For What It's Worth

Ever hear that phrase,"Live every day as if it were your last."? And everybody nods; yes, yes, so true, that's the way we should live...

Sounds good, right?

Today I am thinking about the logistics & expense of sending my oldest son to sail in a regatta on another island. There are many things to consider. There's the money thing. He would be missing almost a week of school - in the 10th grade that gets to be tricky. Then there's the money thing.  Plus, I or my husband would want to go as well, otherwise my 15 year old will have to hang out with drunken sailors all week. Well, who wouldn't enjoy that? - but that's another story. Of course, there's the money thing. & if I go, what about the 13 year old, or if my husband goes, what about his work?  He is the Chef - will the hotel guests starve if he is not personally there to feed them? Oh yeah, & did I mention the money thing? Airline tickets, rental cars, hotel rooms, food, registration fees, etc.

**Note** We are talking US currency in all following paragraphs.

It's not even the issue of whether the money is available or not. In fact, having the money available actually makes it more difficult - cuz if the money's not there it's a no-brainer. Same as if you are rich beyond your wildest dreams.  But for those of us in the middle, it's a matter of worth. What is this fill-in-the-blank worth to me? If I say, "Hey, you can go for a week to another island, hang out while your son sails in a few races, eat at some cool restaurants, lie on a beautiful hassle-free beach, maybe catch a little scuba diving - & you can do this ALL for five bucks!"  Is it worth it?  YOU BET! Don't let me knock you down on my way upstairs to pack!

How about twenty dollars, or fifty dollars, or two hundred dollars?  Yeah, yeah, get out of my way & let me remember where I put that passport...

Raise the price.  How about $20,000? (sliding suitcase back under bed). Is it worth it now?(putting passport sadly away). 

So, somewhere in between $200 & $20,000 there is an actual number that is the turning point.  An invisible ceiling over which point the money in the hand is worth more than the sailing & the beach - for whatever reason.  (No fair soliciting the point of view of the 15 year old, who doesn't lay out any cash of his own.) We should find out where our ceiling is using logical means; which does not mean to say emotions & desire will not play a part - we just need to know how much value to assign them. And that can change in an instant.

Here's where that stupid phrase comes in.  If I must assume that every day is my last, obviously I could care less for money in the bank tomorrow.  NOW the $20,000 price tag does not even cause me to blink.  Of course it's worth it!  ANYTHING is worth it if I'm not going to be here tomorrow!

In my opinion, people shouldn't really live like that.  Think of that guy last year who said that May 21, 2011 was going to be the Rapture.  He had his followers selling everything they owned - & we all probably thought, what a bunch of idiots!  Why?  After all, they were just living each day as if it were their last.  Isn't that 'really living'?  Isn't that what we are supposed to do?

I, for one, would rather assume that I WILL be here tomorrow!  & if somehow I get proven wrong one day, feel free to take my money & go to an island somewhere.  I am sure it will be worth it!