Photo by Stephan
Plan for the future, live for today
While we’ve experienced unparalleled growth and prosperity around the globe, history teaches us that everything comes to an end.
- Alexander the Great carved out an empire over 13 years, but died one month shy of his 33rd birthday. His empire didn’t last.
- The Roman empire lasted for 1,480 years in one form or another.
- China was united and ruled by a succession of dynasties for 2,132 years.
Individual lives are even shorter
Even-though many people now live into their late seventies and beyond, many people do not.
So, don’t put off living today in hopes that you’ll have time to enjoy life later.
- Don’t live like a miser because that early retirement might be just as unsatisfying.
- Don’t put off your dreams, you might not have a better chance later.
- Most of all, don’t neglect your loved ones. Money can be replaced and priorities can be rearranged for more time, but death is final.
Sit back and re-evaluate how you use your time and what you’ve unintentionally been missing. If you haven’t started saving for the future, start now. If you’re not quite ready to pursue a dream, make sure you aren’t letting fear delay you.
Moving forward with a plan will help you resume living with vigor, focusing on what matters because you know you’ve prepared for a bright future.
inspirationbit added:
December 16th, 2007
This is so true. For several years me and my husband were delaying to start the family in hopes that we’ll make more money and will be able to raise the child without financial worries. But things were just getting worse for me every year, from working full time I was reduced to working part time in different places. So one day I just said - that’s it. Six months after my daughter was born I went back to work, and a year later I got a new job, making twice more money than I did before I had her. She changed our lives in every positive way possible. It is very challenging to manage work and family, but life is a challenging thing, we just have to live with it and enjoy every minute of it.
Aaron Stroud added:
December 16th, 2007
Vivien, people have a not so wonderful ability to spend most or even all that they earn. Unfortunately, this means that waiting until we have enough sometimes means waiting forever!
Fortunately, things always seem to work out when a new bundle of joy arrives on the scene. Suddenly, expenses that seemed necessary before just don’t seem as important.