American Life -- From a lazyboy at 11pm
I often wonder how many of us actually take the time to think about what we have in our lives. Americans in general have an extremely high quality of life. Of course, there are many people in need of help in America, but the vast majority of those that I encounter are truly privileged. My cohort of Americans are pretty well educated, come from families that have more than enough to eat, if not more than enough to live on. They generally have good jobs, and the big problem in their lives is what type of TV to buy...okay, so that was the big problem in my life, until I decided not to buy one now...anyway, none of us have to worry about where our next meal is coming from. It's simply amazing to think about the difference between our lives and that of someone equally educated living in Europe or Asia. Most of us are saving for retirement, while most of them probably aren't saving much as regular savings. The interesting thing is that most of us probably worry about money more than they do, even though we have so much more. Seems like it comes with the territory though, the more you have, the more you "need," and the more you want. At some point, is there a "that's enough." I'd like to think there is, but I wonder if there is.
This past weekend, I left town on Tuesday evening, did some work from Philadelphia on Wednesday morning, met up with a friend for lunch, went to Best Buy for a few hours, and then went out in the evening. On Thursday, I went to a friends out for dinner. On Friday, I drove to New Jersey and spent time with family. On Saturday I came back to Baltimore, and on Sunday I watched football. Sounds like an amazingly productive use of time, huh? I don't think I should feel guilty about it, because its not unreasonable to relax and enjoy life.
For most around the world, those 5 days probably entailed working through 3 of them, if not all 5. It might have entailed avoiding nasty people who are out to hurt you, or figuring out where to get some food, or simply sitting in the same spot, because you can't move. It might have entailed going to watch a game, cooking a turkey, or shopping till you dropped...especially if you're in America.
So what's the point you ask...or don't ask, maybe you don't care...it is: Stop, look around, take stock of your surroundings, and put your life into perspective of the world, not just those that you know. What you do from there is your choice...maybe it's nothing, maybe it's something...it doesn't matter, just be aware...that first step is harder than it seems...
This past weekend, I left town on Tuesday evening, did some work from Philadelphia on Wednesday morning, met up with a friend for lunch, went to Best Buy for a few hours, and then went out in the evening. On Thursday, I went to a friends out for dinner. On Friday, I drove to New Jersey and spent time with family. On Saturday I came back to Baltimore, and on Sunday I watched football. Sounds like an amazingly productive use of time, huh? I don't think I should feel guilty about it, because its not unreasonable to relax and enjoy life.
For most around the world, those 5 days probably entailed working through 3 of them, if not all 5. It might have entailed avoiding nasty people who are out to hurt you, or figuring out where to get some food, or simply sitting in the same spot, because you can't move. It might have entailed going to watch a game, cooking a turkey, or shopping till you dropped...especially if you're in America.
So what's the point you ask...or don't ask, maybe you don't care...it is: Stop, look around, take stock of your surroundings, and put your life into perspective of the world, not just those that you know. What you do from there is your choice...maybe it's nothing, maybe it's something...it doesn't matter, just be aware...that first step is harder than it seems...
posted by Mitesh at 7:41 PM
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