What We Give

When living a minimalist lifestyle (aka: broke) you do with what you got. My Granddaddy used to say, “saving pennies and wasting dollars”; when he talked about how some people run their businesses. As I got older went to business school and run a few businesses myself, I came to understand that statement quite well. That micro-managing and counting the arbitrary cost of business, is meaningless and burdensome. 

Operating a business is a terrible burden that can often cost a person their sanity and their health. But at the same time, it can be an exhilarating and fulfilling experience. I suppose the thing to remember is to go into it with a definitive plan. As for myself, I’m just not that into it anymore. My desire and passion for success has shifted to other places, like being content and having peace of mind.
 
Besides I never felt quite at home with the trappings of wealth. I remember a few decades back; I would go to the seminars and corporate luncheons our company held. These meetings were held at a private club that was just weird. For one, there was a man who sat in the bathroom that handed out hot towels and aftershave. Then the utensils felt like they weighted 2lbs, and everyone eat using good posture while wiping the corners of their mouth’s real cloth napkins. Hell, my Grandma never used cloth napkins.
 
I was definitely out of my element, but everyone else seemed to enjoy it even relishing in it. I don’t know, maybe it’s just the South Georgia redneck in me? I guess what I’m saying is, be comfortable with who you are. Don’t look at the trappings of wealth or fame as a goal. Find meaning in your life. If that meaning is running a business, then run a business. If that meaning is speaking your truth, well then speak it. We shouldn’t be judged by what we gather, but instead by what we give.