“I don’t want it all – I just want a really nice piece of it!”
~ movie “The Women”
I laughed when I heard the character in the movie say she just wanted a really nice piece of it because, of course, it’s true for me. I mean no disrespect to those who do want the private jet and the mansion in the city and the summer estate, but, really; those things don’t make my list.
What does make my list?
- Family; Team Gosselin doing things together
- Health and vigor
- Peace of mind
- Work that fulfills me and supports me
- Time to write – something worthwhile to write about
- The joy of community-building
- Summer vacation – peace and quiet – and rest
- Trips to faraway places
- Challenges, new things to learn
- Friends to share the journey
- Eventually, grandchildren to laugh with and hug
Maybe I do want it all. It depends on what your definition of “all” is. And what if your list of wants is short. Does that mean your presumed path to having it all is shorter and therefore you get to “happy” or “fulfillment” sooner than someone whose list is longer? What if you only want one thing, and you already have it. Does that mean you already have it all?
Do you want it all? What’s on your list?
photo credit: Schnaars
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Great question Lori - and I think you nailed it when you say "it depends on your definition of all."
For me, "all" is synonymous with a feeling of "completeness" - one which I can choose to feel when recognizing the amazing entirety that already is my life without the need for anything outside myself.
That said, there is a beautiful paradox in manifestation that allows us to be creators of MORE while being content with WHAT IS. To me, the "contentedness with what is" is what ground me and brings me peace in the now...and the pursuit of goals and "creation of what will be" is the fuel that keeps me growing in this life!
@Sabrina at MyMiBoSo That is a paradox Sabrina! Think about it - you really do have to be happy with what you have and have only a passing thought of what you still want in order to manifest it..
""all" is synonymous with a feeling of "completeness" - one which I can choose to feel when recognizing the amazing entirety that already is my life without the need for anything outside myself." - that's beautiful!
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Hi Lori, Chasing riches often blinds us to the truly valuable things in life.
There's nothing wrong with being ambitious and going for it all in life; but not at the expense of your health, or the health of the relationships that enrich your life...
With age come wisdom and the ability to understand what the truly valuable things in life are... And they were right in front of you the whole time. The meaningful things in life are often over-looked until it's too late…
Quite honestly, with youth comes shallowness... Depth develops over time as a result of experience and dealing with sorrows, pain & disappointment. That puts us in the position of experiencing & enjoying the simpler things in life, like being above ground…
Love, fulfillment, wholeness, wisdom, understanding, knowledge and a host of other things money can't buy are true treasures of life. And hopefully if I can help enough people get what they want in life, my financial future will take care of itself.
Lovely post, miss : )
@Mark_Harai So true Mark. In this as in all things there needs to be balance and maybe that only comes with maturity and experience. Do we live our lives backwards? we're like crazy playful cats, not taking anything seriously and jeapoardizing the furniture until we've become more mature and settled down. But it's all part of it, right? We wouldn't appreciate what's valuable in life if we hadn't squandered time and energy on things which aren't.
Health and relationships matter above all else. There are two good things that need to be on the list, right? Live and learn ;-)
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Oh all of the things on your list sound exactly like my wants. And I say 'why not want it all?' Let's enjoy this great journey with all of its beautiful gifts! Great post!
I second your "why not?" Suzie! Do you think we're limited only by our imaginations? Sure, you don't need to private jet to be happy (I don't) but imagine having enough money to buy one and then deciding not to. That would be fun too! :-)
Welcome to Life, for instance Suzie!
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Good morning @Lori ! Many people are sharing that their list of wants has changed over the years and I would have to agree with that as well! I am definitely not at all as materialistic as I was when I was younger. Like @JimK, a few friends and some laughter is important to me. Like @Mary Stephenson I would LOVE to be totally out of debt and have zero money worries ever again. My home needs are much different now...I just want my home to be cozy and welcoming and with just enough room to offer guests a place to lay their head after a lovely visit. Like @Rileyhar freedom is a gift that I would never want to give up....freedom to make choices. And I still want and truly love the journey involved in this want, a strong sense of well being and internal peace and happiness so that I can share that gift with my world.
Thank you for a thought provoking post today Lori....very beautiful!
xoxo
Claudia
Hi Lori
Up until just over 12 months ago, my list was quite a lot different.
Since I gave up work to look after the kids, it now centres on my family.
