I was reading the recent Dear Colleague letter from my favorite cultural geographer/philosopher, Yi-Fu Tuan, when I came across something I knew God wanted me to reflect over:
All of us have felt at some stage in life that we lack something essential to happiness that others have–good looks, happy marriage, vocational success, and such like. George Santayana restores our equanimity by saying, “what we miss may be enjoyed or attained by someone else: why isn’t that just as good? And there is no regret, either, in the sense of wishing the past to return, or missing it: it is quite real enough as it is, there at its own date and place.”
I have been my own worst critic, as of late, as far as poor choices and living my life with so much still lacking. I have so many ideas and dreams of what would be wonderful and have been living as if my life is incomplete, like these missing things will finally make me whole and happy. It was not until I read Yi-Fu Tuan's letter that I realized that my perspective has been very selfish. Every single thing I long for--a loving spouse, some joyful children, a meaningful job, perhaps a vegetable garden that doesn't thrive on dying--are being fully enjoyed and appreciated my many other people, the world over. I should find great joy that the things I would find as wonderful blessings from God are exactly that, but for others. This way of thinking gives me great peace. And that's why God wanted me reflect on Tuan's letter. The blessings I long for have been bestowed, and cherished, by other people. And for the love of others, that brings me joy.
Finding contentment in "my" blessings being bestowed on others does not mean I give up and not strive for wonderfulness or not be open to God providing these same blessings to me, it just means I can finally allow myself to be happy and not stress over what I do not have. I am one step closer to living joyfully not having to beat myself up over what I have deemed as lacking in my life. God has blessed me a million different ways, in ways others long for. I indeed have an embarrassment of my own blessings. God is wise and generous. Be well.
Showing posts with label selfishness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label selfishness. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Understanding Money
My present financial issues have got me thinking quite a bit about money lately. And, as my modus operandi, I tend to delve into nuance. Money, as important as it is to all people around the globe, is a truly funny thing, if you think about it.
Money is composed of a mix of paper bills and coins. The paper bills aren't actually paper, per se, but a mix of cotton and linen (mostly). Coins are made from metals of various types, including nickel, zinc, steel, copper, etc.
Back in the olden days, the currency you held in your hand had true and real value. Coins were made of more precious metals, like gold and silver, and carried their worth with them, which allowed for full and immediate transfer of value. Paper currency used to represent real gold (or in some cases, silver) in vaults in the care of the federal government, each bill essentially being a certificate of ownership of that amount of gold (or silver) in said vaults. In 1971, however, the connection between the tangible commodities and the currency was permanently severed by Richard Nixon. Now, we are on what is called the fiat system, in which currency is intrinsically useless, however still serves as a medium of exchange.
In its true essence, currency, i.e. money, is useless. You can't eat it. You can't wear it (effectively, anyways). You can't use it for shelter. I suppose you could burn it to stay warm, but would need a great deal of it to do this effectively.
Money is simply a theoretical creation of humans. It only has value because society has collectively deemed it so. Money, in its bare utilitarian nature, is a means to an end. The sole benefit of money is that it can be used to obtain goods and services.
My wise Grandma used to tell us kids, "Money is the root of all evil." This common saying is actually a misquote from the Bible, from the book of Timothy (6:10):
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
It is not money that is the root of all evil, as this quote states, it is actually selfishness. Selfishness, such as monetary greed, is where all sin originates. [The Revelation from God (http://www.scribd.com/doc/18001638/Revelation-from-God) discusses selfishness and sin further.]
Being driven to accumulate significant amounts of money is not bad, in itself, provided it is not for selfish reasons. Some seek money to provide for loved ones. Some seek money to not stress about ones daily needs. Some seek money to share and help and provide for those who cannot do so for themselves or have needs they themselves cannot meet. Money, when used properly, is a good and beautiful thing.
As I have been going through a financial crunch since my roommate moved out, I have become much more acutely aware of the difference between "want" and "need." I have cut back and reduced my expenditures in many ways and realize I wasted a lot of money on frivolous things. God always has a reason, and I have learned that frugality is actually the way God would like us all to live. That is not to say not to have money, but just not to be so wasteful with what we do have. This lesson has truly been a blessing, as I am a better person now because of it.
Money is composed of a mix of paper bills and coins. The paper bills aren't actually paper, per se, but a mix of cotton and linen (mostly). Coins are made from metals of various types, including nickel, zinc, steel, copper, etc.
Back in the olden days, the currency you held in your hand had true and real value. Coins were made of more precious metals, like gold and silver, and carried their worth with them, which allowed for full and immediate transfer of value. Paper currency used to represent real gold (or in some cases, silver) in vaults in the care of the federal government, each bill essentially being a certificate of ownership of that amount of gold (or silver) in said vaults. In 1971, however, the connection between the tangible commodities and the currency was permanently severed by Richard Nixon. Now, we are on what is called the fiat system, in which currency is intrinsically useless, however still serves as a medium of exchange.
In its true essence, currency, i.e. money, is useless. You can't eat it. You can't wear it (effectively, anyways). You can't use it for shelter. I suppose you could burn it to stay warm, but would need a great deal of it to do this effectively.
Money is simply a theoretical creation of humans. It only has value because society has collectively deemed it so. Money, in its bare utilitarian nature, is a means to an end. The sole benefit of money is that it can be used to obtain goods and services.
My wise Grandma used to tell us kids, "Money is the root of all evil." This common saying is actually a misquote from the Bible, from the book of Timothy (6:10):
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
It is not money that is the root of all evil, as this quote states, it is actually selfishness. Selfishness, such as monetary greed, is where all sin originates. [The Revelation from God (http://www.scribd.com/doc/18001638/Revelation-from-God) discusses selfishness and sin further.]
Being driven to accumulate significant amounts of money is not bad, in itself, provided it is not for selfish reasons. Some seek money to provide for loved ones. Some seek money to not stress about ones daily needs. Some seek money to share and help and provide for those who cannot do so for themselves or have needs they themselves cannot meet. Money, when used properly, is a good and beautiful thing.
As I have been going through a financial crunch since my roommate moved out, I have become much more acutely aware of the difference between "want" and "need." I have cut back and reduced my expenditures in many ways and realize I wasted a lot of money on frivolous things. God always has a reason, and I have learned that frugality is actually the way God would like us all to live. That is not to say not to have money, but just not to be so wasteful with what we do have. This lesson has truly been a blessing, as I am a better person now because of it.
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