Zero Sum Game? Life?

The power of things is all around. We cannot wander anywhere but the deepest woods without being impacted by the lust after things, and the marketing that feeds that drive.

At some point, my guess is early on we meet money for the first time. Carefree bartering of youth begins to transition into needing this stuff in order to get more stuff.

At first we rely on allowances or odd jobs to feed our need for things. Comic books, toy soldiers, candy all momentary pleasures, and all, in the moment, life or death needs.

As we grow, so do all consuming appetites and more. To muddy the waters further still the things money buys become a sign of worth. What we wear, the things we drive, as well as having and providing the "hot" and "new" for and to our friends keeps our social credit alive.

Then money begins to "really" matter. As fads fade and real bills begin. Money becomes and obstacle in the pursuit of knowledge. Can I get loans transitions to can I pay loans and eat something other than Ramen Noodles.

Once we strike this balance, or any time we approach that balance life happens. Lay offs, romances, fender benders, illness, family, friend's marriages. Every costs, and to find joy you have to ante up.

Time passes, jobs resumes grow in length often faster than we'd like. Identities change as often as the seasons and sometimes more frequently. The we commit again, love, marriage, bills, mortgages, rent all due, Student loans echo and one wonder's if it was all worth it. Worth, value, cost - value which we hope is positive.

Money is the grease the fills the holes to prevent us from sinking. Money allows is social mobility. Money is the measure of the worth of our time, either salaried or by the hour. Our prestige, or identity all wrapped up in an number. We work for money, we work for those we love, we work for those we would avoid on the street. Money stretches us to find the expectations demanded of us.

And when our time comes to close, the marketing machine preys upon our will to not have our passing burden those left behind. Money, wealth, reputation to be defended even after we are gone.

All but in the deepest woods does money rule our lives. And as in the woods we strive to leave no trace, yet in this life we strive to leave a large dent, and hope it is seen as beautiful.