We Don’t (Completely) Live on an Island
It sometimes feels like we're living on an island. Whenever we talk about such crazy ideas as pursuing work that matters, not keeping up with the Joneses, and practicing radical generosity, criticism and hate start rolling in. I feel it daily, but I regularly get stories from you about the harsh words and criticism you receive.
One of you left your job to pursue a career that makes a bigger impact, and a family member called you "irresponsible." Another one of you sold your fancy car and downsized your house, and people started asking if you were broke. Another person stopped hoarding money and started giving significantly more, and their colleague responded with, "Your kids deserve better." I could rattle off another dozen of these stories.
It can feel lonely at times, but community changes everything. Every time I absorb some online hate (which has slowed down in recent months), I immediately get an e-mail from one of you with an incredible story about your own journey. It's easy to dwell on the haters, while simultaneously glossing over the people who are right there alongside you. We're all on this journey together, and I couldn't be more grateful. I was reminded of this fact when a friend texted the name of a song, along with the message, "You write this song?" I had no idea what he was talking about, so off to Google I went. It’s called Bigger Houses by Dan + Shay.
Check out these lyrics:
Used to dream about buying that bigger house
Sitting on top of some hill
Losing sleep about filling my bank account
Wondering if I ever will
But the older I get, I just care less and less
'Bout keeping up with people named Jones
If you don't fill it up with somebody that you love
It ain't ever gonna feel like home
There's always gonna be a higher high
You could chase for the rest of your life
Greener grass in the yard next door
Or a shined up Chevy little newer than yours
You're never gonna fill an empty cup
If what you got's still not enough
The thing about happiness I've found is
It don't live in bigger houses
I can hear the kids making little footsteps
Running down the hallway upstairs
I can see the dogs playing in the back yard
Through the kitchen window right there
Maybe life's kinda more 'bout us swinging on a porch
Holding her while the sun disappears
Why would I wanna be anywhere else in the world
When my whole world is sitting right here?
Wow! It's so fun to know others are spreading the meaning over money message. Here's the fun part. We don't need to be a world-renowned band to have a platform. We all have a platform. We all have people watching us. That's an amazing opportunity.....and a huge responsibility. We can model money, or we can model meaning. If you're one of the hundreds who read this blog literally daily, I suspect you're probably in the meaning camp.
It sometimes feels like we're living on an island. That's probably not entirely true, but if it is, let's invite others to join the party! There's room for everyone on this island!