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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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OK....... From all of the above, we've learned that it's admirable and noble to live on modest means and, more so if we have an empathetic
understanding of those around us and their philosophical methods of coping with the seemingly inequitable differences which we have brought with us.
Now..... Tell me what's wrong with being filthy rich? I'm not but, I can see where it could be fun. How would we, being of assumed modest wealth,
view our new neighbor if he were a sheik from Dubai, dripping with baubles and bangles and fishing from his solid gold panga or flying to the meat
market in his helicopter?
All that wealth wouldn't make him a bad guy but, we would probably never realise that. There would be a wall of misunderstanding between us.
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
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Mood: Sling time!
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As Mel Brooks said, "its good to be the king!"
and i say too its good to be rich!
i hope to be so one day, i have a lot of rich friends - they are having fun with wealth - this IS capitalism after all fercrissakes!!!!
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
Registered: 3-24-2007
Location: The Valley of the Moon
Member Is Offline
Mood: Peacefull
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Wealth > Riches
Go Confidently In The Direction of Your Dreams !
Live The Life You've Imagined.
As You Simplify Your Life, The Laws Of The
Universe Will Be Simpler, Solitude Will Not Be
Solitude, Poverty Will Not Be Poverty, Nor
Weakness Weakness.
- Henry David Thoreau -
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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I have nothing against being rich, good for em. On a speaking level I've only known one really rich person ( George Gillett, broadcaster, sky slope
owner, etc. ) and he was very interesting to talk to. Never saw him in a coat and tie. The rich do what they want to do and I do what I what to do,
they just probably do it in a little more style with a bigger boat, plane or RV.
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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Money can't buy respect or can it?
Interesting post Diane. Cool looking tile and paint!
We feel blessed with what we have. We understand humbleness and no money in the bank.
The old addage " you won't appreciate it if you don't earn it" is so true. AS boomers inherit and cash in on explosive land values up north, the hard
work factor may be skewed in terms of the true vision of your wealth. Maybe you did work hard, or not, and maybe your rewards are justified, or not,
but the ratio of fixed income folks in the U.S. and sporatic and low income for so many in Mexico is extreme. I know some people with many toys. If
they break it's no biggie for them. They just buy a new one. Not me, I'll fix the frickin' thang myself. Now, would I buy a new one if I had the big
bucks. I doubt it. My life is pretty programmed. When I am unable someday to do these things I'll stop owning them.
Point is, would any of this matter to your workers? Would they see you as frugal or ??. Would you gain respect?
What and how you present yourself is similar to curb appeal for a house. Mexicans see that expensive exterior, be it a boat or plane or nice truck.
They know not what's on the inside. They need to see and know you. Problem is, they have automatically cataloged you in their mind. You know, surface
appearance. Then perhaps some get to know you and realize, hey this dude can get dirty with us. Because I can, I will. Now if I just sat there and
watched them work and sweat while sipping on a c-cktail, they might think differently about me and my motivations.
Each to their own. Quite frankly, being a crew chief in Baja has little appeal for me. I prefer to let the workers go about their work with little or
no dictating about their methods etc. If I can help solve something because I have a particular tool I'll normally give them that tool to keep. I
simply keep busy myself if I'm there while work is going on. Seems to work while I'm there anyway. 
btw I think all are non-drinkers. At least I never seeleftovers.
[Edited on 7-21-2007 by Sharksbaja]
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
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Suffering
The Buddha said that there is suffering in the world. He also said that it may take us many life times to understand that, to really get it. There are
many forms of suffering and poverty, not all of it economic. His advice is compassion. Good advice I think. Compassion is not condescension, but
awareness and caring. These virtues are available to us no matter what our material circumstances.
The first impression I had of Mexico was a huge wall of poverty. It felt like a tidal wave pouring over me as I reeled from the sights and smells. I
saw limbless people dragging themselves around on primitive skate boards. I saw Schizophrenics battling their unseen demons as they careened down the
streets, splayed fingers holding the ubiquitous Faro cigarette. I saw the upturned hands of snotty nosed street urchins with pleading eyes. I was
shocked, stunned and depressed. I recall leaning against a wall in the stucco courtyard of a bus depot and taking some ancient Mexican medicine. My
tears flowed as I slid down the wall and as I hit the ground I could feel my guilt and shame wash away as I experienced the view from that position. I
was on Mexican ground. What I noticed was a place teaming with humanity, everyone hustling and bustling to get somewhere. People embracing, tears shed
at partings and cursive glances of relief as some entered the busses and the doors closed on that chapter of their time together. I saw mothers and
their new born babies, grandparents in their best attire buying peanuts for the trip. I saw squirmy kids wanting to run and young couples lusting
after each other. I saw it all, recognized it all, it was life, just life unfolding in front of me. Different colors, tastes and sounds, but life none
the less, just life. Good life, bad life, sad life, happy life, all there to see.
Then I started to notice how happy most people were as they went about doing what people do. Now that was a surprise. My guilt and shame colored
lenses were clouding my vision. Who was poor I asked myself? And how were we poor? Were my stiff upper lipped, mid western relatives, so focused on
propriety, rich? Was what they called tasteless really the richest, most tasteful of things? Was I rich because I could afford bus fare? My viewpoint
began to change. It is what it is.
