From Peru Indiana Today in February, 2018. I don't work at the library anymore, but it was a lovely job and a wonderful place to spend work hours. I miss it, but I'm glad to have the time to put into other places.
There was this meme on Facebook today that said, basically,
if you woke up with 500 million dollars in the bank, how would you quit your
job? I've been thinking about it ever since I saw it. And I can't help but
wonder about something.
Why would you want 500 million dollars? Why would anyone? I
mean, I definitely get wanting or needing more money than you have. We raised a
family in fear of emergencies, because we never had that nice cushion in the
bank that was recommended. Eating out was a Big Deal because we couldn't afford
to do it very often. Paying book rent at the first of the school year for three
kids meant robbing Peter to pay Paul until things fell back into place along
about November, just in time to shop for Christmas. More money would have been
nice.
It still would, I guess. But, if you're not going to give it
away or help someone who needs it, what is the point of having a lot of money?
Maybe I have been luckier than many in that I've liked my jobs, both the one I
retired from and the ones I have in retirement. There's nothing more fun than
writing books, not much that's more fun (for me) than working in a library.
If I had 500 million dollars...no, even if I had five
million dollars, how would life be any better? I suppose the house would be
bigger and have more bathrooms. Maybe I wouldn't compare prices at the grocery
store or book the cheapest flights or drive my car until its wheels threaten to
fall off. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't clean my own house anymore and I know I've
always said if I were rich, I'd sleep on clean sheets every single night. I
might spend more on clothes. And closets. I'd give more.
But I'm not sure what I'd do once I was finished...you
know...not doing what I do now. I don't think sunrises or sunsets would be any
more beautiful, my cats more accepting, or my friends any better. I think
relationships might change in crumbling, scratchy ways that would cause pain. I
think there are people who would decide they liked me because I was rich,
and...really, is that a good enough reason?
So, okay, if I wake up with that 500 million, you can have
it (except for a little bit--I'm not entirely stupid) and I'll just keep the
life I have. But I'd love to hear your answers to why you'd want that much
money in the first place.
Thanks for reading. See you next week.
I’m pretty much where you are, Liz. Funny, I can think of more things I’d rather do to bring some ease to people I know who could use it than things I’d like to do for me. A few little extras to make life nicer, but my life is pretty nice right now. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI think age has something to do with it, too. We know how few things really end up meaning something. Makes me wonder why rich people continue to accumulate and guard their holds so jealously.
DeleteI'd put a little away for retirement and for bebe's eduction. Pay off any debt we have. Give most of it away because you're right, I have what I need...
ReplyDeleteIt's a blessing, too, to have what you need and know it. Thanks, Kristi.
DeleteI've thought about this every once in a while when a lottery prize gets really big. And now that I'm older, no one I love would be in debt, including me:) And we'd take more trips. But I often wonder if being rich would change a young person's perspective if there's no worry about money at all, if you could still find a sense of purpose. I'm guessing you could, but keeping our heads above water sure motivated us:)
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