Week 11 Always act as if the future of the universe depends on what you do next, while laughing at yourself for thinking that you can make a difference. - Buddhist saying

The focus of my reading this week has been on ---hmm --- our attitudes as well as whether, as entrepreneurs, we are job seekers, or something more.

As for me I never in my life wanted a job. I am grateful to my husband for fulfilling that desire. I did babysit in my younger years in order to have pocket money. That is generally a young girl's first entrepreneurial endeavor and it is something that is always available. But it is not a calling in life for most.

From lesson material provided by the Acton Foundation - Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness ( A Cautionary Tale)  I really like the descriptions given, it speaks about those times when you lose all sense of time because you are "in the flow." From there a person can develop mastery over something they love, but the ultimate goal in life is to participate in your own Hero's Journey. In part it states:

   From Flow to the Mastery of a Discipline to a Hero’s Journey when it comes to work, you can choose a job, a career or a calling.

  A job is something you do from 9 to 5 to pay the bills, as a way of affording the necessities of life and an occasional pleasure once the workday has ended. People with jobs watch the clock, waiting for 5 PM to arrive.

   A career is a climb up a predetermined ladder to success at the top. People with careers work long hours for the promise of money, power and security to come. All too often they arrive only to find that it really is lonely at the top.

   A calling is finding that special place where your most precious gifts allow you to do something you love, in service to others, in a way that changes the world. People with callings say: “Thank God it’s Friday so I can work the next two days without interruption.”

​   Long-term studies show those who are most fulfilled sequentially mastered a series of important life tasks.  Consistent goals and investments of psychic energy lead to a coherent self. (Acton Foundation)

Even less than a job, the thought of a career sounds horrific for me. But a calling? Yes many things call to me, choosing the one that gives the greatest satisfaction and one I am willing to put effort into is where I am at.

I dreamed for years of owning an ice cream truck, not for the money but just because it seemed so wonderful. I did think it would be possible to make a profit if done well, but I always had too many little kids to take care of that I could not devote time to it. So I never pursued it. . .

I still dream of owning a miniature golf course, with my coveted ice cream store. If I ever had a million dollars and more I would love to develop good, clean, affordable homes and neighborhoods. I would also like to go to old nearly abandoned small towns and revive them with those decent affordable homes. Now that would be a calling  AND it would take much effort, but it would give me the greatest satisfaction.

But I am a dreamer without the boldness it takes to do that. But I can write and inspire others. I do not particularly like writing editorials, but when filled with a passion for something it  becomes much easier.

I enjoy writing stories and novels, it is a simple thing and something I can pour my whole self into. It may never bring money, but it gives my life meaning. For now that is sufficient.

That said, another part of the reading material states:

   We will all experience serious adversity. None of us would seek it, but it is a part of life. Plus, heroes need dragons to slay. Adversity exposes true friends. It changes our focus to the present. Along the journey, learn to embrace mistakes and adversity. Take more chances and suffer more defeats. Extend yourself. Long-term research on aging shows that you are far more likely to regret what you have not done, than to regret your errors and mistakes. You are much stronger and tougher than you think. We fear most what we never experience. Embrace adversity as a lesson in humility. Use it to remind yourself to be grateful for what you have.

   Prepare for adversity in advance. Hone your skills. Invest in loving relationships. Practice gratitude and reflection. Connect regularly to the transcendent. Then you will be prepared to be transformed by adversity instead of crushed by it. (Acton Foundation)

Ha, so that challenges me to go after that other dream . . .

And yikes they threw a curveball and asked me to read an extra article and comment on it...
 Concerning my attitude on money. I think money is nice. It does allow for a certain degree of comfort which allows happiness to thrive. I am not fixated on it. I spend it so it does mean my husband is fixated on having "enough."


How can my view of money affect the way I live? I have generally lived frugally. I had used credit cards for Christmas and birthdays. But we got rid of credit cards 13 years ago. Debit cards are great. But sadly the more money we make the more I spend. I do need to cut back...doing so would make my husband happier.

 S.W. Gibson said:
 1)  Money is not evil.
 2) Money has great power
 3) The possession of excess Money often reveals or exposes what kind of a person the individual is
 4) Money makes good men better, but on the other hand it usually makes bad men worse.

We are blessed and prosper when we are more giving with what we have.

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