Over the course of the past year various people have asked me either directly or in camouflaged fashion if I have made enough money to not work for the rest of my life? To which I have often responded by rhetorically asking: how much is enough? A couple of people have graciously volunteered their magic number for retirement. One said if she had US$2 Mil in the bank, she would retire. Another offered the $5 Mil figure. The thought that we need to have millions of dollars saved up before we can retire was never a consideration when I left Wall Street. Getting my sleep back, my sanity back, and my life back, were the dominant considerations.
The answer is the law of relativity. It is a response predicated on relative to whom, relative to what type of life style, and relative to whose expectation.
Relative to someone who lives in a remote mining town in China breaking his back earning US$1 a day hauling coal, I am sure I have made enough. Relative to Bill Gates who made millions per minute just by brushing his teeth (well, at the height of the bull market anyway), I am sure I have not. Relative to someone living in a hut in Ghana, I am certain that I lead a life of opulence. Relative to Donald Trump, no doubt I live the life of a pauper. Relative to my dearest family and friends' expectation, I don't think they question whether I made enough or not, they will just be happy for me. Relative to my worst enemies' expectation, my disposition will keep them guessing but it wouldn't surprise me if they pray that I show up homeless one day! Finally, relative to my own expectation, of which I had none since I lack the mental acuity to set a price on freedom, I can only proclaim that I am at the happiest, most carefree and stress-free junction of my life, and that is PRICELESS and more than enough!
Till I reenter the world of doing something that requires heavy mental lifting, I am simply going to enjoy each precious moment of freedom and not worry about if I have made enough money or not. Money earned is meant to be spent. And I will spend it on acquiring great memories, not on toys. I am reminded that "he who dies with the most toys is nonetheless still dead"!
CARPE DIEM!
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beyond inspiration
4 hours ago
3 comments:
I think what you're doing is awsome. Reflecting on your past and thinking about your future. Simply taking a break. Not many people have the courage to even think about what you are doing, and I bet many of them have more savings than you. Maybe? It is all relative...happiness is all relative. Everyone can be happy, even the beggars on the street.
So have a wonderful time enjoying the sun. I am sure when you are ready to tackle the world again, you will be even more successful than you were before.
Kisoo
Kisoo: Thanks for your kind words. I went from initialy feeling guilty for taking a break to now wondering if I can reassimilate back into a society where one feels accomplished only by constantly running on a treadmill. My goal is that when I am ready to tackle the world again, I will strike a balance between work/life and have a new found appreciation for the little things that matter.
Well said... agree with almost all of it ...however would rather chat offline (fb chat perhaps ?) on the subject & related issues ....the question has plagued me often especially now that I am at the home stretch !
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