I read an article by Chuck Blakeman about the time, money, and energy conundrum. Essentially he says (I’m not entirely sure this was his original idea, but I haven’t seen a source elsewhere) that when you’re young, you have time and energy, but no money. So you use that time and energy to accumulate money. Then when you’re older, you have time and money, but you lack the energy to enjoy the money you’ve accumulated.
Jacob from The Bulb Culture mentioned in a post yesterday that people are like lions in a cage, the cage being society, or at least society’s rules and preconceptions. They stay in that cage because it’s comfortable and safe. That’s fine for some people. Probably the majority of people. But for those who don’t want that…you can have all three: time, money, and energy.
What this takes is the willingness to break out of that cage, to think about the things around you in a way that is orthogonal to the normal way of thinking, to consume knowledge and learn about other people’s experience, and then to apply those new ways of thinking and the knowledge you’ve acquired.
So who are you? Are you one of those people who accepts the idea that you need to use up all of your energy earning money that you won’t be able to enjoy fully? Or do you understand that there’s a status quo acting in your life, and that you are the only one who can decide to go against that and make a change?
The way I see it, there are three kinds of people in the world:
1) People who don’t realize they want improvement (ignorance)
2) People who want a change and say they’ll make one but never do (complacency)
3) People who understand they are the only ones responsible for their lives, and DO make that change (success)
It does raise an interesting question though…that first category, can you consider them successful? Maybe they’re just happy with what they have…I guess it depends on how you define success. What do you think?
Irrational Living 
I can’t spend money in death, so I will not die chasing it. My energy comes and goes, by the time I realize i am fatigued I have been moving for hours. So, I will promote Love, allowing my time to become my money which energies me. I am complacent in where I am because I will spend the rest of my life challenging negativity to convert to positivity.
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I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. I think ignorance is the only place there’s a problem. This is a great way to deal with the conundrum. Thanks for sharing 🙂 I’d like to hear more of your thoughts, because it’s always good to have conversations with people who oppose what you think. Do your posts address this issue? If not, email me? Irrationallivingllc@gmail.com. Maybe we can bounce some ideas off of each other.
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I believe in like minds, disagreeing to create a common ground. Action can only take place in straight lines. I do however agree that when a person doesn’t agree they should challenge the point/prospective. What do you mean by does my post address this issue, if not email you???? I need clarity on that….but we should build a community of thought from blog to blog….i Love intellects
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Yes I agree. I haven’t had time to check out your blog in depth, so I was wondering if your posts are about those kinds of ideas. Just looking for a platform to discuss, and want to hear your thoughts and ideas. But yea I agree, that’s what I love about reading other’s blogs. You always get new perspectives.
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Yes, my ideals are on display on my blog. We will definitely be in touch because I enjoy great discussions also. The wisest man can always strengthen their widsom by understanding another prospective.
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Couldn’t agree more!
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I think you hit the nail right on the head Dan, it all comes down to how one defines success. I posted a story not to long ago about the American Dream Fallacy, that in many ways addresses the idea of success. If anything it always makes me consider why I am doing things the way I am doing them. Here is the post if you are interested. https://zackshier.wordpress.com/2015/01/10/the-american-dream-fallacy/
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Thanks, Zack, I really appreciate that. I just read that story…really fascinating. I’m going to reblog that. I’ve been thinking about the American dream a lot lately, especially in relation to inward happiness. Even the words, “the American dream” suggest that this idea of success is not individualized. It’s just another part of the status quo. The story is a great response to that…why spend so much time working toward happiness if that happiness is really something attainable at any level? It’s a question I struggle with quite a bit…progression and growth vs. inward happiness. They seem to be at odds a lot of the time, at least in my opinion. Awesome story, thanks for sharing.
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Glad it hear it! It sounds as though that story was as illuminating to you as it was me. I think we have to redefine “the dream” in many ways and recognize that it is a systemic problem in societal thinking and effort. The dream hasn’t actualized for many, not because they haven’t given it there all but because the structure of the dream is flawed. Hard work – success – rest/happiness/freedom is fatal because this end just that a fantastical state of euphoria not a realistic grasp on fulfillment and joy in the day-to-day participation in societal life. That’s a bit of philosophical rant but hopeful my point comes across.
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Yes, it absolutely does. And I agree. I think in a lot of ways (and perhaps this is why “success” is so seldom found) you have to be happy with where you are and with what you’re doing in order to move beyond that. If you can be happy with what you have while you simultaneously progress (in terms or knowledge or relationships or productivity or whatever), then I think happiness is possible. It’s a weird balance between complacency and non-complacency. Maybe that’s why it seems so distant and impossible for people to reach.
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Well put. I agree and appreciate you putting it much more practical and accessible terms. It’s definitely hard to find that complacent/non complacent posture, I would almost think of it as having the courage to go after goals without being concerned with result and other things you can’t control. Failure while trying is ok. Failure to try is not. Thanks!
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Ah yes, very good way to put it! I really like that.
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