A - Z 2021: Don’t look to the Floor for Pennies, look to the Sky for Rainbows

 

Welcome back! In case you missed yesterday's Easter egg hunt, just go back, there may still be a few eggs hidden!

F is for 

Don’t look to the Floor for Pennies, 

look to the Sky for Rainbows

This isn't a phrase I have ever heard prior to researching for this blogging challenge, but I immediately liked it - because rainbows!

What does it mean though?

You should not thrive for materialistic goods but rather enjoy the magic and beauty nature has to offer?

Don't sweat the small stuff - look at the bigger picture?

I like to think that it's a combination: You'll actually find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow - on the floor (ground), if you don't dread the long journey:

There is a time and place for everything

And

Take care of the pennies, and the pounds will look after themselves!

Sounds like a lot to consider? I agree. 

I find it hard to live as if it was my last day - because in all likelihood it isn't, and what are you going to do tomorrow and the next day if you sold your house, spent all of your money, said goodbye to your friends and family?

On the other hand, what good will it do if you work, eat, sleep, repeat - and neglect your family and friends in the process - for years and years in order to have a house and pension money, and then you die of a heart attack the day before you retire?

So I guess balance is key: safety vs fun, saving vs spending, taking smart decisions considering your individual priorities.

My Mom (who had me when she was not even 22 years old) always told me not to rush. 

Enjoy your youth, have fun with your friends, travel the world - once you're married with kids you'll be tied down. 

However, when my brother and I were in elementary school and getting more self-sufficient, she went back to work effortlessly. She was still young and shapeable enough. 

I have worked in HR long enough to know that businesses don't like to hire "dinosaurs", and frankly, depending on the industry, "old" starts in your 40s.

My own life's journey gave me a career opportunity when I was pretty young, and I took and enjoyed it. Looking back I definitely spent too much time at the office, but again, what are you gonna do, can't have a demanding job by putting in 9 to 5.

Remember, we were talking about it? Can't have your Cake and eat it, too

I made good money though, which allowed me to travel. I even tried to live and work abroad. 

The years, however, went by, and my biological clock was ticking. Hard. 

So by taking my Mom's advice - in her defense, I totally didn't purposely do so - I ended up going through a so-called risk pregnancy and becoming an old Mom, which is OK, it's my life's journey. I just think a 20-something girl's body would have handled the sleepless nights better.

I like to think that I was rewarded with the most wonderful kid anyone could wish for. 

Also I'm grateful to still be employed, even if it's by my husband, which comes with advantages and disadvantages:

Our office is super close to where we live. No exhausting commutes. Huge increase in quality of life!

I get the flexibility I need in order to drive Colin to his hockey practice, following an ever changing  schedule. 

The work I do is OK, but it's not where my heart is. I do like my coworkers and customers. One recently sent me flowers, just because. Made my day.

Working with and for my life partner can be nerve-racking, especially if it continues at home, beyond office hours. There's no escape, especially during a pandemic.

So what do you make of it? Are you looking for pennies or rainbows? Do you believe we can have it all? Let me know below. 

And please, do me a favor and leave the link to your own post in your comment - makes it so much easier to reciprocate. 

Tomorrow we're enriching our pennies. Sadly all that glistens isn't gold though, or is it?