“Life is short. Focus on what matters and let go of what doesn’t.” ~Unknown
Our most precious commodities are not our smartphones, 3D TVs, brand new cars, or even our big and impressive houses.
Our most precious commodities can’t be found at the bank. They can’t be ordered online. The truth is, they are on a very short list.
Amongst our most precious commodities are our purpose, time, health, and our relationships.
How I Came to This Conclusion
Several years ago I realized I was accumulating more in my life. More things that didn’t really matter to me or speak to me on a spiritual level. More commitments I wasn’t really passionate about keeping. This was all leaving me feeling a little flat and unfulfilled. It felt like something was missing, but I wasn’t sure what that something was.
A period of fairly deep reflection followed. I then started to take some action based on this reflection. Amongst other things, that action has meant:
- I have made good on long-term dreams to write creatively
- I have realized I value freedom and flexibility over the ability to just earn more, and I now seek out ways of living accordingly.
- I have accumulated fewer material possessions but enjoyed more (travel and holidays, events, life experiences).
- I have concerned myself a whole lot less with the need to keep up with others (a toxic and empty competition if ever there was one).
- I have set up my own micro-business so I have more control over what work and clients I say yes and no to.
- I have met and married a partner in travel and adventure.
- I have embraced aspects of simplicity, 80/20, and other powerful concepts into my life.
The upshot of these and other changes has been that the quality of my life has improved significantly. I certainly don’t have everything figured out (spoiler: no one does!), but my compass in life is much more in tune with somewhere I actually want to get to now.
Alongside this period of internal reflection, I started to question lots about life.
