I typed this question without knowing  what the answer would be. My next sentence will be after I meditate on it for a while.

I feel like I’m on a path that honors ideals I’ve held since I was a teenager.
I feel it is far too easy to unwittingly, even unknowingly bow down to the idol of American materialism.
I have found myself kneeling at the altar more than a couple times.
A large paycheck seems to add to the fog.
Life was simpler, more clear cut, when I could barely pay my bills.

However, at the risk of overquoting (having quoted him already), here’s Bukowski again:

….then he got a bit
Intoxicated.
He bent forward, grinning
Slyly, said
“come on now, you got to admit you probably
Miss the good times you had on
Skid row, on the ***, on the road, all that."

It’s when a fellow talks that
Way, even if he’s not a bad
Sort, you know he’s never been anywhere.

Not that you have to have been there
But if you were
And once you get out
Almost everything that happens after that
Seems blessed.


I hope it never hurts to give away any possession I own.
I hope I don’t hesitate when called to do so.

[Luke 18:22-27}