When I was growing up, I never had a dream of being anything. Never wanted to be a fireman or an astronaut, a teacher or a farmer. I actually was not very passionate about anything at all. Liked sports but never a fan, liked music but never cared who was playing. I would often ask myself, "What do I like?"
I wonder, is this personality trait why I never found my calling or never specialized? Most likely.
One thing that I would fantasize about though was living a life of luxury, the fast cars, mansions and all the things money could buy. I am from a relatively poor family and even though we never went hungry, there wasn't a lot of extras to be found. I think it is natural to overvalue what one doesn't have access to.
But, that was as a child and by a teenager, I was looking for a different kind of luxury, health. This was driven by some serious issues I was facing that at times put my future in jeopardy. I spent so many hours in bed alone in my own miserable thoughts that luxury would be enjoying the simple life of a teenager unhindered. To make the mistakes expected from a teenager.
Living in Finland for most of my adult life now, it has been back to a lot of financial struggles, not the entire time but, most of it but unlike the wants of a child, luxury for me now is just not having to worry about covering the simple things in life and having enough to splurge from time to time on my family, even myself occasionally.
Yes, it would be nice to be able to afford all of te bells and whistles but, I don't really care for those things. I don't care if my TV is new or if my laptop is the most powerful. Essentially, as long as it all does the job I need it to do. I wrote about one day getting an electric car and that is the same. A to B as efficiently and safely as possible would be enough.
Most of the world and especially the crypto world by industry definition, is driven by desires for luxury and people talk like a poor child dreaming of being a rich adult. They talk of mansions, islands and Lambos but if given the opportunity, how many would actually live that caricature of luxury?
For me, a simple life would still be enough without ostentatious excess. Trump can keep his gold plated everything, it is tacky, no matter the cost. I am not saying it would all be cheap, just simple. A house that looks out over water, a comfortable car in the garage and enough extra that I could choose how I spend my time. The more I had, the more work I would do to try and make this world a little better. Choosing what I work at is a luxury for me and it is what I work toward now.
Steemit is a place filled with all types so I was wondering; What is luxury to you?
Taraz
[ a Steemit original ]
You were a funny kid. You used to be content with not much at all, some colouring pencils and paper, a few building blocks or some toy cars. I actually still have some of your old toys stored away. We grew up with the ability to make our own fun and were fortunate enough to have enough creativity and imagination to do so. Would a kid who had everything have had a better youth than us? I'm not so sure. We valued what we had, and still do.
As adults I think little has changed. We both enjoy the simple things in life. I agree that maybe, through necessity, we have no choice but to live reasonably simple lives, however I very much doubt you or I would live vastly different lives were we to have large amounts of money behind us.
Material things have a value of course, however the value of experiences far outweighs the material in my opinion. The biggest diamond sitting in a locked safe may seem priceless* however simple times spent with your daughter sharing her life's journey will have infinitely more value later in life especially if you cannot re-live those moments in any other way but your own memory.
Since the first cognitive thought Homo Sapiens had we began hoarding things which is where greed took over. We needed more bear furs, more rock tools or spears...Fast forward to now and we do the same, constantly chasing more and when we achieve it lay it aside and set out in pursuit of the next thing. If only we were more like Neanderthals who had what they needed and were probably happier. The planet would rejoice also.
There seems to be no limit on the amount of useless crap we are able to gather.
Your brother @galenkp is a wise man, as you are. You are a better man than you give yourself credit for in many ways. Look forward to than family time
I grew up wanting to work for NASA. Never wanted to be an astronaut I like solid ground thank you veer much. Really loved math and science and I even applied to a couple of position at different locations. It never happened but it was a fun goal and dream to have for a number of years of my life.
As far as luxury I’ve not seen snow in over a decade! Most would consider that every winter a luxury of sorts.
I just want a few acres of land in the middle of nowhere with some mountain views and good places to go backpacking and hiking one day. I’m rather far from that goal finically and physical in enjoying such a location. Still something I slowly think about once in while. Fresh air, little to no elections. Don’t think it could get better than that as long as it had some amazing views and space to enjoy the outdoors.
I think most people are going let greed get the best of them in our cryptocurrency world. They see all that money with no self-control or delayed satiation. I fear many will be like large lotto winners the money will be gone almost as fast as they made it. Which is just a shame as they could have never needed to worry about money ever again in they hit it big.
