Time Spent

I listened to a book recently where the author says that money is the quantification of our values.

And I think that's so right.

So on the nose.

What we spend our money on is what we value and our values.

After the bare necessities, but even there, too.

Our stinginess might show us, by its lack, how little we value something or someone.

It works the other way, too.

As most things do.

How we spend in excess, and on what and who, is telling as to what and who we find valuable.

And I suppose it works for more important areas than money.

It works on how we quantify our time, thought, and attention.

What we spend our time on, thinking about, and attending to is a quantification of our life values.

Or, it should be, ideally.

So I think the right questions to ask are some derivation of the following:

What values am I expressing with how I spend money?

What values am I expressing with how I spend time?

What values am I expressing when I contemplate?

What values am I expressing when I am in the zone?

If you answer these, and do not like the answers, or at least decide that you can optimize and iterate on them, well I think that's time and money well spent.

In role playing games, you can tally your life values by what are sometimes called experience points (XP). And while there are always trackers for money and items, it is ultimately your XP tally that measures and quantifies your character's life story.

As much as I love valuable stuff, I think we need a real-life XP counter.

We need a better way to quantify our value and values.

You spend enough time on this earth, you know what I'm talking about.

From highest high to lowest low, you will find that good people are everywhere (and its corollary).

And age ain't it.

Seen plenty of level one senior citizens.

So how do we quantify good character?

A good soul?

A person worth it?

Money is an easy quantifier.

But I say a terrible one.

We need a better measuring stick.

How you invest your time. Your energy. Your perspective.

This is more in nature of what I think truly brings rewards.

What's in your heart, human?

And do you show it by how you spend your life?

Of course, this presupposes a lot of things.

Presupposes you have enough to get by.

And that is a silly presupposition, as presuppositions go.

Those of you still fighting this fight are probably snickering.

Must be nice to think about your values when I am out here just trying to survive.

And to that I say:

You're right.

It is nice.

A luxury.

One I hope you find.

For I was once in your shoes/sandals/flip-flops/probably boots.

I would say it'll get better but I don't know if it will.

I will say I was an awful quantifier of my values.

And now I feel guilty buying a budget tablet from Lenovo.

Just kidding.

I love them little sheets.

Like toilet paper.

Almost disposable.

And so this is a forever (t)issue.

At least while we walk the earth.

Why are you reading this musings column?*

Don't you have anything better to do?**

* Thank you for reading.

** Seriously though. Even playing video games might be better.