This week I caught myself thinking about all the things that I don't have.
A Nice car (and gas money).
The opportunity to get my nails done every week.
A big house.
Money. . .
But then I had to stop counting the things I didn't have, and focus on the things that I did have...
I do actually have A car. I've taught myself to do my own pedicures (which saves me a whole lot of money). I live in A house, and I'm still managing an apartment along with my roommate back in Alabama (with help, of course). But after all these things, I still didn't have... money.
But have I ever gone hungry? Have I ever missed a rent payment? Have I never been able to financially clear for school? Have I ever been homeless? Has this ever been a factor in stifling my lifelong passion of traveling? Absolutely not.
I then reminisced about all of the opportunities I've had during the course of my short life. I've had the privilege of going to Kenya and India, I've also visited my homeland of Cape Verde as well, and I'll be on my way to Brazil in about a week or so. So no, I don't have money, but somehow these amazing opportunities always seem to present themselves.
I try not to spend a lot of time worrying about money, because I know my Father is able to support me, in more ways than simply financially, seeing as how He is a pre-tty important guy. Let's just say that not only is He the world's finest Doctor, but He is also the head of the world Justice system as well. He's skilled in pretty much every trade you can possibly think of, though He preferred art, and carpentry above all- I know this because that's what He spent a lot of His time doing the last time He was here. He's also pretty good with my friends as well. He considers each and every one of them one of His own. He's a great Counselor and Comforter as well. He's my Rock, I don't know what I'd do, or where I'd be without Him. He's actually a King, I probably should have mentioned that as well, you should see the amount of livestock He has. It's probably enough to fill over one thousand Mount Everest sized Hills. But ok- let me stop bragging about my Father, I'm sure you've read enough...
One thing my Father taught me was in regards to living simply. You know, it's not always about having money. Because even the richest people tend to live unhappily and unfulfilled in life. So if it's not all about chasin' paper (because, at the beginning of the night, that's all that it is), then what is life all about?
And here's where the challenge comes in. I, Aldavina Dos Santos, challenge you- Blog reader, to implement this outlook into your life- *drumroll*
. . . Live, Needingly . . .
Well, Aldavina, what does this mean? - I'm glad you asked.
To live "needingly" means to do just that- Live in regards to obtaining the things that you need, and not necessarily the things that you want. Now don't get me wrong, this is not to say that obtaining something that you want is inherently bad- it just means that you are reevaluating your priorities in life, and really seeking meaning behind the reasons why you so desire the things that you want. Who knows... you might be a lot more selfish than you think.
For example. I used to be a huge sneaker head. When I was in high school, if my shoes didn't have a 23 or a check mark on em, I didn't wear em. I cooled down a bit my first year of college, but then when I entered into my latter college years, I caught myself indulging in those "fleshly desires" as we like to call them. One day, I found myself buying two pairs of Jordan's in one day, and another pair on the following day.. only to have to face my tuition statement the next week. I Thought that just because I had the money to spend, meant that I could spend it in any way that I wanted to. Not only was I blind sighted by this mentality, but I also became extremely superficial during that stage of my life. And when I look back, it really wasn't worth it at all. I mean, what is the point of having those things, when you really think about it..
Now, wherever I go I always ask myself this question: Is this something that I need, or is this something that I want?
If it turns out to be something that I need, I go right ahead and pay for it. But if it's something that I want, well, then I know it's something I can live without, and I know I won't feel bad after not having to pay for something that I'm not guaranteed to put to use after I buy it.
So the next time some new J's come out, or whenever Rihanna decides to show off another one of her sweatpant-heel combo's that you just HAVE to have (-_-) - please ask yourself- Will I be better off without these things?
Trust me. Living simpler just makes life a whole lot more... interesting. And fulfilling. Because, after all, you spend less time worrying about what you'll be wearing tomorrow, and more time enjoying the beautiful sunrise. And maybe you'll finally notice those spectacular mountains way out in the distance...
Simple Pleasures.
