Simple Living High Thinking

As I have said before, compared to the North Indian show off culture, I have a different approach to life. Though I have been brought up in the Northern part of the country my roots are in the Eastern part. Both parts are poles apart in their lifestyle and thinking.

My parents inculcated the principle of simple living high thinking in both me and my sister. My sister, being seven years older to me, always have had a deep influence on my upbringing. She always said that the rich spend ridiculously. I do not know whether she said so to take my mind off many things that we could not afford in our early days or she truly abhored the squandering habits of those who had more than required.

However, I grew up with the staunch liking for people who did not care two hoots about what the world thought about them if they did not have enough. I jell well with people who are down to earth but have a wealth of knowledge and humility.

I cannot get along with people who flaunt money and power. I have certain issue with authoritarianism. I dislike being ordered around and interfered with. I can wager my life if you ask me with a smile. But I hate being taken lightly or bullied or not attended with respect.

Similarly, I have a lot of respect for those who are worthy, wise and carry themselves with dignity. I do not distinguish people on the basis of material worth. Values and virtues are more dear to me.

I hate limelight. As I have said before I do not believe in boasting and bragging. I’d rather be low profile at work. But when it comes to work I put a premium on quality.

Frugal and miserly are not the same. If I say I live frugally it means I do not invest in lavishness. I learnt very early that money is merely an instrument to fulfill the necessities and meet the exigencies without extending the begging bowl in front of others. One should have enough to enjoy what one wants to enjoy but within limits. Neither should one feel deprived nor go overboard with luxury.

Aristotle’s golden mean is the best path in relationship as well as in how I choose to live.

I do not mind if people have a different lifestyle but I am quite happy not being a part of it.

Now the question could be what would life have been if I really had that kind of money. Firstly, I would have respected and cared for the surplus left to me by my ancestors because such accumulated wealth only happens when generations earn and conserve for their successors. I would have been cautious with the money earned with blood and sweat of my predecessors. My foremost endeavour would have been to generate and add more using the capital I had. Lead a comfortable life and nurture hobbies which incurred a little more than ‘ordinary’ expenditure. However, I would definitely have equipped myself with more knowledge and qualifications and never given up on hard work just because I had sufficient to laze around. Last but not the least, I would not have ignored or forgotten the fact that there were many who deserved more than what they had and I would have sincerely made effort to build sustainable resources which could benefit them steadfastly.

I hope I have given adequate glimpse of what I am and the principles I live by and what my outlook and ideal preferences will be if I am in possession of more.

Pic from Pixabay