Luck needs to be on my side...

wearyhawk83 said:I’m not totally sold on the idea that stuff like that is actually tied to luck or personal values. If that were true, being wealthy would basically guarantee a high-quality life every single time. Aside from those crazy freak accidents where someone finds exactly what they need to survive, you have to question whether these "lucky" people are actually winning at life. Honestly, I'd put a huge question mark over the whole thing.

There’s also this massive luck factor that everyone just ignores. People see their neighbor hit the Powerball jackpot and suddenly feel like life is totally unfair if they haven't won too. But just look at the lottery numbers—some digits pop up five times in a row while others don't show up for fifty draws. One person gets hit with pure luck or karma, while someone else is stuck working with nothing but the hand they were dealt.
Still, I really think true luck deserves a more honest place in our lives. To me, real luck is just what happens when you work hard to build a healthy mindset toward everything happening around you. As for the random stuff I mentioned above? I'd say that shouldn't even matter if we actually care about ourselves.

Actually, they do—and it leads to a much better quality of life (though we could probably spend all day debating what "quality" even means). Think about it: people who are stuck in survival mode, just scraping by from paycheck to paycheck, barely have the mental bandwidth to think about anything else, let alone dive into the deep mysteries of the universe.

Brenda Cook4 said:Actually, they do—and it leads to a much better quality of life (though we could probably spend all day debating what "quality" even means). Think about it: people who are stuck in survival mode, just scraping by from paycheck to paycheck, barely have the mental bandwidth to think about anything else, let alone dive into the deep mysteries of the universe.

I suppose there's a certain sweetness in diving into those deep waters occasionally... reaching for something higher up and just forgetting about the ground beneath your feet for a while...🤣

cosmictinker21 said:I suppose there's a certain sweetness in diving into those deep waters occasionally... reaching for something higher up and just forgetting about the ground beneath your feet for a while...🤣

Look, just focusing on how to keep your head above water isn't exactly what I'd call "living." But—and I want to be clear here, this is just my two cents—that's exactly why I told Moda we really need to sit down and actually define what we mean by "quality of life."🤷

Brenda Cook4 said:Look, just focusing on how to keep your head above water isn't exactly what I'd call "living." But—and I want to be clear here, this is just my two cents—that's exactly why I told Moda we really need to sit down and actually define what we mean by "quality of life."🤷

Was it Lenin who said that? You know, the whole thing about eight hours of work, eight hours of rest, and eight hours of whatever else—cultural enrichment or something... I can never quite recall the exact phrasing...🙄

Sometimes I’m so wiped out by the first eight hours of the day that the remaining eight just become this endless loop of worrying... which doesn't exactly help me stay focused, so getting anything productive actually done on my to-do list feels impossible. It makes it hard enough to manage the daily grind, let alone find the energy for any real soul-searching or personal growth. Sometimes that spiritual stuff happens naturally, just kind of drifting along as I go through life, but more often than not, I feel this intense pull toward things that truly matter to me. It’s like this deep intellectual or emotional curiosity that won't quit... I just want to actually live out what I’m thinking and feeling instead of just letting it sit there...

Well, at least I'm trying...🤣

I can't quite get on board with that old-school wisdom people always preach—you know, the whole "look out for number one," "stay in your own lane," and "just deal with whatever happens" philosophy... It just doesn't sit right with me...

It’s nice to have enough money to just... stop worrying. To travel wherever you feel like, or to know that if things go sideways health-wise, you’ll have access to the absolute best medical care available without a second thought. Then again, some people are perfectly content just sitting in front of the TV, picking apart news headlines, or taking a quiet stroll through town and feeling satisfied once they get home to a meal they picked out themselves at a local Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. It doesn't matter much, really. For some, quality of life is defined by social standing—being a respected wife, a model mother, or just being that polished woman where every hair is perfectly in place. Others find their version of the "good life" in material milestones, like finally pulling a brand-new SUV into the driveway or owning a vacation house in the Hamptons, maybe even a little boat to go with it. And then there are those who find peace in the mountains, sitting in front of a fireplace with a glass of bourbon, just letting the world fade away...🤷

