Point & Counterpoint

Point & Counterpoint
The lady of Fire and Brimstone, ok, thats just a nickname I've given her <you know I love the challenge Jodi!> , Jodi from Looking Beyond the Cracked Window.... has started a new journal called Point & Counterpoint . I think it's a wonderful concept and signed myself up for the program. Two writers, male and female, are given a topic, idea, question, to personally write on. Both writers are featured in her journal on the topic. You can also post your thoughts in your own journal. Since I'm a handicapped typist now and entries are going to be few until I can stop plinking with my braced hand, I'm posting my answer here too. I think it will be most interesting to see everyone's comments on the questions, the difference in male and female answers etc.............


The Question
It is said that time is money. Most of us have to trade one for the other...BUT...If you
were granted full unconditional use of both...How would you draw the line between
self-preservation and selfishness? How would you get what you want AND want what you
get? Would you feel the need to offset the consequences of your materialism by thinking
globally and acting locally...What would you do?
 
       Unconditional use of both. I sense both an incredible freedom within those guidelines and a heavy burden of responsibility. As a woman, I think we all dream of a life without brick walls, restrictions to the amount of accomplishments we can contribute to those around us, and a desire for personal space.

       Time given freely, without worry of bills, appointments we don't want, responsibilities that bind our time to outside influences, would be a sense of freedom I personally covet. In this circumstance I believe for self-preservation I would live as anonymously as possible. Creating a safe haven in which I could pursue all my passions. Writing, reading, gardening, horse riding, fishing, camping, hiking, this list could go on and on. I've found, money can only buy so much. Once you own a car, a home, food for your family, selfishness would come from wasting money on things you don't need. I really don't think anyone needs a Bill Gates compound/lifestyle, therefore hopefully true selfishness wouldn't come from the amount of money at one's disposal. I have to believe time would be what was basked in, held dearly and this is where I could very potentially and selfishly keep as much of it to myself as possible.
      
       Time freedom, would throw a yellow brick road of possibilities in front of anyone with a desire to pursue any avenue they desired. When the stress of money is relieved, you could wander aimlessly between opportunities without regard to consequences.

       Money makes the world grow rounder and rounder. For me personally, money is simply a tool that either binds or liberates. A life without a lot of money can have happiness, be fulfilling and desirable. A life full of money can also have happiness, fulfilling and desirable. I think when money becomes a controlling factor of emotion and material things, is when it sinks it's hooks into a person like an anchor on a boat. I personally have been both penniless broke, and have had a fat balance in my bank account. During both phases of my life, the desire's in my heart had nothing to do with money itself. Self preservation was always found from the things that couldn't be bought.

       Given unconditional use of money would be glorious in it's ability to help others, yet again, a huge responsibility with many burdens. Thinking locally and globally, it would provide the ability to ensure those around you were provided with the "tool" to release the hooks, and drop anchor. To help the family that is working multiple jobs to make a mortgage payment, to ensure charities and nonprofit groups had the funds to accomplish their missions, to fund all the worthy causes so that no one is overlooked, again, this list could go on and on............I think the burden of this blessing would be distinguishing between "need" "must" "necessity" and "handouts" I think anyone would struggle with the task of making the decision of how far would your charity reach, and to whom would benefit.

       The gift of time, the gift of money, blended together would indeed be a horizon that you would never see sunset. The possibilities that would come in personal growth, exploration and relief to others would be endless. But looking between the two possibilities, if given a choice, I would pick time over money anyday. Money is the tangible green dollar bill that slips easily through my hands, time is what I can never quite grasp hold of and hang on too. If given both, the question of what would I do, seems like it should state something more like , "what wouldn't I do?" Because I would fulfill all my dreams, and reach both hands out to give the tools to anyone willing to accept my gift, so that they may also, walk their own yellow brick road.