A Single Seed: Replace Money With a Different Word
How many of us have spent at least a fleeting moment wondering whether or not our job was worth the money they're paying us, or if the thing we were spending our money on was really worth the charge that we were signing for? Unless you're one of the lucky ones who can't wait to get out of bed every morning and head into work, the thought of whether your time was worth your salary has probably crossed your mind. As citizens in a society that emphasizes cultivating and accumulating wealth more than any other in history, it is imperative that we find a way of supporting ourselves, but often this comes at the expense of trading our time for money. By forking over our time to earn money, we are able to fork over more money for things that we need or desire.
But what if we're taking the wrong perspective?
What if, instead of using the term "money", we used the term "freedom" in its place?
Comedian Whitney Cummings coined this idea, after she realized that everything she spent her money on was "either a positive or negative contribution to my future safety, sanity, and ability to feel free".
So, let's rewrite the first paragraph with this idea in mind:
How many of us have spent at least a fleeting moment wondering whether or not our job was worth the freedom they're paying us, or if the thing we were spending our freedom on was really worth the charge that we were signing for? Unless you're one of the lucky ones who can't wait to get out of bed every morning and head into work, the thought of whether your time was worth your freedom has probably crossed your mind. As citizens in a society that emphasizes cultivating and accumulating wealth more than any other in history, it is imperative that we find a way of supporting ourselves, but often this comes at the expense of trading our time for freedom. By forking over our time to earn freedom, we are able to fork over more freedom for things that we need or desire.
Things sound a little different when we think of money as freedom. Especially when we give it up to obtain other things in life. Was the Apple Watch you just bought worth the freedom you made while working forty hours last week? We obviously need some form of income, and that income really is a means to more freedom for many people. Freedom to eat what you want, travel when you feel like it, to live where you can afford, these things would all not be possible without the freedom provided by money.
Maybe you feel as though you want more freedom, and want to work overtime to advance within the company. Maybe you feel as though you're spending too much of you're freedom on things that don't give you the same freedom in return. Maybe you wish to keep the two entirely separate, and focus on achieving freedom from within, without any external variables. Either way, it's an important reminder that money can become so much more than what it is if we let it.
Key word: if.
"A Single Seed" is my attempt to get out one idea every day that I've learned or accumulated over the years, with the hope that it may stick in someone else's memory bank as well. The idea may be related to fitness, business, life, or philosophy, but I think you'll find that many can change domains if you wish them to. With each seed planted, a new life awaits.
Image credit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/blur-cash-close-up-dollars-545065/
So very true. There was a time I traded all my time for money (having a son was the cause). In less than ten years I burnt out badly working 60-75 hours a week while I got little support from his mother. I finally cracked, calculated how much I would really need to make to equal what I was keeping after taxes, gas, eating on the run, daycare and quit my jobs and went self employed. Within two years of that I began home schooling him and in the process I developed a bond with him most men will never enjoy having with their son.
I understand the necessity of needing to sacrifice (getting ready to do so again) but one should always have goals with the exit plan. Great write up (again).
I applaud you for having the courage to make that leap, sounds like it was necessary for your sanity and happiness, though challenging nonetheless I'm sure. And the added bonus of that special time with your son is surely worth more than any amount of money. Love hearing your insights!
Great concept, @troubledsoles! This is definitely something I have been thinking about lately. More income is always nice, but there is definitely a price in freedom.
There definitely is. The happiness can easily diminish with increasing amounts of income. Thanks @jayna!
This is a very creative and interesting perspective to look at money, and the worth that we attach to it.
And speaking of that worth, our society now values nearly everything in terms of money, resources, even time!
Replacing that with 'freedom', well, that is a new concept which i am not sure is possible, but it is certainly food for thought.
Because this information is valuable for the community.
This Post has now been chosen and will be featured in the 5th Edition of Xposed. Hopefully it will bring you some much needed exposure and rewards which your post deserves.
For more details on this project, read Xposed Introduction
You may also check out the 4th Edition
Thanks so much for the kind words @mirrors, and for the feature! That's my goal with this series, simply to get people to think. So glad it resonated with you.
It does resonate with me. It is a thoughtfully written article, original and relevant. It deserves many rewards and exposure...i wish i could offer more.
Meanwhile the feature post is out. Here is the link
This is more than enough, thanks again!
The pleasure is mine. Keep up the good work.