I mean, if that were actually true, you’d think the whole jet-set crowd—you know, the Hollywood A-listers, the massive CEOs, those big-shot politicians—would all be living these incredibly deep, enlightened, high-quality lives. But honestly? That's rarely the case. If anything, it’s usually the exact opposite... they're often just chasing the next thing. And then there's the other side of the coin, where people are struggling just to hit that bare-minimum survival line, which is obviously a whole different level of hardship. But look, just because someone isn't rolling in cash doesn't mean their life lacks substance. I've met plenty of folks who don't have much to their name, yet they live way more meaningful lives than those guys swimming in money who are constantly obsessed with getting even more...

briskbison62 said:I mean, if that were actually true, you’d think the whole jet-set crowd—you know, the Hollywood A-listers, the massive CEOs, those big-shot politicians—would all be living these incredibly deep, enlightened, high-quality lives. But honestly? That's rarely the case. If anything, it’s usually the exact opposite... they're often just chasing the next thing. And then there's the other side of the coin, where people are struggling just to hit that bare-minimum survival line, which is obviously a whole different level of hardship. But look, just because someone isn't rolling in cash doesn't mean their life lacks substance. I've met plenty of folks who don't have much to their name, yet they live way more meaningful lives than those guys swimming in money who are constantly obsessed with getting even more...

Honestly, go tell that to the crowd obsessed with status symbols and all that superficial nonsense... the pure consumerism trap that catches anyone who can't find any actual substance within themselves. They try to manufacture an identity through designer labels, high-end shoes, or even outright lies, just so they can show up at the right parties and pretend they belong. It's all just a desperate attempt to impress others—specifically, people with slightly deeper pockets...😁

Honestly, I went through so much struggle before I finally found my own space—I was basically living out of a suitcase, bouncing from place to place and just taking whatever life threw at me... but man, that makes me appreciate what I have today so much more. Even if my place isn't some massive mansion by typical standards, to me, it’s a total castle. And honestly? I definitely value it way more than if some rich dad had just handed me a penthouse on a silver platter!

cosmictinker21 said:Honestly, go tell that to the crowd obsessed with status symbols and all that superficial nonsense... the pure consumerism trap that catches anyone who can't find any actual substance within themselves. They try to manufacture an identity through designer labels, high-end shoes, or even outright lies, just so they can show up at the right parties and pretend they belong. It's all just a desperate attempt to impress others—specifically, people with slightly deeper pockets...😁

Exactly. And honestly? No amount of stuff is ever going to fill that void inside them. You could buy out the whole mall and they’d still feel empty because material things aren't what makes life actually worth living. But hey, our society is practically built to encourage this—capitalism loves turning people into mindless consumers and addicts to keep the wheels turning. It reminds me of how much simpler things felt back in the day before everything became so flashy and superficial. I remember when we’d make a big trip once or twice a year just to go shopping in Venice, and even then, we weren't being fed these fake, manufactured desires that you can never actually satisfy... It’s pretty obvious to both of us that real value lies elsewhere. Like, back when our grandmas were kids, happiness was just about those Sunday family dinners or lying in bed sharing stories with an older sister. That lack of "stuff" didn't make them any less rich in spirit...

briskbison62 said:Exactly. And honestly? No amount of stuff is ever going to fill that void inside them. You could buy out the whole mall and they’d still feel empty because material things aren't what makes life actually worth living. But hey, our society is practically built to encourage this—capitalism loves turning people into mindless consumers and addicts to keep the wheels turning. It reminds me of how much simpler things felt back in the day before everything became so flashy and superficial. I remember when we’d make a big trip once or twice a year just to go shopping in Venice, and even then, we weren't being fed these fake, manufactured desires that you can never actually satisfy... It’s pretty obvious to both of us that real value lies elsewhere. Like, back when our grandmas were kids, happiness was just about those Sunday family dinners or lying in bed sharing stories with an older sister. That lack of "stuff" didn't make them any less rich in spirit...

