarding the worship of money, fame and privilege, yet neglecting the power of love. Although I'm not suggesting that being rich and famous is evil or selfish. Oprah Winfrey is among the top most affluent celebrities of all time, and has enlightened many hearts and minds across the country; yet a good portion of todays media purposely focuses on exploiting people's weakness's to create a feeling of insecurity if they do not possess the finer things in life. Women seek men with plenty of money, and even men are more drawn to women who are self-sufficient and independent. I'm not suggesting to be lazy, but people are much harder on each other these days. They've raised the bar so high that hardly anyone makes room for mistakes anymore, and pride gets in the way of patience and forgiveness. So the quickest thing to do, is to cut ties in a relationship and search for someone better. I heard someone say once, "I'm young, rich and single; I have options". While it's a good thing not to settle for just anything that walks into your life, I couldn't help but wonder, is it just as unhealthy when we go to opposite extremes of being too selective in choosing the right partner, or how quickly we'll leave an existing relationship because we know how many other singles are out there who have more to offer, in terms of, have more money, security and material comfort to offer?
Whether single or committed, where's the love?
It seems like many are searching for a fantasized partner, one who matches the cover of a magazine like "GQ" for women, or "Maxim" for men. People want to know how your credit score is, what type of car you drive, how big your house is, what types of clothes you wear, how fit your body is, who you associate with, and while all of that is fine because you'd like to be compatible with a person, it's when the character of a person is measured by how many "toys" they own or how "fine" they look, instead of how strong, spiritual and compassionate they are, that frightens me. But now that thousands of people are losing their jobs, or even receiving salary deductions, are we being a little less picky, and more understanding of one another? Or is the pressure still on with little patience as to when this recession will end, anticipating for things to go back to normal?
Before the recession grew, I remember a few people driving nice cars but still desiring to have something better like a BMW or a Mercedes Benz, or mother's spending thousands of dollars for breasts implants or nose jobs, and yet telling their children that they couldn't afford to pay for their after school activities because it was too expensive. Therefore, both men and women were putting their outer appearances above their love for one another. That's why when they say, "Not everything that glitters is gold", I take a deeper look, because although some people may seem like they're a prize to be won, they have little love to offer. Although I do believe that "To each their own", and "What works in your house may not work in mine", I also know that love is a central principle and a universal language that everyone understands, not like some rule or standard of living that will eventually run its course. Trying too hard to live above our means out of peer pressure seems juvenile but a lot of people were doing it. It's like, instead of trying to hang out with the most popular kids in school, we were trying to be the richest. Couples do it, families do it, children watch their parents doing it and follow in their footsteps. Children become teenagers or enter their early twenties and start dating people within their own class, too afraid to bring home a person with significantly more or less money. I can't help but wonder, if there is some spiritual reason behind this economical crisis that has swept across our nation, affecting our way of living when many of us (not everyone) had more than enough but were still unsatisfied. Having to wear the latest designer name brands or most expensive pieces of jewelry is going along with a fad that changes faster than the blink of an eye. We all know, especially living in a major city, that what's in today is out tomorrow. Although we all deserve to glamorize ourselves, there is something we must first possess inside so that these "things" we buy don't end up filling an empty void that we're avoiding to investigate from within.
There is a time and a place for everything, so being obsessed with having more money can sometimes backfire, not for punishment, but to show that "What you put in, is what you get out". So what is your money really going into? Are you taking your wife out to a concert so she could see her favorite singer, or taking the kids to a foreign country to teach them how broad the world is, or the whole family to a summer home in The Hamptons? Or are you collecting more money to spend it on immediate gratification, like drinking at the bar with the fella's every week, buying a new watch or a suit? And for the ladies, are you spending it on another pair of shoes, color treating your hair again and buying another fabulous bikini, before maybe buying a good book for yourself or your kids to read? I'm not saying it's wrong to pamper ourselves once in a while and treat ourselves like the Kings and Queens that we are, but there is a balance that I feel is healthy to obtain. In other words, are you investing your money into things that will produce authentic loving results or self-absorbing superficialness?
