On Changing Perspective

[weed out the desires] so that you can live most agreeably in a world full of an increasing number of disagreeable surprises"
M.F.K. Fisher

A few months ago, I picked myself up a copy of Simply Abundance. I actually didn't even buy it - I picked it up from my mother's closet (she wasn't reading it anyways).

To be honest, I wasn't quite sure what to expect, especially because I'm fairly certain my mother and I have never both read the same book, ever.

I'm awful with books that you have to read everyday. Setting new routines in my life has never panned out very well for me, so reading before bed usually only happens on weekends or when I'm feeling under the weather. After a few days of being home sick from work, the book caught my eye and I figured I'd give it another chance. At least I could read a few days' worth while I was stuck on the couch.

I've been known to mention how perfectly the universe throws things at us (I say us because I'm sure I am not the only one who experiences this). Moving right along, however, leads me to the moral learned today.

Money shouldn't bring us down.

Yes, I realize not everyone has a plethora of money (myself included, remember), but here's the kicker - we actually don't need everything we think we do.

Take the example of M.K.F. Fisher, for example. An exquisite food writer from the 1940's, Fisher actually lived below the poverty line. Unbelievably enough, she lived a simply abundant life. One would have to question how this was possible, especially taking into consideration the lean economic times she lived through.

I started to consider how my perspective on life would be altered if (during times of financial hardship) I simply tossed out my desires, and focused only on the simple pleasures available to us.

To look forward to a sunset with the same exuberance as you would a vacation?

To value a glass of champange as much as you would a new piece of clothing?

Or to love a vase of fresh flowers as much as you would a night on the town?

Even though this perspective wasn't new to me (in fact I've been hearing different variations of this perspective for years now) there was something about the examples that really rung true to me.

I often find it difficult to come to terms with my inability to splurge on expensive things, and allow it to lower my own feelings of self worth or downplay my accomplishments.

When really, how much you have to spend should never impact how you feel about yourself. In fact, it really isn't about the money at all.

It's all about your perspective on where you find joy.

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