@timbo1973 Hi Tim,
If I had to choose just one thing on my list and give up all the rest, it would be family. If you have your family, you have everything!
Welcome to Life, for instance!
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Hi Lori, it never occurred to me that I needed so much. A few friends and some laughter would be enough. I would like to have a home overlooking Lake Ontario and a sailboat. The sailboat should have a cabin should I choose to drop anchor and spend the night on the water. And maybe some fishing, kinda like Earnest Heminway's, "The Old Man nd the Sea" Although, the fish need not be so grand.
@JimK Hi Jim, this made me laugh, "The sailboat should have a cabin " I could see it going on and on and on :-)
The happy person is the one who has what they want and appreciates it and knows it. Maybe we should all look around our lives and use that to construct the list.
Nice to see you! Are you in cold country? And what do you have to say about +11 yesterday and -11 today - anything ;-)
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@Lori Yeah, one day we set a new record high maximum temperature of 14C, the next day -10C. What can I say, Lots of warm moist air from the south, followed by cold frontal passage giving northerly winds. Add one new winter coat to my list after my sailboat. lol
Hi Lori
My list over the years has changed. Right now I would just like to be totally out of debt, have my dream house on a nice chunk of land up in northern California. When I hear about people doing things or the such I would just like to be able to afford, but not necessarily do what they are doing. Freedom of choice. Just want to be out of the city and have a place with some peace and quiet.
Happy is irrelevant to what I have or not have...I would just be more content with a fulfilled wish list. Happy is on the inside.
A fun post.
Mary
@Mary Stephenson Hi Mayr,
I agree with you that happiness shouldn't be attached to things but here's something that is fun - having a list and anticipating the acquisition of things on it!
That's a great item on your list - be be able to afford whatever you want, whether or not you actually go and buy it! I'm adding that to my list ;-)
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Hi Lori,
I remember this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pm4fQRl72k. I think my material list does not have a big house though a comfortable house would do . Also I would like to buy a different car than I currently have. Actually I don't have much on the list only a few small thing that keeps me happy :). A really small list for me then .
@blogaks That's a great song Ashvini! A short list? Does that mean you get to happy before people with long lists? ;-) I'm all for a comfortable house (I have one!) so I'm always amazed at how I can be so happy on a camping trip when everything I really need is in a suitcase or a backpack! I guess there is more to do at home, so you need more space for doing it.
What kind of car is on your list?
@Lori Actually I already have a car that I like ( Honda City) but maybe a upgrade to higher versions would be nice ;). I really have a very small list but who knows I might spot something that will make it to the list .
To your list Lori, I would add 2 homes. I would love to be able to live where it is warm (very warm) year round. 2 homes would fit that bill rather nicely. In case you're wondering -- one here in Arizona and the other a bit farther south. Maybe Australia where they are having summer right now.
@Yvonne Root Two homes, nice Yvonne! So you'd hop from summer to summer! I wonder what it would be like moving twice a year like that. I bet the change would be therapeutic!
"What one thing would you never remove from your list?" Well although not technically on the list it's certainly implied and that would be freedom. The hard thing for me is nailing down the specifics (what kind of work to do, what to write, where to go on vacation etc.). As they say, the devil is in the detail. All I know is that time is too valuable to waste on doing things you really don't want to do.
Well I now know what I want out of life. Thanks so much Lori I'll just copy your excellent list, no need to reinvent the wheel lol,
Riley
@Rileyhar You like my list? Aw!
Do you think people with shorter lists are happier Riley? What one thing would you never remove from your list?
I definitely want it all - all that's on my list, of course :-)
@razwanawahid Hey Raz. :-) Oops. Just noticed Lori asked what's on your list :D
@razwanawahid What's on your list Razwana?
@Lori Lots of family time and lots of fun. I have money/wealth goals that are more specific, but I've come to realise that I value my time with people the most - so creating more of this is makes me happy for sure.
Would I be a copycat if I reproduced your list? :-) I would add that I would focus on working with the welfare homes I support. Even being half a millionaire would be fine for that particular goal :D
Love your list - mine is very similar Lori. Hugs!
@Vidya Sury Ah, charity work! Yes, I want to add that too though I'm not completely sure in which area. I'll have to give that some thought.
Half a millionaire? Funny, that's over 41,000 a month. Imagine the possibilities with that.
@Lori I did. In US Dollars :D Because that means a lot where I live :D