In India, 300 million people live on the streets. An estimated 435 million will work all day for an average of $1.25. Today around the planet one billion people will earn less than one dollar. Another billion will make less than two.
Rich or poor, everyone worries. Each emotionally residing on one of five levels of what Abraham Maslow named a “hierarchy of needs” that profoundly shapes the daily focus of what he or she worries about. Most basic is survival. Once we’re safe and secure, our worries shift to comfort. Once comfortable we worry about being accepted and loved. Next we crave respect. Maslow’s final step is self-actualization, the personal fulfillment that comes from doing exactly in life what you were put on the planet to do.
The global economy has forced billions to fear lifestyle backsliding. Change is emotionally disruptive for very predictable emotional reasons. When combined with a perceived threat that might lower our standard of living, forced change creates cataclysmic worry. Being derailed is a jarring emotional trauma. Some fight it, can’t deal with it, and do terrible things to themselves and others.
I am fond of saying that until you’re happy with who you are, you’ll never be happy with what you have. I believe that money is a fool’s scorecard. If you don’t have it, you think it solves everything; when you get some you realize it doesn’t. In the words of noted, rich musician Sir Paul McCartney, “Money means nothing unless you don’t have any.” A very wealthy friend of mine has been divorced six times. He wouldn’t know happiness if it trick-or-treated at his front door.
Droll Boston comedian Steven Wright wrote the line, “It’s a small world but I’d hate to have to paint it.” He is correct. The planet is a multi-faceted albeit flawed gemstone. But make no mistake: It is a gemstone. The reason why is because of all the people, places, and things the world is forced to juggle. A common Earth in theory, different experiential planets by mandate.
The planet’s citizenry populate each of Maslow’s five levels. Regardless of life’s circumstance, each one worries. He or she worries about things they can control, things they cannot, and things they can merely influence. The dice they roll and that have been rolled for them determine which of Maslow’s five levels preoccupy their mind, emotions, and behaviors.
A good life is a relentless pursuit. The world teaches us that balance, not money, drives happiness, contentment, and self-motivation. Victimization does not exist in a well-balanced life. A well-balanced life manages the Worry Circle. We control what we can, slough off the rest, and focus each day on positive change.
Be more grateful for what you’ve got and worry less about what you don’t. Each of us has bountiful gifts. Cherish the life you’ve been given. Invest each day in the noble pursuit of positive things that matter to you.
Do that, and you’re a gemstone, too.
Next: How and why the mind absorbs change.