Getting more out of life even if we have less money

He had a sad and forlorn face with his eyes gazing at the sky. I could not help but looked at him. When I passed near him, he sighed deeply and murmured, “Life is truly hard especially when one doesn’t have money.” Without a second thought, I handed him the amount that he asked for so he could buy dinner for his family.

Life is truly hard when you have no money to buy food and the other basic needs of your family. Much more if you see people who are more blessed than you are. But this doens’t mean you have to stop living.

Here’s a story that I would like to share with you written by writer Cheryl Magyar of the Tiny Buddha website. “My husband and I caught the wind of almost a decade ago when we discovered the concept of minimalism and simplicity. At first I was terrified at the aspect of living off with so little money, coming from a consumer culture that defines worth in terms of income. However, rationality quickly stepped in after that initial panic, and feelings of being lost without monetary stability were replaced by a desire to live well within our means. We made a tiny handful of money that allowed us to go to the grocery store a couple of times a month for food, the rest we have to acquire in other ways – learning forage. Every coin we made went toward nourishing our bodies, because health is the most important aspect of survival. When we couldn’t afford electricity for eight months, we lit the kitchen with a few beeswax candies. When they burn out, we went to bed early, only to wake up with the sun. We don’t buy anything we couldn’t afford. We didn’t complain because we accepted the situation we were in, rather than fight it. It is possible to live well when you have less money. Much of it depends on your state of mind.”

Magyar continued, “But wherever life takes you, lessons are awaiting to be found. Here’s the lessons I have learned:

You may already have enough. When you have little, you may still have more than you realize at first glance. Set possessions aside - like pans, pots, kettles, chairs, house and other material things – and focus on life that surrounds you. You still have your family, friends, your health – these are intangibles, yet all important connections. Most importantly, make peace with patience. Slowly move the world without flowing cash and you’ll realize that the world still remains a beautiful place to be.

Less time with electronic gadgets leaves you more room for people. Physical relationships are the ones that foster laughter, genuine love and lasting memories. Conversation flourish in the absence of technology. We can relearn to have meaningful discussion without a cell phone on the table.

Solitude gives you time to delve into your emotions. It gives you time to think about life. Inner reflection is hard to focus on when we are busy day and night, so get un-busy and make more time for dreaming and contemplating.

Happiness cannot be bought. Happiness comes when you are at peace with who you are, right in this moment. Struggles can bring out the worst or the best in us. Living with less money is certainly a challenge. You can be rich and poor, or poor and rich depending on where you place your values.