Sunday, March 16, 2008

Not a Care

I mentioned to someone the other day that I would love to wake up in the morning and not have a care in the world. She immediately starts telling me that I need to get educated on how to buy and sell stocks. The stock market is the only way to make the big bucks. Working everyday and putting money into savings was not going to do it for me.

I had to stop her. "I said I wanted to not have a care in the world. I didn't say I wanted to be a millionaire." Now, don't get me wrong I wouldn't mind having a few million in the bank but that's not what I was talking about. She felt the two situations were mutually exclusive.

I beg to differ. I know that I could get by with less and be perfectly happy. I joke alot about selling my house and working in a bookstore. I wouldn't do it obviously because the heirs to the throne are depending on me not to be crazy. But if it were just me (which it will be soon), I'd think long and hard about it. I have finally discovered that as long as I work for someone else I'll never be content with my position within the corporate structure. I've done well over the years but I'm not content. Is that weird? I can shrug my shoulders and admit that it's good enough, but who the hell wants to live like that? Settling for good enough. I preach the dangers of mediocrity to my kids because I know how much it sucks ... now it's time for me to do something about this. Now that I'm well out of survival mode I have to move into living mode. You know what I mean? I've lived the majority of my adult life doing what I had to do in order to survive. Now it's time to live. Really live.

5 comments:

Single Ma said...

That person obviously has no clue what it means to have a good QoL. In fact, her recommendation will get you the exact opposite effect. People who invest all of their money in the stock market are the MOST stressed out - especially during downturns and market swings. It's a shame when people associate money with happiness.

So, Chele, what will make you feel like you're living? What are you going to do differently? Whatever it is, do you plan to start TODAY?

TJ said...

I know folks with a lot of money who have plenty on their minds. LOL. It must be really exciting to embrace the possibilities of a new phase in your life.

lyre said...

What does it mean to really live for you, my sista?
Quiting a paycheck for a career?
Living out a dream from your youth that responsibility took away?
Selling it all and taking that once in a lifetime trip?
I think "really living" is a variable. Obviously that coworker's idea is monetary wealth to do whatever you want to do.
This phase of life is fun. You see possibilities in your sites. Shoot for it, girl!

Blah Blah Blah said...

What would make you happy?

LadyLee said...

"...now it's time for me to do something about this."

Then do the darn thing, Oldgirl. Everything starts with words, and those are some powerful words right there.

And it AMAZES me when people think that contentment is based on how much money is in the bank. Humph.