Very inspiring as always, dear Erika. So glad to have you back, even if it is only for a post once in a while. I too turned down my pace of posting, as it was starting to feel more like an obligation, rather than something I enjoyed doing. Plus it feels like I'm suffering a bit from "Frühjahrsmüdigkeit"... plus I have to ride my bike again :-)

Had to smile quite a few times, when I read your text (twice) as it reminded me of quite a few events and decisions in my life. No wonder I "fell in love" with you from the very first post of yours I read, all these moth ago.

Although I am a typical "Libra" and need peace and harmony to be happy, I usually find a way, when I don't want to do something.. and if all things fail, I still have enough of my dad's genes, and he is a pretty wild guy! He literally told a boss to kiss his... ahm.. ass (sorry, but these were his words), a day before he got married. Well, no wonder he had over a dozen jobs, until he finally made it self employed. When I was young, I had my fair share of problems with him and after I worked in his business for a year, we both could no longer stand it and I quit. I looked for another job, but since I only knew artisting, I had no choice other than start working self employed. Alright, my parents helped me to get off the ground, but there certainly was no red carpet either ;-)

I have a real problem with people who walk around and think, they can buy everything.. and everyone. When I encounter someone like this, I always think, I'd rather steel potatoes than bending down. There have been a number of incidents, when my... how should I call it.. pride (?) got in my way and I turned down a client or a deal. Was going to say "attractive deal", but with what I was supposed to "give", it wasn't so attractive in the end.

It bothers me, when I see that a good hearted person like you Erika isn't living in abundance and wealth. I so understand, when you say a certain world is not yours, as I have been in similar situations and have chosen a small stony path over the Highway. But then again, there has got to be a way to live comfortably and without (financial) worries and still live up to ones own expectations...

Saw an interesting documentary the other day about the unconditional universal basic income. Although we hear about it a lot these days, the idea isn't that new after all. There has been extensive research some 50 years ago already and if R. Reagan (I feel tempted to call him a foul name) had not opposed against it so strongly, the US might have introduced that in the 80s already. Even further back, it was understood, that the resources of our planet and our economies are enough for every person in the world to live a decent life. Reagan preferred to side with big business and is largely responsible for the situation we have today...

In the documentary it was said, that several studies made in different countries prove, that the unconditional basic income solves a lot of problems we see today. Experiments have shown, that it does not lead to laziness and apathy, but instead to more activity, prosperity and less crime... well, ok, there may be some disadvantages too. For those on the top of the pyramid 😠

Anyways, I feel connected as ever with what you write. One thing I don't want to forget to say about the people who can make holidays two or three times a year and walk around with the newest technical devices and clothes you mentioned. I have seen many of them, but not all are as rich as they would like to appear. To me, someone is wealthy, when they start buying art. Not only because I'm an artist, but because I think its simply a level up from the newest cell phone, a car they can barely afford or some other "look at what I have stuff"... You have money left to buy art. You must be wealthy! In your very own way 😊