Some people say you can buy freedom with money. Some people enjoy making money. I think that's fine. But the idea that you can't be free without money feels strange.
What do you do with money? It's different if you have something you want to do. For example, if there's a business you absolutely want to start, or something you absolutely want to buy. If you have a purpose, then of course it's fun and wonderful. In that case, I think you should increase and use the money for the tools 'for that purpose'.
If you ride the Yamanote Line, you'll see threatening advertisements! "If you don't have XXXX yen, in X years, you'll become X!" If you live your life by such rules, will you be frantic only about making money? Or will you give up on not having money, or wish you had more money... You'll be robbed of your freedom by "money," grumbling and dying (Sorry! I went too far!! Oh well! But isn't that true?? Lol)
And, I'll write a bit about stereotypes too. Many Japanese families I often saw when I lived in Hawaii, at Kapiolani Park or Ala Moana mall, parents would often go crazy at their children... I sympathize. Anyone would get flustered in a place where they don't understand the language or culture. And perhaps they end up blaming their innocent children... I'm not sure, but what I want to say here is, this level of overseas travel, a trip that you voluntarily choose to exhaust yourself on, for example, if you have the economic power and can do it more than 3 times a year. What is that, I wonder... But if that's what they want, is that okay? I'm not a
I've never really wanted much since I was young. Well, part of it is that I was raised to believe I shouldn't desire things, but I don't think of it as being stingy. However, I especially don't desire things that exceed my income, so I'm not really bound by money. That said, I believe the scope and breadth of my enjoyment, within my means, is quite deep and wide.
When I returned to Japan, a friend seriously told me, "You're screwed without money, you won't even be popular with women." I was completely bewildered. By general standards, I might not have much money. But from the perspective of someone who has traveled overseas several times a year to places like Mexico, Europe, Canada, and Japan, lived in beach towns in Hawaii and California, and surfed every day, I don't understand at all what's wrong with not having money. It makes absolutely no sense.
One thing I can say: I continue to study languages (and other things) on my own. It's fun to go around the world and talk to people. For travel, four or more languages are easy. At 50, I'm still studying new languages.
That's why I have friends overseas, I can find ways to travel without spending money, and I can have a lot of fun with local people while traveling abroad without spending money. That's why I believe that if you continue to study, you can gain freedom. I often don't pay any money at all. I'm so grateful!
I am an artist. I like to create art that makes people want to study it. I enjoy studying philosophy, history, cooking, and culture, and I can learn about them endlessly. I like talking about these things with various people around the world. It enriches me. I am a RICH MAN.
And I think. I don't know objectively if my taste is good, but if I keep learning, my antenna for sensing things and things I like will evolve, I think. Travel magazines? Restaurant guides? Fashion magazines? Unnecessary. I don't watch Japanese information, especially TV, at all. I feel like I'd lose my freedom if I started watching that.
Oh, right, so 'one of the elements of freedom besides money' is... continuing my enjoyable studies. Isn't that it?!
