How to Live a Rich Life in Today’s Rapidly Changing World
Revisiting Values and Vocation
Have you heard the quote: “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation, and go to the grave with the song still in them.”? Or the more widely shared variation: “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.”?
This quote comes from Henry David Thoreau’s book, Walden, specifically, from Chapter 1 titled “Economy”. Thoreau wrote this book in 1854, yet this quote is still relevant today. To understand its relevance, is to understand its meaning…
Thoreau captures an observation that most people live unfulfilling lives, because of misplaced values and meaningless work. What’s more, misplaced values often mobilize meaningless work, and meaningless work often mobilizes misplaced values.
For example: someone might pursue (and stay at) a meaningless job because it pays well. This money is then spent on designer clothes for purposes of pursuing superficial, social status. This cycle is (often) perpetual. The value, or premium, placed on these pursuits ultimately leads to unfulfillment and unhappiness. Both the means and the end are corrosive. This is relevant today, just the same as it was in 1854. But here’s what’s different today…
“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” — Thoreau
The world is changing at warp speed, due to technological advancements and societal shifts and these invisible (intangible) forces are creating visible (tangible) changes around us. As a result, people are revisiting and redefining much of their lives, taking into consideration this emergent shape of reality. These outside changes are encouraging inside changes; encouraging us to turn inward and reflect. And this reflection enables revision, thoughtful revision.
Thoughtfully revising your values and vocation is no small feat, but leading a life of quiet desperation can feel like substantial defeat. For this reason, it’s worth flying into abstract stratospheres to gain perspective for your desired destination in life. Otherwise, you may find yourself taxying through life; never truly getting off the ground. Sometimes you have to soar to great heights, to arrive at great destinations.
Let’s fly into abstraction and explore how your values and concept of wealth define the richness of your life: first stop, values; second stop, wealth; and final destination, life.
