I am completely disenchanted with the American ideal of getting ahead at others costs. "Always look out for No. 1" and all that nonsense...
I hope that I one day have the sense and bravery to have a job that truly helps others, and not just myself, even if I sacrifice the finer the things in life.
I hope I don't get completely wrapped up in the idea of security and savings. Those thing you can't take with you.
Just a thought...
AGREED.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started volunteering my friends would ask me "why, you aren't getting paid". It just made me pity them.
ReplyDeleteLike John Lennon sang in "The Ballad of John and Yoko" - last night the wife said, oh, boy when you're dead, you don't take nothing with you but your soul...think!
ReplyDeleteI've always had those thoughts, especially when I'm out of the country.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure my caring and generous nature will be my undoing, since there are about 20 people I put before "Number 1," but I wouldn't have it any other way.
ReplyDeleteFor example, if you or any other of the close circle of blogfriends were in trouble, I'd be there as soon as I could, regardless of the cost.
i know where you're coming from. and i often think the same things and then i have to stop off for gas and that security is quite nice. giving up the finer things ... does that mean no ipod? don't know if i could make it. :)
ReplyDeletefirst off, I don't think that's an American ideal.
ReplyDeletesecondly, that feeling will pass, Ashley.
I wanna go to Italy!
ReplyDeleteMatt--
ReplyDeleteIdeal was the wrong word choice. However, achieving the ideal of prosperity is often attained at other costs. Not that this doesn't happen in other countries, but it's sure to happen A LOT in the "Most Powerful" nation.
And I don't want my feelings to change on this matter...I never want money to have that kind of control on me.