Mine

Social Security. What does this term conjure up for me? Mostly frustration, and a bit of bitterness that I'm paying into a system that might not be there for me when I get to be of recipient age. That whole pay-as-you-go thing. Don't get me wrong, my grandparents are now benefiting from Social Security, and I am glad that they are. I guess I just wish our society would think of this program more in terms of, "Okay, it is our duty to care for the older generations that raised us." Instead, even though we SAY that you get what you put into it (which, yes, is somewhat true), technically the people paying into it now are funding the current recipients. One might argue that either way, as long as you contribute as a young person and receive your designated funds as an older person, it doesn't really matter if you get your own money or someone else's: because everyone will get their money when their turn comes. But it does make a difference if you are my age and can look forward to turning 67 (or probably 87, by the time I'm old enough) without any assurance that the system will be there.

But you know something? I was thinking about this today, and it hit me...why am I so concerned with making sure that I get what's MINE? Shouldn't the focus be on having enough to live comfortably and joyfully, without worrying about accumulating all that I'm "entitled" to? I'm not a socialist. I'm inclined to favor compassionate free trade. There's nothing wrong with having a society organized around the principle that on some level, people should enjoy the fruits of the work they've accomplished. And I believe it's natural and good to feel a sense of pride in your work, and it's a blessing to enjoy what you have earned. (Of course, you can argue that some of the hardest working people in the world - ie. crop workers, etc. -don't get properly rewarded relative to the intensity of their efforts. But that's a different discussion.) However, to become obsessed with grasping on to what is supposedly my due is wrong. The more important thing is to use what you need, without focusing on grasping money and goods just to hold on to them because they're yours. If it all belongs to God ultimately, then it's my job to save it, care for it, be smart about it, but ultimately just live and LET IT GO.

If only I actually lived my daily life this way. I'm working on that. Maybe I'll get the hang of it by the time I die.

Oh, and I'm sick of the lack of pictures on this page. Let's fix that now. Since I still am concerned about the whole copyright thing, let me just stick to my own photos. Here is a beautiful pic I took in London. This is one example of the gorgeousness of city lights. Light pollution it may be, but at least it's pretty pollution, right?