😍😍😍 It’s actually kind of nice to see someone else here who remembers how things used to be.

cosmictinker21 said:Was it Lenin who said that? You know, the whole thing about eight hours of work, eight hours of rest, and eight hours of whatever else—cultural enrichment or something... I can never quite recall the exact phrasing...🙄

Sometimes I’m so wiped out by the first eight hours of the day that the remaining eight just become this endless loop of worrying... which doesn't exactly help me stay focused, so getting anything productive actually done on my to-do list feels impossible. It makes it hard enough to manage the daily grind, let alone find the energy for any real soul-searching or personal growth. Sometimes that spiritual stuff happens naturally, just kind of drifting along as I go through life, but more often than not, I feel this intense pull toward things that truly matter to me. It’s like this deep intellectual or emotional curiosity that won't quit... I just want to actually live out what I’m thinking and feeling instead of just letting it sit there...

Well, at least I'm trying...🤣

I can't quite get on board with that old-school wisdom people always preach—you know, the whole "look out for number one," "stay in your own lane," and "just deal with whatever happens" philosophy... It just doesn't sit right with me...

It’s nice to have enough money to just... stop worrying. To travel wherever you feel like, or to know that if things go sideways health-wise, you’ll have access to the absolute best medical care available without a second thought. Then again, some people are perfectly content just sitting in front of the TV, picking apart news headlines, or taking a quiet stroll through town and feeling satisfied once they get home to a meal they picked out themselves at a local Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. It doesn't matter much, really. For some, quality of life is defined by social standing—being a respected wife, a model mother, or just being that polished woman where every hair is perfectly in place. Others find their version of the "good life" in material milestones, like finally pulling a brand-new SUV into the driveway or owning a vacation house in the Hamptons, maybe even a little boat to go with it. And then there are those who find peace in the mountains, sitting in front of a fireplace with a glass of bourbon, just letting the world fade away...🤷

Of course, everyone’s looking for something different—some want this, some want that, and others are chasing something else entirely. But you can't really compare the grind of a survival job to the freedom of creative work. That said, having plenty of money isn't a bad thing. It gives you a fighting chance at actually experiencing life. More importantly, it puts you in that perfect state of mind—like a block of soft, fine wax—where you're finally able to carve out deep questions and truly hunt for the answers. 😬

46

When The Tao rules the land,
horses enrich the soil with their waste.
When people abandon The Tao,
war horses trample the fields.

There is no greater curse than greed.
There is no greater evil than envy.

Only a humble person who understands
when they have enough,
will always have plenty.

The Bible, Lao Tzu

Brenda Cook4 said:Just imagine how divine it feels—to be someone who doesn't feel that sting of envy or the constant need to go out and grab more, because they actually realize they already have everything they need. They can just spend entire days lost in thought, just soaking in the wisdom of Lao Tzu... that's what I'm getting at.

It’s a little weird seeing you jump into my thread to comment like that—someone might actually think I was the one who wrote it...

Look, you could totally be a monk, a nun, a sanyasin, or whatever else, and just dedicate your whole existence to that kind of peace... I get what you're saying, I really do, but to me, that kind of ideal feels a bit hollow. Honestly? I think there's way more substance in finding meaning and fulfillment within all the messy, difficult stuff life throws at you. To me, that's where the real greatness lies...

EDIT on EDIT: You totally confused me and now my post is a total mess...

briskbison62 said:Honestly, I went through so much struggle before I finally found my own space—I was basically living out of a suitcase, bouncing from place to place and just taking whatever life threw at me... but man, that makes me appreciate what I have today so much more. Even if my place isn't some massive mansion by typical standards, to me, it’s a total castle. And honestly? I definitely value it way more than if some rich dad had just handed me a penthouse on a silver platter!

At the end of the day, it’s all about defining what actually makes *you* happy and sticking to that path. If you feel fulfilled, then you've made it. Period.

Then again, there are people for whom "status" or pouring energy into material possessions doesn't matter one bit. It would actually just be a distraction from their true purpose. Say someone is focused on something entirely different—maybe they already have everything they need, so they don't waste a single second worrying about stuff. They can save all that precious energy for the things that really count, like time... and so on.

