Living a simpler life - worth reading
Have we really become too materialistic ?
What are your thoughts about this guy ?
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Tom Shadyac changed his life dramatically after a bicycle accident in 2007 left him hyper-sensitive to light and noise, opting out of a lavish Hollywood lifestyle in favor of a simpler living situation.
The director moved out of his 17,000-square-foot mansion in Pasadena and into a 1,000-square-foot mobile home at a trailer park in Malibu.
He also traded his private jet for a bicycle and began to give away much of his possessions and money.
Speaking to CBS about his new life, he said: 'I believe I was my least successful when I "had it all." I was listening to the social notes of wealth which is all these private jets mansions, a lot of stuff.
'I didn't need a private jet. It costs $44,000 to fly for an hour and a half, someone doesn't even make that in a year.'
So he opened a homeless shelter in Virginia, gives to charities that fight poverty, protects the environment and animals.
'The more I give away the wealthier I feel,' he said. 'For everything I "gave up", so much more was returned. The trappings of fame and fortune are exactly that - a trapping. It's called the spoils of success for a reason.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2320451/Tom-Shadyac-Ace-Ventura-...
britexpat... not entirely... back home there are people who still save for the next generation, their children and no harm in that IMO...I may end up doing the same, never know....:)
However, as you said, I also do not let go of things that I think or feel I should have or would like to enjoy, subject to they are within my capacity to have.
child or parents, simple are royal, giver or taker....it's not me or you but the God, ever so merciful ever so benevolent, does it all;
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:P
Gone are the days of saving for the next generation. Live a simple life no. Enjoy comforts. You never know which day may be your last..
You may have a point when it comes to simply leaving behind tangible wealth for our children, but being a mom I still have to do my duty towards my child. And my spending on her education is after all one of my responsibilities as a parent, and for that one does require quite a lot of money these days!
That said, there is nothing wrong in anyone working towards having wealth, provided they also acquire wisdom in spending their wealth wisely!
There is nothing wrong in living a Royal life with the money you make...and nothing wrong in living a simple life and giving the rest for the needy...to each his own...whatever makes one Happy..it depends solely on individual perception...
"If nothing else so it will keep me and my inheritors free of debts and dependence on other people"...for the inheritors part there is a saying in hindi (my language) which goes:
"poot sapoot to kyon dhan sanchaya, poot kapoot to kyon dhan sanchaya"...
meaning:
'Why save money for the child, if it is capable it will earn for itself and if he is not capable he will squander whatever is given to him'.
BTW personally I would take nads way of living, living like a Royalty...:)
It has been the story of my life. Sacrificing many vain and materialistic pleasures for something I deem far more worthier. And just like Tom Shadyac says "For everything I "gave up", so much more was returned"
That said I still aspire to have wealth and property. If nothing else so it will keep me and my inheritors free of debts and dependence on other people. And I always pray to be one who helps others, rather than seeks the help of others.
giving n taking both are pleasing if done appropriately :)
He did great...cut down his expenses.. with that he built a homeless shelter... but not many can do that...
thlonious ..have you read the book 'living with the Himalayan Masters'? you may like it..
Painther .. we have a saying that our left hand should not know what your right hand is giving... so obviously what we give is not announced in public or in pvt for that matter.:)what others think about us is irrelevant...
thelonious .. I also read that book after you said that it changed your life...nothing changed in me..:)
Painther its not 'willing' which is higlighted its GIVE which is highlited..
what I meant is there is a lot of difference between Bill Gates giving 1 BN dollars for Charity and a poor man giving his food to another hungry man.
GG, this maybe true but very rarely or when you have achieved something in life, you get these feelings.
In my case, not yet :)
nad... you get fed of it after a while...materialistic things wont give you any happiness...
Maybe its true in his case... but if we live with fact that all this luxuries are momentary ... we will think differently...
"Its not how much Money or the assets you are giving away..…its the willingness to GIVE that counts…"
hehehehe...LOL.
Ok, I do nothing GOOD, just 'willing' to do good,.... sounds like preaching ..lol
[in my last incarnation, I heard it was like this- it's not how much you talk/willing to give but what counts is what exactly you give away in REAL ]; time's changed surely!!
"Its not how much Money or the assets you are giving away..…its the willingness to GIVE that counts…"
Well said..
He did this coz of his near death experience.
People have been doing stranger things when they come back from the brink of death.
But given a choice of living Simple or living like Royalty, I would choose Royalty any day.
Someday my perception might change, u never know :)
Wow..Hats off to him..what a great gesture..
I don’t have 17000 sq ft Mansion either ... but I still wish to give it all I have and go and live close to the nature... and serve the under privileged. Wishful thinking...:( I should have thought about this before marriage..:)
Its not how much Money or the assets you are giving away..…its the willingness to GIVE that counts…
painther is right..the law of diminishing returns works everywhere!!
Agreed, some major incidents in life do change our views for good.
but on a serious note, I see people going crazy for money to the level that they forget why are they dieing to get that 'money' !!
IMO it's pure stupidity.
You cynic.. :o)
I do believe that we sometimes forget about what we really need and aim for what others feel we need ...
I bet I'll do the same once I own 17,000-square-foot mansion & private jet, without the need of having met an accident (to open his eyes :D)......!!
until then let me strive to have 'em all :)
He is divorced...
If someone could take a decision as Tom the person must be brave and specially he may need a good heart which awarded away from ego n high pride, we call him a perfect Human!
Hats off to him...
Was he single? Did he have a family??
Most of us do all those stuffs to earn money to look after our family. Though it's a lame excuse for not doing anything for the less fortunate..