When Capitalism Goes Wrong
by:
Capitalism was ideally set to run things on their own. Given certain parameters, items will be given their own value based on what people feel would be their priority importance and their assumed value. Things have been working out very well in this system, until we start to realize, things might have actually gone out of control.
Consider this, many of us work anywhere between 8 to 10 hours a day, this does not include our commute to and from work, our morning rituals in preparation for work, and for others, our time spent on some nights preparing for work the next day. Invariably, our entire day was dedicated and focused to work.
This would not be a problem if we are greatly motivated by our achievments, but if we work just to pay the rent, this is where reality will rear its nasty head.
30% of your time at work goes to paying the government, social security, and healthcare, which have shown concerns and issues on how it can be kept sustainable.
A good percentage of our wages go to gas for the vehicle, vehicle maintenance, and installment, which we use going to work. Another large chunk of our salary would go to either rent or payment of house mortgage, which we only sleep in during weeknights, and not spend much time in on weekends, as we tend to go out.
Everyone craves for that prime address and better car without first realizing that they are not really making the most out of them. The real remaining amount let for ourselves to truly enjoy is so minimal that we try to sacrifice truly enjoying ourselves only because there is rent and installment to pay. Welcome to the rat race, no one seems to be winning though.
Capitalism is good, but Capitalism also means we are responsible for what we really want, no one will tell us what to do, or rule us on it, we are plainly answerable to how great or miserable life can get. What am I getting at?
Perhaps many of us have been trained on how we are supposed to perform at work, but do not consider that work is not the entirety of our lives. Many have spiritual, social, and familial responsibilities, they need their fair share of time as well. It is when the greater purpose is being pursued, and not to make ends meet, are we then on the right track.
How do we make this work? Rethink where we have to live, rethink what we have to drive right now. There is no sin in choosing a smaller car, when we ride alone most of the time. Carpooling is better as everyone can maximize the efficiency of their transportation mode, and each one can save on gas. Many values and lessons are already set forth, the only main point is we have to take that discipline and implement it. These are positive habits that can help us choose to truly enjoy the fruits of what we work for, rather than struggle throughout only because SUVs bigger and better, or that the dream house is always pursued and therefore should be sought.
We have to reflect and rethink what we are truly doing. We can make capitalism work for us, as it is ideally set to work for everyone, but we have to know how to make this happen.
If we watch and bargain hunt, it is always good to dream and attain our dreams, but in a sustainable fashion, and if we get better deals by being patient, and choosing the job we love, we become more well rounded with our activities, and when we look back, we can smile and say without regret that we have lived our lives very well.
