It’s no secret that all of us as Americans live in culture where success is measured by money. We are programmed as children to work hard, get a good education and strive to make the highest paycheck that we can at the end of the day.
Lucky for me, I took myself out of the American equation and was completely disconnected from the states for over a year when I lived abroad in the Caribbean. When I decided to leave the islands and return to the mainland, I came back with more than just a good tan. I had new outlook on life and was determined to not let that fade away even when my tan disappeared.
I know what it’s like to have nothing and start over. I sold all of my belongings and chose to live a life that moment by moment and day by day I did all I could just to survive. I clearly remember the day when I chose to spend my last five dollars on food, not knowing when I would eat again. This was the first time in my life that I ever knew what it was like to be broke. From these experiences I learned that money comes and money goes and certainly does not buy you happiness. Although having money makes life a lot easier, I have to wonder — at what cost?
As I transitioned back into the whirlwind of life we live in the states, I longed for the quiet days on the island. So it was then that I decided that where I lived and what I had would never determine my state of mind. Although everyone else around me still seems be under the states’ spell I was finally breaking it and living a fuller and happier life accomplishing much more than I could ever imagine. So what’s the secret?
I think we would all agree that time is one of the precious assets we could ask for. Everyone wants more of it, especially to pursue our passions. Why does it seem that passion and happiness is that last thing on our “To-Do” list when it should be the first?
So just as the title of this article implies, I’ve learned to live with less and now I do have more. Instead of reaching towards a life that will buy me a lot of stuff I reach towards a life that fills me up with happiness.
Live the life you only dream about and start pursuing it today, little by little and step by step. Only you can create the change in your life you’re looking for.