Friday, September 4, 2009
Money, Money, Money
*****"Some people want it all, but I don't want nothing at all, if I ain't got you babe, if I ain't got you, some people want diamond rings, some just want everything, but everything means nothing, if I ain't got you", lyrics sung by Alicia Keys.*****
Now despite what I wrote before about todays American society promoting too much superficial nonsense, just to make a profit in almost any which way possible, fortunately there are still artists such as Alicia Keys, India Arie and Maxwell, (just to name a few) who are spreading positive vibes. (And talk show hosts like Oprah Winfrey, actors and producers like Will Smith, etc) Sure they make a responsible living doing it, but they're also pouring refreshing energy into anyone willing to share and receive, divine guidance. However, there are so many youngsters infected with provocative music videos, mindless reality shows and movies related to being egotistical and selfish, that I feel we should propose a better message. My point is that, unless we love ourselves unconditionally as human beings, than there is no amount of money that will buy our way out of insecurity. A bigger house is not going to keep our marriage alive, driving in a faster car is not going to speed up our life's mission, and flossing more jewelry is not going to make us more valuable if we never make a real difference in someone else's life. We as adults have to be an example for the next generation to follow. It is not effective enough to just talk the talk but not walk the walk. Money should be a tool to enjoy life with, but not to revolve life around. Otherwise, money can become an obsession, and the seed becomes corrupted once greed forms at the root. Hence, I truly hope that people remember, not to live to work, but to work to live. I feel that we should all respect one another despite who is rich or poor, who is an executive or who is a janitor, who owns diamonds and pearls, or who owns only one pair of shoes. A man should be judged by his character, not by how much material abundance he's accumulated. So please, if you're one of the millions searching for a soul mate, or if you're already involved in a wonderful relationship but experiencing some rocky times because of this recession, don't let money and material things be the #1 reason to make or break your relationship. Remember that trees and oxygen, fruits and vegetables, water and land was created trillions of years ago, long before money ever existed. Therefore money is a tool invented by man to exchange goods and services with however, the world would still spin on its axis and operate without it, you would still hunger and thirst, and you would still feel emotions too like excitement or fear, so don't bury love into the ground as if it's an ancient thing of the past. I'm not suggesting to go back to a barbaric society, but if the best things in life are free, then maybe love is the eternal joy in which we all seek, and shouldn't be traded for any price. I'm just saying...Love should be at the center of all things in which we build our foundation upon, or whatever empire we're building will fall from its own destruction.
*****An inspirational movie that I encourage everyone to see, would be "Seven Pounds", starring Will Smith. Although the beginning of the movie was slow, the purpose of the film was so profoundly necessary for today's generation that it is a must-see. Towards the end, the mystery unfolds itself by turning into the most beautiful flower with the sweetest fragrance. It is a healing monumental piece for people who are starving for truth. Furthermore, there are seven main characters in the film who are examples of what decent people are, and it has nothing to do with how much or how little they have. It's about who they were from within.*****
*****An inspirational movie that I encourage everyone to see, would be "Seven Pounds", starring Will Smith. Although the beginning of the movie was slow, the purpose of the film was so profoundly necessary for today's generation that it is a must-see. Towards the end, the mystery unfolds itself by turning into the most beautiful flower with the sweetest fragrance. It is a healing monumental piece for people who are starving for truth. Furthermore, there are seven main characters in the film who are examples of what decent people are, and it has nothing to do with how much or how little they have. It's about who they were from within.*****
I hope that in times of a recession, people take a moment to reflect on themselves and invest their time talking with loved one's. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, and life is far grander than any paycheck can afford to replace. If a job is lost, perhaps rekindling an old flame or reuniting with someone you care for is a better gain. Now is the time to touch on issues that might've taken a back seat. Just like they say, "What's old to one man is like new to the next", well so are all of our worldly possessions. Your small town house would be a dream to someone who lives in a small apartment or even in a project building. And even a person living in the projects has more than someone living outside on a street corner. So if you're one of those couples who are moving out of your house to move back into a smaller apartment, remember that sometimes you have to take two steps back before you can move five steps ahead. Perhaps there is a deeper lesson to be learned, so you can appreciate the smaller details in life that made you that much more unique as one of God's precious creations.
*****"Hang on to the world as it spins around, just don't let the spin get you down, things are moving fast, hold on tight and you will last", lyrics sung by Donny Hathaway.*****
PEACE & LIGHT
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I like the way you've flung open the gate with your new blog. i actually found it by searching for other people who like donny hathaway. great taste by the way.
ReplyDelete...and for the record, i have a number of reasons to still believe, but i promise this recent shoot was all the more reason. such beautiful moments to capture.
see at: http://hopeculturelove.blogspot.com/2009/09/why-im-still-hopeful.html
you rock! i did receive your comment and it was so thoughtful. thank you so much. the affirmation goes a long way. i look forward to reading more and engaging along the way.
ReplyDeletesoon.