Learn to control money but do not allow it to control you

Money_Fritter

Ahhh I see, I am just a boring Dr of Organic Chemistry. lol


Money Fritter

Firewalker

Money_Fritter wrote: »

Ahhh I see, I am just a boring Dr of Organic Chemistry. lol


Money Fritter

Organic Chemistry is fine (my son used to say that I am a Dr who can't make people better). Any Nobel Prizes? These people here get at least one evry year.

FW

Firewalker

I am tempted to say that I did not sleep at all last night but this will probably be wrong – anyway had a very restless night. After the high of yesterday and the visit to this wonderful place I think that loneliness is finally getting me and that I am starting to feel really down. Good thing I am going back tomorrow.

It always catches me out this thing where I go somewhere and the whole adventure starts like ‘a happy solitude’ just to turn into ‘a miserable loneliness’. No I am not depressed but I am certainly feeling down. Exercise is not an option either – running outside is out of the question (it is about 35C and humid) and running in the gym is OK but not very cheering. I want a conversation that goes beyond ‘could you order me a taxi please’, I need the warmth of my Little Boy, I need the calmness of OH, I need the discussions with my group and students…

This hit yesterday after dinner; I was sitting in my room, feeling life go by…Not much to do about anything from here and although I have been writing I need some more action. This got me thinking about stuff, you know…and I really, really want what I have taken to calling ‘negative wealth’ gone…the sooner the better. And I did something that five months ago you would have not caught me dead doing…I wrote a long letter to the Universe. In this letter I explained that I do realize that my troubles are trivial compared to wars and famine, floods and earthquakes; my troubles are probably trivial even compared to some of the stories on the forum. But my troubles are still troubles…

What I have come to realize is that I relish the crisis – it has been and is transforming me into what I was probably always meant to become: someone who does not fight things but dances with them; someone who does not shun competition but finds cooperation to be a more potent force; someone who builds and creates, someone who gives and mentors. In this letter I did not ‘order from the menu of the Universe’ – I don’t believe in this. But I asked the Universe for guidance and support on the way to what I really want to achieve and the person I really want to be – the effort and work will come from me.

I have to stop now, I am getting really upset. Can’t wait till tomorrow – this has been too long.

“Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” - St. Francis of Assisi

Firewalker

Money_Fritter

Arrrrr,

Don't be upset Firewalker, you will be with family again soon. On my backpacking excursion, I did get lonely sometimes, but I had so much to see and do, I just felt honoured to be getting the chance to see all the wonderful places I visited.

As for the Nobel prizes, nah not a chance, I am clever, but not that clever.

:rotfl:

Money Fritter

Money_Fritter

By the way you did get a mention in my travel blog. I also read hector and the search for happiness after you recommended it, I thought it was great.

Money Fritter

Firewalker

Money_Fritter wrote: »

By the way you did get a mention in my travel blog. I also read hector and the search for happiness after you recommended it, I thought it was great.

Money Fritter

Glad you liked Hector. I would love to read you travel blog but where can I find a reference to it?

As to clever and the Nobel - you never know. I am still looking at the Literature one. Well B. Russell did...

Firewalker

Money_Fritter

My blog is http://garethineurope.blogspot.com

There are a couple of funny bits that will make you laugh, but most of it is just the ramblings of a mad man. lol

I have some pictures on there as well.

Enjoy

Money Fritter

savingwannabe

Dont get distressed Firewalker. Remember Desiderata? Whenever it gets too much i run for this!!! Money Fritter may i look too?

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata

Money_Fritter

Savingwannabe feel free to have a look.

Money Fritter

Firewalker

As Scarlet O’Hara said ‘Today is another day.’ Do I feel happy? No! Do I feel cheerful? Probably not! Do I feel positive? Lord, yes!

Last night I did realise that all my life I have been having a rather perverted vision of my-self; not only about the things that I do but also about the things that I am. Without going into too much detail (bores me to death, detail does) I realised that I don’t like, love or trust myself too much. Hence, I love people (what better way to test this than be on your own for a week; you find you strike meaningful conversations in the lift – you love people) but don’t really trust they will love me back. Because our natural state is to avoid suffering and pain, I have always surrounded myself with a bubble of solitude. Writing the letter made me realise that I am not that person, that touching lives and making them better is what I probably value most. Making lives better emotionally, spiritually, intellectually and materially. There are two kinds of people who do that – priests and public intellectuals. And I don’t really want to be a priest.

I had a lovely letter from OH today as well – I am so grateful for him and that I have my best fried back.

Now about practicalities. I’ll be home on Sunday lunch time and am I looking forward to sleeping in my bed, on my pillow etc. But it is not to be – we will have to camp in the guest room because early on Monday work is starting on bathroom one. We are doing two bathrooms so this whole thing will go on for two weeks. Good news is that OH managed to buy all that is needed – and very good stuff at that – for about £1,500. We/he did what William advised – we went to a shop and looked and then started searching the web. There were several changes of plan – I wanted panels in the shower (a large enclosure things it will be) but changed to stunning tiles (apparently the panels don’t age well, we were told). Also we intended to do only a recovery job in bathroom two but will end up doing it properly as well. And of course I can’t wait to be rid of the holes in the kitchen ceiling. The whole thing will cost under £8,000 and we have the money. Some might say that it would have been better to pay this off the negative wealth – we discussed and decided that how we live is important. Also if one think in terms of increasing one’s personal wealth spending £10,000 on the house (including painting it outside) probably increased its value by about £35,000. Anyway, this is decided and done.

Also I have just done my finances for the week and I have been so MSE, I can’t believe it. Crafty, Firewalker! Let me first say that I am on expenses (per diem) – about $92 per day. Till now I have spent $170 – this is since last Saturday. My spending is mainly on water and touristy things. I did a lot – the thing is that most museums in this city are free; after I bought a bus tour ($35 for two days) I was fine as a tourist. I have spent very little on food – remember my analysis of wants showed that I don’t care much about food. This and being on my own made it possible. I ordered in couple of times – one portion was enough for two meals. There was also what I call the ‘soup kitchen’ but in effect is very nice touch from the hotel – every evening between Monday and Thursday they provide Italian style dinner for free. I think they were aware that the hotel although close to Union station is out of the way, there are no places to eat (excluding McDonalds) and people are tired in the evening.

Now packing can’t be delayed – 15 minutes like a mad thing.

I really liked this one:

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou

Firewalker