The other day I was talking with a friend about current events in politics, education, and religion (my favorite subjects). I really enjoy talking about ideas - Later, I got to thinking about the differences between those who are truly living their life vs. those who are merely existing at some level of perceived comfort. What I mean is that it is my percption that many, if not most, of the people I know as friends, aquaintences, coworkers, family; are in fact "leading lives of quiet despiration".
On the surface, many have the appearance of what is called "comfortable" living; nice house, decent car, the proverbial "good job", kids are doing ok, etc - you know, the "I'm doing OK" mentality. However, behind the scenes for many there's; credit debt, mortgage, bills, job, health issues, stress, Kids (?!), etc. Whatever it is, many people just can't seem to stay ahead of "things". Life can be very frustrating when you are in "survival" mode; Similarly, there are those that budget their time and money, have the bills paid, actually like and enjoy the challenges that come with kids, and also have the "good job". However, I feel that they too are also in this same boat - perhaps they just don't know it or choose not to recognise it. Because in both of these scenarios people trade their time for money - they are a slave to their money, most of their decisions are made for them, life is not easy, and decisions are risky because income is finite.
Consider these - even if you are self-employed -
Employment: Who sets your alarm clock every day? determines when you take your lunch & how much time you may have? determines when & how long you get to go on vacation? Do You, or does your boss/business?
Money: Why can't I afford to pay cash? When can I retire? Will I ever have enough money to do so? How many more years will I have to not do the things I'd really like to do, so I can "save" enough to be "comfortable"?
People: I can't stand my boss, my coworkers, or my neighbors. Perhaps you are divorced or don't speak to members of your family or children?
I ask people these questions every day and I hear in response - "I'm going to have to work forever; I'll never make enough money to retire; My job doesn't have a retirement package; Social Security will take care of me; I have enough investments to be comfortable; I'm happy to go to work everyday, sometimes on weekends and holidays too; Owning a business is too risky; I don't have time." and a slew of others, Really?!
The financial state of our nation is in critical stage - if the US were a patient, it would be in ICU and the phone call to the priest imminent. If you don't believe it - you simply are not paying attention or don't want to. How much longer will you believe that your job, or any job is secure and/or will provide you with the kind of money you're going to need in the coming decades? The stock market is over-inflated and the government just keeps printing money, messing with the interest rates, and telling us that we can spend our way out of this hole. Why has it become acceptable to "survive" the current economy? The time to step out & take charge of your life is now more than ever before!
I firmly believe that to truly live, you must find a way to thrive in finance, health, and relationships with others. Had I not been exposed to a huge community of people who live this way, I may have never even known that this is available to "regular" people who are willing to learn. There is an old business model that is coming back very strong in the 21st century called Direct Marketing. What would your life be like if you could systematically generate unlimited residual income through a home-based business? Income that is sustainable and long term, for you and your family. What if you could simply work from home on your terms. You set the hours, you determine when you work & when you play. How about being a stay at home mom/dad where you have the opportunity to educate and discipline your children instead of relying on someone else to do it? Would you consider this thriving?
My business partners and I have invested our futures in community building within the health and wellness market/industry because it is strong, growing, and promises to continue be the most lucrative business market now & for the forseeable future.
The thriving lifestyle is not easily obtained and getting there can be risky. It requires 100% comittment, lots of hard work, and persistence; but to those who choose to follow this path, the results are well worth the investment. Success in health, in finances, and in your relationships will allow you to thrive and live the life you want. What will your life look like in 5 years? Will you continue to survive, or will you choose to thrive and join us? What if?
This country was founded on education, personal responsibility, and free market ownership. I hope you join us in our cause to bring about positive change through the rebirth of these principles in every man, woman, and child in this country. If you are interested, I look forward to hearing from you at www.the-team.biz/mv974607 or you can e-mail me directly at stephen.hartka@the-team.biz
Be Well - Live Well
Stephen
To me it sounds rather arrogant to assume that someone lives a life a quiet desperation and doesn't know it. Maybe they are and maybe they aren't. Only they can know the truth of that.
