You Got It, Dude.

Do you ever have those times in life where something or someone is on the brain? No matter what, the word just keeps coming up or that name finds itself in (what seems like) every conversation? A few years ago, Paris was on my brain. The problem was that Paris wasn't on my significant other's brain. The hints finally turned into a conversation.

Now let me explain tour life. It's amazing. You make great money for a short period of time, but sometimes you don't know when the next contract is coming through. There's no consistency so you have to be a master saver and learn to budget during the waiting periods.

My significant other was concerned that if we took a trip to Paris, we wouldn't be able to pay the mortgage in four months. Four months? Here I am feeling like Scrooge McDuck swimming in a sea of gold coins and my ex (in my opinion) was overly concerned about savings. I remember the phrase that won the battle. Eh-em I said "How much money do we need for it to be enough? How much money do we need for you to feel ok? When will it ever be enough?"

The conversation turned into a compromise which turned into a Paris budget which turned into a trip. Next thing you know, my never-left-the country man and I are jet-setting to Paris. We didn't live large out there, we didn't eat at the most amazing restaurants but I did see the Eifel Tower, I was blown away by Notre Dame, I got lost in the Louvre and I (dead serious) cried when I saw the Mona Lisa. My ex got struck by the travel bug, the life bug, the we-are-blessed-then-most-people-so-stop-being-overly-concerned-about-not-having-enough bug.

What I'm trying to express is that you have enough. Even if you are living pay check to pay check and feel swamped, you are far more blessed than the majority of the world, focus on what you have, not what you don't have. What I'm also trying to express is that traveling (even if it's just a little road trip within your state) makes you richer. Lastly, when will it ever been enough. When will your life perfectly line up exactly the way that you want so that you can do something?

 



 

Daily Challenge:

I have a gift, it's actually a talent. You might have it too, it's called complaining. Sometimes I focus way too much on the things that I don't have. What I started is two ongoing lists that I keep in my phone, The Rich List and The 2014 List. The Rich List is everything that I've received this year for free, whether it's someone treating me to lunch, giving me free concert tickets, or a killer discount or sale, I put it on my list. Whenever I don't feel like a million bucks or that I don't have a million bucks, I refer to my Rich List.

The 2014 List is an ongoing list as well. I keep track of everything incredible that happened and the way it made me feel. Whether it's seeing a new band in concert, having a life changing conversation, or standing on top of Machu Picchu, it's on my list. Whenever I feel caught up in the rat race of Northern VA, feel stagnant or uninspired, or feel like "whoa is me, I never do anything" I refer to my list. My goal is to look at it on December 31st and reflect back that 2014 was a great year.

 

Song of the Day:

Nico and Vinz - Am I Wrong

http://youtu.be/bg1sT4ILG0w

 

This song is currently a mild obsession. The lyrics inspire me to be me!