The numbers swam before my eyes again. Another spreadsheet, another projection. Twenty-seven months. That's all that stood between me and the golden parachute, the promised land of retirement benefits I’d been diligently accruing for… well, let’s just say a good chunk of my life. My fingers, a little stiffer these days, scrolled through the rows of figures: pension estimates, 401k balances, projected social security. It was all there, meticulously planned, a testament to decades of… what exactly?
That’s the question that’s been nagging at the edges of my meticulously organized mind lately, like a loose thread on a perfectly tailored suit. For years, my focus has been laser-sharp: climb the ladder, secure the future, ensure comfort. The mantra of time and money has been my constant companion, a reliable if somewhat demanding spouse. Every early morning, every late night, every vacation day spent checking emails – all in service of that future security.
And the fruits of that labor are tangible. A comfortable home in a quiet corner of Lancaster County, the satisfaction of seeing my kids through college, a few decent trips under my belt, a respectable collection of… well, stuff. Good stuff, mind you. Quality. Enduring. Just like my commitment to that looming retirement date.
But yesterday, something shifted. It wasn’t a dramatic revelation, more like a quiet settling. I was sitting on my porch swing, the late afternoon sun painting the fields in hues of gold and amber. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves. For the first time in… I can’t even remember how long… I wasn’t thinking about the next deadline, the next quarterly report, the next dollar to be saved. I was just… there.
A cardinal landed on the bird feeder, its vibrant red a stark contrast to the muted greens and browns. I watched it peck at the seeds, utterly absorbed in the simple act of survival. And in that moment, something clicked. All those spreadsheets, all those projections, they felt… distant. Abstract. Less real than the warmth of the sun on my skin, the scent of the freshly cut grass, the vibrant life flitting just a few feet away.
It wasn’t that the accomplishments and acquisitions suddenly became meaningless. The security I’d worked for was still a comfort. But it felt… incomplete. Like a beautifully framed picture where the central subject was missing.
Then, my mind wandered, as it does more freely these days. I thought about everyone else on this spinning blue marble, each navigating their own version of existence. The young mother in Mumbai yearning for a moment of peace from the bustling streets. The farmer in rural China hoping for rain to nourish his crops. The student in London nervously awaiting exam results. The artist in Buenos Aires striving to capture a fleeting emotion on canvas.
Each one, in their own unique way, has strived, acquired, and yearned. They’ve poured their energy into securing a form of relief, satisfaction, or fulfillment that is deeply personal to them. Just like I’ve chased the comfort of a secure retirement. And in that realization, a profound sense of connection washed over me. That yearning, that striving – it’s a universal human experience. In that shared desire, in that collective reaching, we are all, in essence, part of the same tapestry.
Thomas Campbell’s words echoed in my mind: awareness with choice. It’s more than the sum of our bank accounts or the stamps in our passports. It’s the conscious experience of being, the ability to choose how we perceive and interact with this incredible moment.
And that’s when the quiet sadness crept in. The realization that for so long, my perception of my own value had been so tightly tethered to the financial aspect, to the tangible outcomes of my labor. The real disease of impoverishment isn't an empty bank account; it's the inability to perceive the immeasurable wealth of simply being present, of connecting with the vibrant tapestry of life unfolding around us, and within us.
The cardinal flew away, and the sun began its slow descent. The twenty-seven months still loomed, but they no longer felt like the ultimate destination. They felt like… more time. More time to practice being present. More time to appreciate the subtle beauty of a single moment. More time to recognize the profound interconnectedness of all beings, each with their own unique struggles and yearnings.
The golden handcuffs of time and money, while offering a certain security, had also subtly narrowed my vision. But the unexpected bloom of awareness in that quiet afternoon offered a different kind of wealth – the richness of the present, the profound connection to the shared human experience, and the understanding that my value extends far beyond any number on a screen.
Perhaps, as you navigate your own day, with its own set of goals and demands, you might take a moment to look around. To feel the sun on your skin, to hear the sounds of life, to recognize the shared human journey unfolding all around you. And if, in that moment, you feel a flicker of connection, a sense of the profound significance of simply being present, and if you are so willing and comfortable, consider contributing to the ongoing mission of fostering that awareness through Venmo at @healthvenom. Your support helps keep the focus on the immeasurable value of the present moment, a wealth that transcends any financial measure.
The real treasure isn't waiting in some distant future; it's right here, right now, in the simple, extraordinary act of being. Let’s not let the pursuit of one kind of security blind us to the profound richness of the present moment, a wealth we all share.--