I was born with blond hair, pink skin and blue eyes in a home that was able to provide me with ample food, shelter, love and regard as well as
economic support to allow me to go to school and then college. I was able to go to graduate school and become a professional. I was able to earn a
relatively good living in my field that now allows me to comfortably in retirement. I have become disabled and can no longer work, though I have more
creature comforts than most people who have ever lived on this earth. I am very glad for the great good fortune to be raised in the circumstances that
I find myself. “There but for fortune go you or I, you or I”. I am to some admired, to others scorned, to others appreciated and enjoyed, to others
loathed, to others envied, to some the embodiment of all that is evil in the world. It is all perception, perspective, that makes the difference. The
choice is our as to how we deal with were we are and who we are. We cannot take responsibility for how others view us, only how we comport ourselves
in relation to other people. Other people are always assessing us, typecasting us, labeling us, trying to make us fit into their pre conceived boxes
of who we are. I think ee cummings said it well “to be ourselves in a world that is constantly trying to make us everyone else is to fight and never
stop fighting”. I like that.
I appreciate your sharing with us your feelings as well as thoughts as you go through what at times are challenging adjustments to living in another
culture. I admire your courage and heart.
Iflyfish
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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Diane, you have neglected to include shots of the electric gate at the entrance to this wealthy enclave.
I am sure this is just an oversight.............
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Excellent, IFF, absolutly excellent. Well written, as well.
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Baja Bernie
`Normal` Nomad Correspondent
Posts: 2962
Registered: 8-31-2003
Location: Sunset Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Just dancing through life
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Fly fish
Hats off to you and your little tour of truth! Thanks
My smidgen of a claim to fame is that I have had so many really good friends. By Bernie Swaim December 2007
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capn.sharky
Senior Nomad
Posts: 686
Registered: 9-4-2003
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Are all Mexicans poor? By our standards most are poor when it comes to money and homes and things. But are they really poor in all areas? Their
lifestyle seems to me to be somewhat better than ours. Don't you ever get tired of chasing the Jones' or trying to break the glass ceiling. Ever
think how much less stress is on the Mexicans compared to here. I'll take the stress of driving on Baja One over the I-15, 10, 210 or the I-5
anytime. Its alot prettier too. Why is it we all want to go down there while they want to come up here? Ask most Mexicans here if they had better
opportunities where would they rather live....you may be surprised by their answer. But trying to convince them they have a rich lifestyle is like
trying to tell them we are not rich but average.
If there is no fishing in heaven, I am not going
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Marie-Rose
Senior Nomad
Posts: 894
Registered: 10-2-2003
Location: Victoria, B.C. and Todos Santos
Member Is Offline
Mood: Worried...
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Diane and John
Thanks for the thoughts... provoking another great thread!
Iflyfish
Wow I have read your words twice and will, I am sure re-read them twice more.
I would love to be able to flyfish with you in bcs one of these days...
Remember, when in Mexico, yes may be no and no may be
maybe!
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
Member Is Offline
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Marie-Rose
Thank you and others for your kind comments. Sounds like I am not alone in these awarenesses and perceptions. It is a gift to be able to share in the
way that we do as Nomads.
We are headed up to BC to do some flyfishing for Kamloops in Sept. Williams Lake area.
Ilfyfish
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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Money won't buy happiness, only allows you look for it in nicer places.
Don't want to be rich, just to have one more dollar than I can spend.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65303
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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It is good to be rich! Rich people make the world a better place! The more rich people, the better the world is!
I am self employed and have never been hired by poor people. Rich people help me to survive, support my family, have a nice place to live and truck to
drive.
ALSO:
It is hard to donate money to worthy causes or help others when you are poor.
Poor people don't employ others or hire contractors or buy lots of things.
Poor people don't pay taxes.
Because of OPPORTUNITY, being poor need only be a temporary thing!
Get motivated... Want more for yourself or your family... Want to help others... GET RICH (or die trying )!
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
Member Is Offline
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David K says "GET RICH (or die trying )!"
In the sixties it was "Get Rich or go tie-dieing". I tie died!
Iflyfish
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HotSchott
Nomad
Posts: 156
Registered: 9-4-2003
Location: Sandy Eggo
Member Is Offline
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David K the Bleeding Heart Liberal!
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Money can't buy Happiness ?
Or Love. But it can sure buy a reasonable facsimile.
Random Thoughts on the Human Condition:
While money can't buy everything, Lack of it buys nothing.
Personally, I'd like to walk in their shoes and find out.
I'm unaware of ever having a neighbor named Jones so I didn't worry about keeping up with them.
My Fair (or Equal) share of any resource has always been what I decided it was.
Should we worry about our overuse of anything taking away from people we might not even like ?
Whenever the subject of Organ donation came up, I always said that I declined that (future) option because the organs might be used to save someone
I'd rather see gone.
But, that's just me. Time for a swim.
[Edited on 7-20-2007 by MrBillM]
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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Money won't buy happiness, but it'll allow you to rent it for a while.
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edinnopolo
Nomad
Posts: 138
Registered: 5-1-2005
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Mood: laid back
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Also the root of all evil.
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
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Amazing
Just amazing to me how some random thoughts and feelings in one moment of time can spread out into so many directions.
Interesting, very interesting.
Diane
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