We have high expectations of our president-elect. Rightfully, he has high expectations of us. Barack Obama will not tell us to, “Sit back while I take care of business.”
On election night, he told us, “Our climb will be steep.”
Now is the time to take personal responsibility and design a cross-training program for that steep climb. What will we do in our everyday lives to train for that Kilimanjaro of change?
to heart during this upcoming season."
Why the Mt. Kilimanjaro metaphor? It is no ordinary mountain and no ordinary challenge. It is a long journey through six distinct ecosystems while tackling over 19,000 feet of gain. The climber must consistently acclimate through constantly changing terrain. We must be malleable and prepared to make smart and sensible judgments to reach our summit. We must check in with our team to ensure they are up to task. Troubles frequently escalate when a climbing team breaks up.
Personal change must happen in many venues now. But, with the holidays on our heels and our pocketbooks low, please start by taking my alias, Shopping Golightly, to heart during this upcoming season. The thrift store is one of the best places to do just that!
between necessity and luxury."
I fear most Americans cannot distinguish the difference between necessity and luxury. Somehow the meanings have been mixed and we are lost.
Who defines our personal necessities? Is it us? Or is it the ads piped through the television? We cannot continue to aspire for more and more possessions. That time has past. We must be sensible and thrifty in defining our necessities and translate that new definition through our shopping habits. This will fatten piggy banks across the country. What will you do with your newfound savings? A college education? A family home?
We must redefine luxury. No longer can it be equated with frivolous, expensive possessions, acquired to impress or fill an internal emptiness. Let’s put luxury on our own terms and make it match our values. Make it personal and meaningful, like time spent reading to our children; the cost of a book or a trip to the library and one of the most valuable things we have, time.
and make it match our values."
We have much to do and a have a long journey ahead. What is going to help us summit that peak? Leather seat warmers or a college education? Let’s just hope we get there before those majestic glaciers melt away. Barak Obama believes in us. Yes we can.
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3 comments:
I concur. I think it's funny how our definitions of luxury, value, worth are often defined by others. I'm not a big reader of Suzie Orman, but I know one great point of hers is we spend a lot of money on buying things to impress other people, and I think she's dead on.
Also, I find it amusing - that slightly raspy, intended to be both sexy and powerful voice on the Cadillac commercial where the woman's heel pushes on the gas while she says "when you turn your car on, does it return the favor?" Part of me loves that commercial (I want to meet that woman), but a bigger part internally shouts waste! - false idolatry! Basically, an inappropriate depiction of wealth and power. I think I prefer the power of hanging on to my own money for my own reasons.
Kudos, Thrifty Chick - great observations.
Thank you. Hang on to your money and spend invest it on your own terms. That woman in the car commercial you write of is probably selfish, demanding and high maintenance. Unless you think that sexy, I don't think you really want to hook up with her.
I really enjoyed your blog thanks for sharing
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