Yes it does!
This time my survival mode has to do with money. However, The Captain and I are not alone in this struggle . . . there is so much going on in the United States, and it is not good.
"If money be not thy servant, it will be thy master."
-- Francis Bacon
In what ways does money rule your life?
Money has entered so deeply into our lives that it can become our primary reference point. We make so many of our decisions based on how they affect the bottom line. Do you compromise things you really value for money? Has the power of money hurt your relationships, your health, your work or your self-respect?
"If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in his life."
-- Billy Graham
How do you think of money?
"Money is a highly charged subject. And most of the emotions people feel around it are negative: fear, shame, embarrassment, anger."
-- Jerrold Mundis
How do you feel about money?
Many of us are afraid of money. With this fear, we avoid dealing honestly and completely with our financial situation. We only have a vague idea of how much money we earn and spend, and even how much we owe. By refusing to accept financial responsibility, we sacrifice our chances for a better life.
"Choosing wealth as a goal requires facing everything about your money bravely, honestly, with courage -- which is a very, very hard thing for most of us to do. But it can be done."
-- Suze Orman
Prosperity depends more on wanting what you have than having what you want.
-- Geoffrey F. Abert
Since becoming a widow, I have contemplated the role of money in my life and the difference between wants and needs. Somehow I have always made it financially without changing my quality of life in a drastic way.
Like so many others living in the United States, our changing society and governmental rules have us concerned about our future and basic survival.
Although the country is experiencing a tremendous transformation, I still believe that prosperity is within reach for anyone who is innovative and willing to make sacrifices to get there. That is where The Captain and I have been . . . making sacrifices now for a prosperous future.
This week finds us somewhat backed up against the wall and having to make major decisions and more sacrifices . . . not resulting from a "want," but a very important "need" that I don't think anyone can live without. I consider this a major crisis like I have never encountered in my life and it has really made me think about the role of money in our lives, even if we live the "simple abundance life."
Yes, I am having an extremely difficult time having any semblance of peace and serenity at the moment, but so far, I have kept it together rather well. I pray that the current plan will work for us and be over with quickly . . . should we be that lucky. However, luck has escaped us lately.
Current events in government have collided with our dilemma this week and the news of so much devastating news regarding basic health care has really bothered me. Life changing decisions are being made in thousands or millions of households as we face our challenge. Their nightmare is not going to go away soon. Thank God Obamacare does not affect our lives . . . at least not at the moment.
Money has not ruled my life for a very long time . . . however, this latest event that most homeowners face has rudely made money a major part in the quality of our lives. Two major events for us within a month or so has been a definite wake up call.
Whether we want to admit it or not . . . money does rule. It is a necessary evil in my opinion.
"This too shall pass" for us . . .
but I worry about the thousands or millions
of my fellow citizens affected by decisions our
government is making.
How will it affect the quality of their lives?
Where will they turn?