I don't think about something as exclusive as mountain living but I've always wanted to be out of the city, maybe on the fringes of the city, somewhere where houses aren't stacked next to each other. Same as you getting to the point that in my life it probably isn't going to happen, I will be to old to want to be further out in a few more years. I did try and escape the city for a couple years, the place was perfect except for a couple things. Sat on ten acres of land, neighbors not to close, but it also sat on one of the busiest main thru ways. You couldn't open the windows it was so noisy from the traffic, you couldn't even sit on your porch and listen to yourself for all that mattered, the big highlight was on a Sunday night and maybe three minutes would go by without a car going by. During the week it was basically like living in the middle of the road. The house sat like thirty feet from the road, most the acreage was behind it. Not being able to open the windows was one of the factors I though contributed to mold that always grew on the window sills. I got to the point where I just cough all night long. So finally I gave up and moved back to my duplex, it was rougher than I though to trying to deal with two sets of tenants. The stuff they don't try getting away with when you aren't living next to them. lol. But yeah, something really simple like a small two bedroom house, really nice kitchen it had, beautiful cupboards, under counter lighting, spacious and hardwood floors through out but I guess that simple dream isn't going to be.
I’ve been very blessed to never live in a large city. In fact I try and avoided them like the plague. Way too much sound and people moving around at all hours of the day or night. I like to look up and see the stars at night and not have the blocked out by city lights.
I can more than understand the desire to have open windows. I get a nice cross breeze from two winds certain times of the year when it’s not too hot yet. Always nice to get some fresh air and hear the sounds of birds.
For me, cryptocurrencies are freedom. Yesterday, the Venezuelan government took over two major banks (the biggest and the 3rd, I believe, Banesco and BOD). They are going to take the 2nd biggest soon (Provincial), if the rumours are true. Yet, all my funds are unaffected and will stay unaffected as long as my investments are in cryptocurrencies.
For me, luxury will be when I'm earning at least 900 USD a month in a country where you only need 300 a month to live. That way, I will be able to save, buy a little car perhaps, get a loan to buy a little house or an apartment, perhaps travel abroad a few times. What I care the most about right now is being stable and safe, even though I haven't accomplished that fully. When I achieve that, perhaps I will change my mind and want more, but right now, that is what I view as luxury.
I had what sounds like a similar health experience to yours in my mid-twenties, and ever since then, luxury has been the ability to walk. Even almost fifteen years later I really haven't gotten over that. I had come to terms with the idea that I probably wasn't ever going to again, and after that unexpectedly changed I have never gone back to taking it for granted.
I have a lot of other luxuries in my life these days but that's the one that's most viscerally meaningful.
Poor health puts perspective on many things and I think those that experience it early and recover generally end up better off for it and have different views of the world. It is sad when the 'sickest' among us have the healthiest views of life. Perhaps one day we can learn the same lessons whilst healthy.
Hi Taraz. I was also from a poorish household and appreciate the small things which others just expect.
My ideal would be to live comfortably and not have to worry. Worry about the servicing of the car or normal things that just crop up and cost. i would like to think that one of these days I can go on a "yes" holiday and the word "no" is not used. A house overlooking the water would be nice but not essential. As long as I am happy and healthy and financially worry free I am content.
I think it is because I didn't grow up with much like others I knew .I don't expect Lambos and such things. They don't hold any place in my heart. If by some good fortune I do rather well which every one aims for maybe I can start stretching what I would like but it is not a must by any means.
What a great post. When people sit down and really think about what they want verses what they need, it really helps to define what kind of life you lead.
When you spoke about having a Tesla in a previous post, it made me laugh. Maybe someday renting one for a weekend might be possible. The truth is, the simplicity of a life where the bills are paid and the house paid for is pretty perfect. A nice area to spend some time out of doors, where we could have a little fire and watch the stars. Those are the things that make life good. The icing on top is being able to share what we have with other people helping to make their dreams come true.
🐓🐓
Luxury is something which gives me satisfaction and happiness, when money can buy happiness, use it.
Luxury, for me, is companionable silence; a new book; a long bath; a nature walk; a fine meal; and, above all, a stimulating idea for an essay or poem and taking the time/care needed to do it justice. 🙏🏼
I wonder what a world would look like if all had a chance to do similar across what they love.
World Peace 🌍 🕊
There is a part of me that really wants to be able to take a few years and travel the world. If being able to do this first class was possible that would be luxury. Renting nice homes, flying first class, and just enjoying all that each place we visit has to offer without worrying about money. This would be amazing.
I have always thought (when single) that if I had endless money I would travel a few years and work in various cafes getting to know the culture and people for 3 months at a time. Now, it would be to travel with family and find ways to improve things.
