The cost of living

Category: Ramblings | Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 10:08 am

I've tired of all the talk about higher wages, higher petrol prices, unnaturally high house prices, the very low prices on unhealthy food, the furniture people buy one year and throw away the next, and all the time complaining about the cost of living.

In my opinion these people know the price of everything, but the value of nothing.

How much is a tree worth? You buy it, care for it, watch it bloom and grow, and the pleasure it gives is worth far more than the money spent.

How much does a friendship cost? You invest in your friend with thoughts, actions, heart and time. You have to risk being vulnerable and open your heart to him. You risk being hurt from time to time. Sometimes so hurt that you will always carry a scar.

I can probably never understand why people work so hard to appear successful, with the right neighbourhood, clothes and cars. I do understand that the pleasure it gives them is very great, otherwise they would not do it. Each to his own. But my mind is different. I value the little things in life, the ones that might cost time and work to achieve, but not much money. The energy spent in my garden generates more energy when I see how things thrive. The warmth I give my friends I get in return when I need it. The animals give me strength to get through the days just by being their furry selves. All my surplus is given to my family, and I get a jump start when the girls hug me before going to school.

I did try to be conventional. I had a carreer and lived the life everybody expected me to. But instead of getting a broken back, I got a broken mind. If I had listened to myself, cut down on the work time, spent more time outdoors... If-if-if. Well, reality gave me a bang on the head and I had no choice but to listen. Fortunately I was young enough to make an about-turn and literally stick my finger in the dirt. So now I aim to be myself, which is awfully hard work. I lost much of me along the way, and I'm still picking up the pieces. I've got a prescription for fresh air, exercise and rest, which suits me fine! And perhaps in a couple of years' time I'll have found all of me.

Last edited: Mon Nov 05, 2007 10:09 am

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Frank wrote on Mon Nov 05, 2007 10:23 am:

Droopy I too try to value the small things. I feel sorry for those that put a monetary value on happiness. The great thing about allowing yourself to be entertained by the simple stuff is that each day is full of them.

One of the wisest decisions I ever made was to start thinking with my gut. If something doesn't feel right then I avoid it. For example my gut said: "You shouldn't be working for somebody else, go it alone". So I listened, followed and as a result GardenStew was born.

I find great happiness in knowing that others find even a little bit of happiness by visiting GardenStew.

Biita wrote on Mon Nov 05, 2007 5:39 pm:

"clapping" very well said an written. I agree. Why do we have to run the great race, when all it does is run us into the ground. There is so much more to life than what most people can't or won't stop to see. I too ran that race for 15 yrs. only to be let down. Now i am still learning how to slow down, take my time, an trust also my gut. I took the leap of faith that my gut said to take an now more than ever, its the small things that matter the most. The excitement when i talk to my children on the phone. I don't remember that when i lived in the states. The startling beauty of just looking out the window and seeing whats in front of me, that i also don't remember in the states...so i say yes its time to slow down an enjoy all the things that really matter an not what the Jones expect of us. I can say a lot more but i'm running out of characters remaining. And Garden Stew was a great "gut" venture, Frank.

Droopy wrote on Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:44 pm:

Frank, thank you for following your gut. I believe it is important to give happiness to the people around me. Not stuff, but joy. You've certainly brought lots of people lots of joy.

Biita, I'm glad I'm not alone. Trying to achieve the big things, I lost sight of the small things. Other people can do that part. Somebody who likes doing it. If I try, later, I'll keep track of the small things too.

Frank wrote on Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:30 am:

>>> Frank, thank you for following your gut. I believe it is important to give happiness to the people around me. Not stuff, but joy. You've certainly brought lots of people lots of joy. <<<

Thank you Droopy and thank you for the thought-provoking entry.

SongofJoy57 wrote on Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:31 am:

Dearest Droopy,
I could not agree more with you. . .

glendann wrote on Wed Nov 07, 2007 4:02 am:

You tell it so well.I had to struggle long and hard to resign from my job.My gut said stop now but I had to think about it for 2 or 3 yrs before I did.It was slowly but surely killing me.I also thank you Frank for my little piece of Heaven
in the Stew.Jubabe brought me here and I have enjoyed it for about a year and a half.I never tried to keep up with the Jones but I do know what you mean.

Droopy wrote on Wed Nov 07, 2007 10:26 am:

The way I see it I'm happier than the Joneses. I have what I need, they think they haven't. I like stuff I can get attached to, and if the girls chip the table, that's just another little reminder of days past.