ReplyDeleteNow I'd also like to contend that peace of mind has nothing to do with money. I know literally dozens of people with more money than they can spend and they are not happy. They are not slaves to trading time for money, nor are they what any one would call employed, self or otherwise. Happiness and peace of mind do not come from things, situations or circumstances. They are generated by the self, with a will toward creating that which inspires and brings beauty to the self.
No amount of money can solve issues of loneliness, isolation, a feeling of seperation from others and one's own life. To me it is doing that which inspires oneself which brings joy. Whether someone trades dollars for hours or makes a million dollars a second through direct marketing or any other method, the essential questions of being and life are not solved either way. And anyone who thinks that having money and time means that they are no longer subject to limitations is living in a fantasy world.
The world we live in is set up by a number of agreements we make. We agree to abide by a number of various rules, social expectations, etc. Suddenly having great wealth and lots of time doesn't change those emotional and social agreements. Nor does it absolve oneself of living an authentic life ruled by the heart, guided by a wise mind and lived fully in the moment one lives.
The problem isn't that folks need anything. All you need for happiness you already have. If money really was the issue, how much is enough? Goals and reaching them do not bring a sudden peace. If peace can't be found within the journey one makes then it certainly isn't going to be found at the end of the journey.
My contention is that the average person in this day & age does not have "time" – in particular. Time to: enjoy their families; raise their children; "enjoy the journey"; perhaps even “gain a deep knowledge of self”. Traditional earning methods requires ~95% of us to trade our time for money – whether through a job or self employment. On average the majority of our available time is required to do this. The average person makes just enough money to be ruled by it. Money drives their decision making instead of their true emotions – of which you speak. The ensuing lifestyle is plagued by stress, doubt, and fear. We see the results of this lifestyle every day on the nightly news. The average person works more hours than they spend with their family and will continue to do so for the rest of their life. Why is it that most people state that they work “because they have to”, not “because they want to”? The opportunity of which I speak provides people with the potential to earn above-average incomes, have more time in their life, develop stronger relationships with people, and perhaps the ability to find one self, have inner peace, and live a better quality of life where maybe the journey is healthy and pleasant all the way to the “end”, indeed.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has the same amount of time, and anyone who chooses to allow themselves to be the victim of life and let others decide what to do with their time is simply using an excuse to absolve themselves of the efforts required to live otherwise. Great people are not born with a different relationship to the march of time. Happy people are not either. Time marches on for each of us, and for each of us there will always be things that we prefer to do and things we prefer not to do. When we learn to have no preference and instead embrace each moment as a necessary part of our total selves then we grasp the excitement and freedom inherent in being alive.
ReplyDeleteYes, you offer a vehicle that can allow others to choose something different for their lives, and it is a good choice. Still it is not the opportunity that makes the person change, but the person who decides to make that change and then acts accordingly to make it so.
After all, if this ooportunity is something they end up not believing in, and more importantly not acting on, then does it not become just another thing that they can fall victim to doing or not doing well, thus consuming more of that precious time they believe they have so little of? All things of value must be grasped with intention, vitality and vigorous enthusiasm. I applaud you for yours in your path. But one path is much the same. If folks can learn to grasp their own life with such vigor then life itself becomes their own reward and all worries about time dissolve beneath the onslaught of joyful living.
Your last sentence is indeed the intention and the basis of the learning system that the Team disseminates amongst our community.
ReplyDeleteWhen people understand themselves and how we interact as emotional beings, one can begin to identify and pursue a purpose that hopefully brings true happiness and value to our lives & those that we touch.
This opportunity is not for everyone. Many will not live a life of consistent learning and the development and nuturing of healthy, positive habits.
Your understanding and knowledge are a blessing to me personally, keep the comments coming!