If you want things, you’re gonna have to work for them. I don’t mean that in the traditional sense. I don’t believe you should labor to afford a house, food, clothing, and any other basic need we all share. If you’ve read any of my stuff before, you already know that. So what I mean by “If you want things, you’re gonna have to work for them” is quite elementary in context. Here’s a dose of common sense, and a gentle reminder to work for the things you want.
If you want to be intelligent, you’re gonna have to read. And you’re gonna have to learn. You’re gonna have to absorb information, and you’re gonna have to remember it and apply it to your life and your experiences. Knowledge doesn’t help you if you collect it just to have it and never realize when it needs to be utilized.
If you want money, you’re gonna have to save it. Like I said, I don’t believe you should have to spend your life earning basic human needs, but right now that’s what’s happening and that’s what we do. Unfortunately, to be happy, that means: 1. knowing your means, and 2. living within them. Know what’s important and save save save for it. If it’s hard, remind yourself that every time you buy a new pair of shoes for $80 or pay $60 for a new game or get the Iphone 5stkfjks for $500, you are being taken advantage of. Maybe those examples are too remote to relate to, so try one that’s particularly relevant right now: If you order chocolate-covered strawberries from the TV, your laziness is being monetized and taken advantage of. Because it would have been a hell of a lot cheaper to just buy strawberries and buy chocolate and you know that and your girlfriend knows that and if she’s smart she’ll just laugh at you because she’s seen the ridiculously stupid Sherry’s Berries commercials or whatever the hell they are called. Anyway. Your lack of time and energy is being taken advantage of, your gullibility is being taken advantage of, and your self-esteem is being taken advantage of when you spend money (A LOT of money) on dumb things. So, at some point, just stop. Pursue other options. Those temptations are there to keep you indebted. At least recognize them for what they are: Distractions to keep you poor. Saving money for something you (or your family, or your cat, or your friends) actually need is good for your soul.
If you want a happy, healthy relationship, you’re gonna have to work for it. You’ve heard that one before. I’m aware I sound like your mother right now. Happy relationships are happy because they want to be happy. The people in them want to be together. If you genuinely love someone, it’s easy going most of the time, and the times it’s not, it hurts like hell. But that’s why you work to get back to where you should be. This is something that needs to be said: Don’t ever stay together for the kids. Forget that. It’s stupid, don’t do it.
Lastly… if you want to be alive, you’re gonna have to work for it. Work on being alive, and not just blah. Not just eh. Don’t just exist.
Jami Write 