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We are such stuff as dreams are made of
Jan. 21st, 2009 12:15 pmI have been thinking a lot about this simple exercise lately that I wish someone had put before me several years ago, but that is infinitely invaluable to me now, so I want to share it with you, and ask you to post your responses in your own journals:
Q: Let's say you're unfathomably wealthy. Money is not an issue- you could spend off-handedly for the rest of your life and never keep track and never run out, and because of this you could be and do anything you wanted, anything at all, for the rest of your life. What would it be? Of course, you want things. Let's say you've gotten them all, and as you discover new things that make you happy you can keep buying them. But what else? How would you occupy yourself for the rest of your life? List the first nine things that come to mind if you can.
My answer:
-Of course, I would write. I would travel around the world and write as I go. And when I got sick of traveling, I'd come home and write some more, and I'd use my wealth to cover the cost of the carbon footprint from my traveling.
-I would invest in philanthropic ventures- arts scholarships; animal shelters; certain charities of the self-empowering variety; campaigns that promote education on and acceptance of other cultures, not just tolerance.
-I would make movies, just for the hell of it. Possibly a television show.
-I would buy up green space and declare it wildlife preserves.
-I would build entirely "green" temples to divinity; sacred spaces where one can go at any time they need or desire to.
-I would keep learning new skills, and refreshing old ones: dancing, instruments, languages, cooking
-I would sculpt. I love sculpture- plaster carving especially, and clay. I would probably produce a lot of art, but this one comes to mind most prominently.
-I would hike the Appalachian Trail, and all the cross-continental trails I can find.
-I would try at every opportunity to give something to the world, to bring joy, beauty, and love into it.
I could go on and on, but in reality these would all occupy a great deal of my time. But it's fun just to think about it, and to see clearly what it is you want to do with your life. There is no reason I can't do all of these things in this lifetime, even without an infinite cash reserve. :)
Q: Let's say you're unfathomably wealthy. Money is not an issue- you could spend off-handedly for the rest of your life and never keep track and never run out, and because of this you could be and do anything you wanted, anything at all, for the rest of your life. What would it be? Of course, you want things. Let's say you've gotten them all, and as you discover new things that make you happy you can keep buying them. But what else? How would you occupy yourself for the rest of your life? List the first nine things that come to mind if you can.
My answer:
-Of course, I would write. I would travel around the world and write as I go. And when I got sick of traveling, I'd come home and write some more, and I'd use my wealth to cover the cost of the carbon footprint from my traveling.
-I would invest in philanthropic ventures- arts scholarships; animal shelters; certain charities of the self-empowering variety; campaigns that promote education on and acceptance of other cultures, not just tolerance.
-I would make movies, just for the hell of it. Possibly a television show.
-I would buy up green space and declare it wildlife preserves.
-I would build entirely "green" temples to divinity; sacred spaces where one can go at any time they need or desire to.
-I would keep learning new skills, and refreshing old ones: dancing, instruments, languages, cooking
-I would sculpt. I love sculpture- plaster carving especially, and clay. I would probably produce a lot of art, but this one comes to mind most prominently.
-I would hike the Appalachian Trail, and all the cross-continental trails I can find.
-I would try at every opportunity to give something to the world, to bring joy, beauty, and love into it.
I could go on and on, but in reality these would all occupy a great deal of my time. But it's fun just to think about it, and to see clearly what it is you want to do with your life. There is no reason I can't do all of these things in this lifetime, even without an infinite cash reserve. :)
