What If Money Was No Object?

[AB Editor]

Source: http://www.brainpicki...no-object-alan-watts/

"British philosopher and writer Alan Watts (1915-1973), author of the cult-classic The Way of Zen, played a key role in popularizing Eastern philosophy in the West, like John Cage had done, in the middle of the 20th century. In this short remix video, a fine complement to this omnibus of wisdom on how to find your purpose and do what you love, Watts asks the seemingly simple question of what you would do if money were no object:"

[AB Editor]

"It's all retch and no vomit"

[AB Editor]

Should have been the question title actually...

Anyone feel they've done this with their life?

[LazyGun]

I think that those who can honestly say, hand on heart, that they are following living their dream are very few and far between.

And for me, parts of my career have very definitely been doing something I do not like, in order to get money to live and survive to carry on doing stuff I do not like. Other parts have been a hoot, and very much in keeping with what I would have wished to do when younger.

There was a study, some while ago now, conducted about vocations and careers. A class of 14 year olds were asked what they dreamed of doing, and you got the usual wide range- writer, astronaut, train driver, pilot,business tycoon, singer, actor etcetc.

That same class was followed up some 20 years later, and asked to describe their vocation - and of the respondents, 40% worked in careers defined as sales, or sales -related - A career path not mentioned once at the original time of asking.

Were I able to turn back time, I think I would have chosen a very different career trajectory....

[wildwood]

If money is no object to what you wish to do, then money would have no value. To go anywhere by other than walking would involve a mode of transport that involves a trading commodity such as money to manufacture, distribute, retail and purchase.

So living your dream is a pipe dream. I'd like to say that everyone could live in Utopia but that is just not a reality.

[rojash]

I think you are missing the point wildwood. Most people assume that in order to do whatever would make them feel fulfilled first requires that they earn a lot of money - they focus on earning money in order to do what they want, without ever deciding what it is that they want.

When I decided to leave the rat race, I ended up earning one tenth of my accustomed income, and being much happier for it. Friends would come to visit and express their envy for my lifestyle. I would say, "Well, there's nothing to stop you doing the same thing", and they'd reply "yeah, but I can't afford to"...

[ll_billym]

I wouldn't do much different to what I am doing now, probably start up my own company in the field I currently work in to give me more control, or if I really had all the money I needed then not work at all and do charity stuff but I'd still want the same things out of life that I have now.

I like to spend quality time with quality people and of course sexy girls, sharing good times, culture and conversation - that's my dream and I'm doing it today and to a certain degree money doesn't really come into it, and although a social lifestyle doesn't come for free, megabucks would only change the scenery, what I want out of it would stay the same.

[mazie]

I have to agree with rojash. I gave up my business last April. Sold my car (which was a total revelation) I now walk everywhere. I make everything from scratch, like I used to. But, the most important thing is, I now have time to speak to people, which makes the loss of income worth it.