Oh the joy of temporal limitations.  I have a job.  You probably do to.  And if you don't, you're in school, or looking for one -- or maybe you're passed that stage in life.  I haven't. 

I go to work five days a week to make money to support my family.  I don't go to work two days a week so that I can maintain my crazy schedule of work on the other five days of the week -- as well as keep up with (that is: almost keep up with) my personal business.  It's crazy.  PERIOD.

I haven't spent all my live-long days in this beautiful American rat-race.  No, I spent a number of years in my childhood and young-adulthood enjoying a much more laid back Asian culture where I could run around like a chicken with my head cut off and actually get ahead of everyone else because they WERE NOT running around like chickens with their heads cut off.  I still think they won.

Back to Amerigo's country...

The advantage here is that we're all just as crazy-busy as everybody else, so there are very few relaxed people who we need to worry about getting ahead of us.  Of course none of us really recognize this, and so we keep running around because we think the other people running around ar actually getting somewhere.  We think we're the only ones that aren't quite making it.

I suppose I'm getting to corporate.  This is my perception.

I wonder what would happen if I changed my life philosophy and let a lot of my concerns go?  (Whether or not I could actually change it is another question.)   Would I really become a pauper?  Is being poor such a bad thing?

If I spend my life preparing for old age, have I wasted my life?

I work in a retirement community with various housing options.  I can't be sure, but the people in government subsidized housing seem to be happier than the folks who can afford and do live in much nicer appartments.

If I give myself to others today and have nothing for myself tomorrow, have I lost or gained?  I've never lived life before.  I don't have experience from beginning to end!  But, it does seem like the people who gave and then had none for themselves are the happier souls -- the ones that are fondly remembered.

And I suppose this might be the beast that it comes down to; am I merely looking for a way to be fondly remembered?

So what can I give?  Will I be selfish either way?  Perhaps -- but would I be happy either way?

If I let myself be wanting
would I find myself seeking
what is truly satisfying
in the face of poverty

Oh, to loose all that I might gain!  Any tips?