I have been talking to my Wife about the idea of spending 1-3 months in different places and then moving to a new place. She has major reservations about the idea of the kids being bounced around the world and about how to educate them as neither of us are good teachers. She also worries about their safety which is a fair concern. Don't know, but I do know that the last thing I want to do at 75 years old is look back on life and wonder why I never experienced different cultures of the world.
I also never had any idea of what I wanted to do in the future when I was still kid. As a matter of fact, I walked into university irritated with my dad for forcing English studies on me but when the time came to switch to law, I didn't. I think the form is somewhere in my father's house till date.
Luxury has always been a dream for me. Like you @tarazkp, I didn't grow up in the laps of luxury. We barely had enough to eat sometimes so I always consoled myself with the future being better.
After several years as an adult, after seeing the waste and the corrupting influence of having too much and still needing more, I find that my dreams have drastically changed.
A small flat, a car, a business that supports me and my family and I am good to go. I don't want the ostentatious life; it's too much trouble.
I wonder how much of the future being better keeps people going even though potentially hopeless.
And too much waste.
My father never encouraged a luxurious lifestyle, as a very stern veteran, he made sure to provide the necessities for his wife and children, when i was younger, i used to be the one that listened when every other peer were talking about what they got for Christmas and their birthdays, my father is not even a birthday type of person, life to him is luxury, he believed everyday alive is a special day and should be celebrated irrespective. This is how i have grown up, that didnt mean i did not have my cravings or desires, but because there was no room for it, i dropped them faster than i thought about them
Luxury to me is freedom, freedom to be able to express my creativity without boundaries. To know that i can be who i want to be and go where i love, and help who i can. Peace, being able to look up in the stars at night and cherish the beauty it beholds, these to me is luxury. And the fact that what i love to doing brings bread to my table is a lot of luxury for me
The freedom to work for me.
Luxury to me is being able to pay all my bills without having to worry about what would happen is my washing machine breaks down etc. To have some money on the side for a rainy day.
But, luxury is especially: living in a free country!!
It definitely is and it is something that a lot of people have no choice in unfortunately. If there is something that I hope crypto does it is to wrest power away from those who want to have power over others.
I think what you strive to and where you come from is a great place to be. I grew up in a simple home where we always had what we needed with the occasional nice holiday, but not extravagant, the value was in being together and the occasional simple luxuries.
My father came from money which we never saw as he denounced the family money after a fallout with his father who seemed to value money over the happiness of his children. Hence as I said before dad raised us to find more value in the real things in life.
I couldn't really see myself driving a SLR Mclaren regardless of my appreciation for what an engineering marvel it is, I would also have more appreciation for enough money invested to be able to live a simple, stress free life with enough time to share bonfire nights under the stars with good people. To taste foods in other countries and do enough traveling to be able to know and understand more about how the world ticks, the finer details.
Teach your daughter about the real valuables and share plenty of them with her and those who mean most to you. Have a great week ahead
If everyone had more of this in mind there are plenty of resources to allow for it. Too many want for too much without ever having enough.
Greed indeed is a destructive thing. Great to be part of online community with people that have good hearts and thoughts.
Luxury to me is pretty much the same things as to you. I consider time the most important luxury. I want to have mastery over how I spend my finite time in this world.
I find it incredible how much people waste while saying they never have enough.
Life is beautiful when you are able to live your fantasies, however they are called fantasies for a reason, traveling is one of my hobbies and it wouldn't hurt to be able to afford trips to see the world whilst still keeping things low. I guess the bitten line is live a simple life but comfortable.
That is life for you sir, I have the same experience with you when I was so young. Not knowing what to do. I can absolutely say most kids are faced with the same challenges. I'm happy if have made it at last. I always find your piece inspiring
Time.
This post made me ask myself "what do I live for?" This is what I been kept doing until now. 'I will be happy once I get it done. I might live better life once I get something' After I actually get it, I was just satisfied with the moment and doesn't last longer.
I got a meaningful conclusion from your post. I need to live for now with satisfaction with all of myself. Thank you for giving me this great motivation.
One should never wait for things to happen but work towards it in a good way even if it takes years. Wanting something can be very depressing if you stop and get depressed about not having it right away that can make people very unhappy. As a kid I was the same, not really wanted to be anything specials but had a lot of skills and was happy with everything. Now I am on that island and even that is not always paradise.
Good morning from me because now morning my country.
Thank you sir for share different type article.