Brenda Cook4 said:At the end of the day, it’s all about defining what actually makes *you* happy and sticking to that path. If you feel fulfilled, then you've made it. Period.

Then again, there are people for whom "status" or pouring energy into material possessions doesn't matter one bit. It would actually just be a distraction from their true purpose. Say someone is focused on something entirely different—maybe they already have everything they need, so they don't waste a single second worrying about stuff. They can save all that precious energy for the things that really count, like time... and so on.

For me, having my own space has given me this incredible sense of FREEDOM. Now, sure, there are plenty of ways to find freedom, but—get this—I met this older guy back when I was traveling through Germany, a total voluntary drifter, who was bragging about how he'd spent the last twenty years sleeping strictly under the stars. 😍

And let's be real, most people nowadays are basically slaves to their jobs (plus all those endless wants and needs) and the constant pressure to own stuff. It's just classic societal alienation...

So, I was recently tearing through town on a mission to hunt down this specific, rare book—one of those limited editions where you’re just praying they ever print a second run. On my way, I happened to pass by an IKEA, and naturally, I couldn't resist testing out one of their gorgeous armchairs. It was actually priced almost exactly what that little book costs. This salesperson kept nudging me to grab it, insisting it was perfect for my posture and would look stunning in my living room.

No way in hell! 🙂

I just kept moving, focused on the book, while my self-satisfied companion went ahead and bought it anyway, regardless of the price tag. She gave me this judgmental look, though... "Are you insane?" she asks. "Why didn't you get that amazing chair? You're being so irrational, you've clearly lost touch with reality. Buying a book for that much money? Seriously, you're crazy! You'd be so much more comfortable if you'd just sunk into that chair right now!"

And so, here I am: "insane," "irrational," and all that other nonsense. Every night, I sit there reading my book, propped up on my bed, completely lacking that wonderful armchair...😁

briskbison62 said:For me, having my own space has given me this incredible sense of FREEDOM. Now, sure, there are plenty of ways to find freedom, but—get this—I met this older guy back when I was traveling through Germany, a total voluntary drifter, who was bragging about how he'd spent the last twenty years sleeping strictly under the stars. 😍

And let's be real, most people nowadays are basically slaves to their jobs (plus all those endless wants and needs) and the constant pressure to own stuff. It's just classic societal alienation...

That’s exactly my point. Having those basic foundations provides you with freedom—I don't mean the pursuit of money for its own sake, but rather having enough to actually buy your independence. If you've already secured that, you're in an amazing position. And honestly? That drifter's lifestyle is a solid option too, maybe even better than grinding away all day long. Life is just too short for that kind of hustle 😬

cosmictinker21 said:So, I was recently tearing through town on a mission to hunt down this specific, rare book—one of those limited editions where you’re just praying they ever print a second run. On my way, I happened to pass by an IKEA, and naturally, I couldn't resist testing out one of their gorgeous armchairs. It was actually priced almost exactly what that little book costs. This salesperson kept nudging me to grab it, insisting it was perfect for my posture and would look stunning in my living room.

No way in hell! 🙂

I just kept moving, focused on the book, while my self-satisfied companion went ahead and bought it anyway, regardless of the price tag. She gave me this judgmental look, though... "Are you insane?" she asks. "Why didn't you get that amazing chair? You're being so irrational, you've clearly lost touch with reality. Buying a book for that much money? Seriously, you're crazy! You'd be so much more comfortable if you'd just sunk into that chair right now!"

And so, here I am: "insane," "irrational," and all that other nonsense. Every night, I sit there reading my book, propped up on my bed, completely lacking that wonderful armchair...😁

That’s really the core of it—knowing exactly what you want and what actually fulfills you. And obviously, having the power to choose. Because if you don't have a choice, if you're just forced into things, well, there's no real sense of fulfillment in that.

