I liked this topic on worrying for our looks and financials while getting older.
Once upon a time I hated getting older. I never liked having birthday cakes because they reminded me that one more year has passed. Perhaps this has to do with unaccomplished dreams or my image in the mirror where my wrinkles don’t get fewer but year after year deeper and more.
Also I am always worried that I won’t be able to live on my pension or potential savings once I am older. Post the crisis that took place since 2008 until recently (I still believe we have crisis in Greece) it is a wonder if someone can live on his own without relying on various state allowances.
Whether beautiful or ugly, whether rich or poor, over the years I have come to believe that beauty is inside us and we are wealthy in various ways: having friends, family, being happy, not living in war zones. Post my latest health problems that left me wondering if tomorrow ever comes, I welcome tomorrow when it comes.
It is corny I know. I don’t provide any new truth to the world. Just my truth. Wealth is being able to watch the sky in its full colors, hug a dear person, being able to spend time and laugh and communicate with loved ones, being able to enjoy a cultural performance, read a good book, swim, walk in nature, smell nature, smell the sea, travel. Beauty is inside us. Being forgiving, loving, providing advice, helping, enhancing the wellbeing of others. Not an easy task. We are here for some reason. One reason could be to help others.
I have thought – many times actually – of making some improvement to my looks – plastic surgery, botox and so on. And maybe I will. But these will not improve who I am. They will uplift my spirits for 5-10 minutes.
I have tried to create more sources of income to diversify financial crisis danger. Yes, a lottery would be more than welcome. But would it mean something if suddenly, I was left alone in the world with no one to share my wealth? Money is good if everyone around you is also good. If everyone is poor and you are rich, there is no joy. Having a nice car and a nice house surely is satisfying. But you have to have people around you to share. If money creates more problems than the ones it solves, then you have to re-think.
Money is the means. Not the purpose.