-Alda.
A Nice car (and gas money).
The opportunity to get my nails done every week.
A big house.
Money. . .
But then I had to stop counting the things I didn't have, and focus on the things that I did have...
I do actually have A car. I've taught myself to do my own pedicures (which saves me a whole lot of money). I live in A house, and I'm still managing an apartment along with my roommate back in Alabama (with help, of course). But after all these things, I still didn't have... money.
But have I ever gone hungry? Have I ever missed a rent payment? Have I never been able to financially clear for school? Have I ever been homeless? Has this ever been a factor in stifling my lifelong passion of traveling? Absolutely not.
I then reminisced about all of the opportunities I've had during the course of my short life. I've had the privilege of going to Kenya and India, I've also visited my homeland of Cape Verde as well, and I'll be on my way to Brazil in about a week or so. So no, I don't have money, but somehow these amazing opportunities always seem to present themselves.
I try not to spend a lot of time worrying about money, because I know my Father is able to support me, in more ways than simply financially, seeing as how He is a pre-tty important guy. Let's just say that not only is He the world's finest Doctor, but He is also the head of the world Justice system as well. He's skilled in pretty much every trade you can possibly think of, though He preferred art, and carpentry above all- I know this because that's what He spent a lot of His time doing the last time He was here. He's also pretty good with my friends as well. He considers each and every one of them one of His own. He's a great Counselor and Comforter as well. He's my Rock, I don't know what I'd do, or where I'd be without Him. He's actually a King, I probably should have mentioned that as well, you should see the amount of livestock He has. It's probably enough to fill over one thousand Mount Everest sized Hills. But ok- let me stop bragging about my Father, I'm sure you've read enough...
One thing my Father taught me was in regards to living simply. You know, it's not always about having money. Because even the richest people tend to live unhappily and unfulfilled in life. So if it's not all about chasin' paper (because, at the beginning of the night, that's all that it is), then what is life all about?
And here's where the challenge comes in. I, Aldavina Dos Santos, challenge you- Blog reader, to implement this outlook into your life- *drumroll*
. . . Live, Needingly . . .
Well, Aldavina, what does this mean? - I'm glad you asked.
To live "needingly" means to do just that- Live in regards to obtaining the things that you need, and not necessarily the things that you want. Now don't get me wrong, this is not to say that obtaining something that you want is inherently bad- it just means that you are reevaluating your priorities in life, and really seeking meaning behind the reasons why you so desire the things that you want. Who knows... you might be a lot more selfish than you think.
For example. I used to be a huge sneaker head. When I was in high school, if my shoes didn't have a 23 or a check mark on em, I didn't wear em. I cooled down a bit my first year of college, but then when I entered into my latter college years, I caught myself indulging in those "fleshly desires" as we like to call them. One day, I found myself buying two pairs of Jordan's in one day, and another pair on the following day.. only to have to face my tuition statement the next week. I Thought that just because I had the money to spend, meant that I could spend it in any way that I wanted to. Not only was I blind sighted by this mentality, but I also became extremely superficial during that stage of my life. And when I look back, it really wasn't worth it at all. I mean, what is the point of having those things, when you really think about it..
Now, wherever I go I always ask myself this question: Is this something that I need, or is this something that I want?
If it turns out to be something that I need, I go right ahead and pay for it. But if it's something that I want, well, then I know it's something I can live without, and I know I won't feel bad after not having to pay for something that I'm not guaranteed to put to use after I buy it.
So the next time some new J's come out, or whenever Rihanna decides to show off another one of her sweatpant-heel combo's that you just HAVE to have (-_-) - please ask yourself- Will I be better off without these things?
Trust me. Living simpler just makes life a whole lot more... interesting. And fulfilling. Because, after all, you spend less time worrying about what you'll be wearing tomorrow, and more time enjoying the beautiful sunrise. And maybe you'll finally notice those spectacular mountains way out in the distance...
Simple Pleasures.
-Alda.
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