Thursday, September 29, 2011

What Recession?

People like to talk about "first world problems," and I was reminded of this reading a recent article on the Quarter Life Crisis. Yes, I do believe it exists (and I've written about it before), but when I think about the turmoil going on in the rest of the world I wonder if my peers say in Mongolia experience the same feelings of disillusionment?

The Global Rich List came to mind. It was shared by my pastor one Sunday, and it really blew my mind. The tool allows you to enter your salary and then see where you fall in terms of wealth compared to the rest of the world. I input my salary from when I was corporate and this is what it showed me:

 
Wow!

We really are a lot better off than we think. 

Growing up I was always getting reprimanded for complaining and as punishment would have to write down this scripture:

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. - Philippians 2:14-15 

Complaining still is a challenge for me (hey, I'm a Virgo and I have really high standards), but I've become better at keeping it inside, being thankful for my blessings and instead of flat out complaining, providing "constructive feedback." 

I look at the news and the economy and realize it's not up to president, congress, "society" or "them" to make us happy and lead fulfilled lives. It really is up to us. 

I can choose to be "rich" despite what material possessions I believe I lack.  Tools like the Global Rich List just help to visualize that, and it keeps me in check too! 

How do you keep yourself in check?
 

4 comments:

  1. I used that tool last year...pretty cool! I always thank God for our blessings and try not to compare my life and finances to others.

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  2. Q, this is a great perspective, thanks for sharing...we are definitely more blessed than we think!

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  3. I've never seen that tool; it puts things in perspective for sure. Riches don't have to be monetary; it's all a state of mind :)

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