Brenda Cook4 said:That’s exactly my point. Having those basic foundations provides you with freedom—I don't mean the pursuit of money for its own sake, but rather having enough to actually buy your independence. If you've already secured that, you're in an amazing position. And honestly? That drifter's lifestyle is a solid option too, maybe even better than grinding away all day long. Life is just too short for that kind of hustle 😬

You really have to learn how to separate what actually matters from the noise. And I mean truly, honestly, without letting the neighbors weigh in, or following outdated social norms, or being paralyzed by that "what will people think?" anxiety...

Ultimately, opting out of society can be a great move, but I worry about the ripple effects on everyone else. I know a few people who lived exactly like that, but they left a trail of neglected kids and abandoned partners in their wake. They skipped out on finishing school, ignored basic cultural literacy, science, hygiene, and common sense... basically, their only option was a state of constant incompleteness. Just drifting, constant movement, endless spiritual and physical experiments. In The Tao, they felt completely free. But they weren't actually free enough to finish anything, or make a decision and follow through on it. There's nothing wrong with being part of the mainstream in certain areas. A mature person knows how to navigate that. They can tell the difference between what's essential and what's trivial. Between what brings genuine happiness and what's just unbearable. And they realize that things aren't unbearable because they lack stability, but because they lack the discipline to actually get things done properly.

Oof, I guess I wandered a bit far off course there... 🤣

cosmictinker21 said:You really have to learn how to separate what actually matters from the noise. And I mean truly, honestly, without letting the neighbors weigh in, or following outdated social norms, or being paralyzed by that "what will people think?" anxiety...

Ultimately, opting out of society can be a great move, but I worry about the ripple effects on everyone else. I know a few people who lived exactly like that, but they left a trail of neglected kids and abandoned partners in their wake. They skipped out on finishing school, ignored basic cultural literacy, science, hygiene, and common sense... basically, their only option was a state of constant incompleteness. Just drifting, constant movement, endless spiritual and physical experiments. In The Tao, they felt completely free. But they weren't actually free enough to finish anything, or make a decision and follow through on it. There's nothing wrong with being part of the mainstream in certain areas. A mature person knows how to navigate that. They can tell the difference between what's essential and what's trivial. Between what brings genuine happiness and what's just unbearable. And they realize that things aren't unbearable because they lack stability, but because they lack the discipline to actually get things done properly.

Oof, I guess I wandered a bit far off course there... 🤣

Sometimes I catch myself thinking it's all just too much effort anyway. In the grand scheme of things, everything passes in the blink of an eye. All these massive theories and big ideas... they flash through my mind for a second, but then I'm hit with this deeper truth: it's all the same. It's all somewhat pointless.😬

Honestly, happiness is nothing but a total state of mind! It’s got absolutely zero to do with whatever random stuff is happening around you. You're basically the architect of your own reality, right? You get to build your own joy and decide exactly how you want to face life. It’s all about mastering that art of living!

cosmictinker21 said:You really have to learn how to separate what actually matters from the noise. And I mean truly, honestly, without letting the neighbors weigh in, or following outdated social norms, or being paralyzed by that "what will people think?" anxiety...

Ultimately, opting out of society can be a great move, but I worry about the ripple effects on everyone else. I know a few people who lived exactly like that, but they left a trail of neglected kids and abandoned partners in their wake. They skipped out on finishing school, ignored basic cultural literacy, science, hygiene, and common sense... basically, their only option was a state of constant incompleteness. Just drifting, constant movement, endless spiritual and physical experiments. In The Tao, they felt completely free. But they weren't actually free enough to finish anything, or make a decision and follow through on it. There's nothing wrong with being part of the mainstream in certain areas. A mature person knows how to navigate that. They can tell the difference between what's essential and what's trivial. Between what brings genuine happiness and what's just unbearable. And they realize that things aren't unbearable because they lack stability, but because they lack the discipline to actually get things done properly.

Oof, I guess I wandered a bit far off course there... 🤣

there is no such thing as "essential" or "trivial," at least not in any universal sense, so you just live however you can and pray to God you don't sink; that's really all the truth anyone can claim to know. 🤷