Which Ladder You Want to Climb?
By Shiva
@Shiva49 (28385)
Singapore
December 25, 2015 10:15am CST
We have choices aplenty though we have to choose wisely the basics on which we build and base our sub-choices on. When young we are dependent on our parents for guidance and support, so we have rather limited choices to decide on. Soon we realize we have the ability and knowledge to choose our own paths in life.
When we are well grounded in terms of our principles we cannot go wrong, or we auto correct based on our inner voice as we listen to it as a matter of course; we are then less influenced by others. We know our strengths, weaknesses, passion etc.; so we are on auto-pilot but with an awareness of the consequences of our actions.
The choices we have include working for a living, becoming successful, wealthy, etc. When we pursue our goals with passion and focus we should be able to attain them. But do we really take stock of our passion and talents while setting our goals and then devoting all our energy? Some make mid-course correction after periodical evaluation, but for others it is a one way street all the way.
Life should be fulfilling and money cannot buy happiness. I have seen for few it proves a liability as they have to fend off unwanted attention and get defined by wealth and nothing much else. They have gotten into a race where few behind are trying to catch up with them while there are many ahead setting a scorching pace.
Life should be well balanced to sustain and money is part of the equation only. Wealth cannot equate with knowledge and wisdom as it can be taken away, but the latter increases in depth, quality, and quantity when we share them with others.
There is nothing wrong in pursuing wealth but it comes at a cost; those that we sacrifice to attain more than we need might lead to our downfall in terms of disenchantment in having climbed a wrong mountain all our lives. Let us make a wise choice or ponder about the choice we have made and make course correction; or even start from beginning – it is never too late when we realize our folly.
17 people like this
15 responses
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
26 Dec 15
t is important to balance ambition and work with personaI life and relationships.
5 people like this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
26 Dec 15
I avoid ladders as a metaphor of life as you can only go up or down a ladder and life often involves going sideways too
5 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
26 Dec 15
When people put money first, there is usually a reason. Often it comes from previous deprivation. I had a mostly secure profession. It had lots of stress, but much fulfillment too. My retirement is financially secure, and I am healthy. Life is Good.
3 people like this
@Shiva49 (28385)
• Singapore
27 Dec 15
Happy for you Elizabeth. I am a finance person and (almost!) retired meaning work life is secondary to retired life. I worked for a person who made an immense fortune, knew his innermost thoughts and he was defined by his wealth. He started with nothing. He used to share with me his innermost thoughts and I found he was quite insecure despite the outer facade of the trappings of wealth. For myself, I am more of finding happiness in whatever I do - siva
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
27 Dec 15
@Shiva49 I have a pension, so I made a modest living while working, but have more disposable income now. My fulfillment came from helping, still does, but sure glad I do not have to worry about money.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (28385)
• Singapore
27 Dec 15
@ElizabethWallace The general trend in Asia is for the rich to leave almost the entire wealth to their children. It so happens then the one generation that made the wealth lives frugally but down the line the spending increases as they are under peer pressure - go to casinos and such to live it up! I made sure I accumulated savings year by year to have enough so that I don't run out of money. However, I have found there is more humanity where there is little wealth to blind our innate feelings; so that way I am prepared to go to a lower too in terms of wealth but higher overall for those that really matter! siva
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (28385)
• Singapore
26 Dec 15
Thanks Gabby, I have seen many climbing mountains even against doctor's advice - what I meant was it is a sure path to disaster like speculative activities. Casinos are the place where only those who own them make money - those who visit are almost sure to lose! We should pause and ponder often - siva
4 people like this
@mysdianait (66005)
• Italy
28 Dec 15
I have a fear of heights and prefer my feet on the ground. With this in mind, and following the thought here in your discussion, I never went off the ground and was content with what I had (and have now) which was (and is) enough to get by with and lead a happy life without the stress of having too much and having the taxman interested in me or too little and worrying about where the next meal was coming from.
indeed if I had the chance to repeat everything from the beginning I would do exactly as I have done up to npw. Happiness is not wanting what others have but being content with what I have, at least it is for me 
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (28385)
• Singapore
28 Dec 15
Thanks for the response. Your outlook reflects my approach to life. I try to stretch my efforts only if it benefits society; otherwise I am content. I posted this discussion thread as I find many pursuing goals that can only result in misery in later years. I have worked with the very wealthy and I do not want their lives or their wealth. They get surrounded by those who are up to no good, to put it politely!
Yes, I too find happiness in what I have than think about what I don't. If I am up and about, I feel blessed. The present moment is the best present - siva.
2 people like this
@mysdianait (66005)
• Italy
28 Dec 15
@Shiva49 That is exactly how I feel too and you summed it up brilliantly! 
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (28385)
• Singapore
28 Dec 15
@mysdianait Thanks, Balance in life is eminently achievable - siva
2 people like this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
5 Jan 16
I read something about climbing career ladder.
If you have a colleague who is good at climbing the career ladder, the rest of you must be careful of "snake" bite.
I think snake and ladder is really a good game, but one that is applicable in life too.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (28385)
• Singapore
22 Jan 16
I have learned that to be happy one needs to be contented. We should cherish what we have than worry about those we don't have. Come to think of it, some items we dream about will bring us only misery like buying a house beyond our means by taking a loan.
Most important lesson is living for ourselves than to impress others - siva
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (28385)
• Singapore
16 Jun 16
That is nice to hear.
I wrote this as I find in Asia few pursuing wealth as the be-all and end-all during their lives.
The money they make serves as an adornment and is passed on to their children mostly.
That is why I admire those like Buffet who insist their children make their own living and not to expect billions to be passed on as a matter of right - siva
2 people like this
@hiru84 (942)
• Malaysia
29 Dec 15
You are correct.We must take wise decisions always, but it's so difficult. Money is not everything, but today many people do anything for money. If we haven't money we can't do our works from another and it is very difficult, because everyone wants bribe.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (28385)
• Singapore
29 Dec 15
Thanks Suranga. We need money but we should opt more for a balanced life. I have seen some crossing over from need to greed and then it becomes an all consuming race to make more and more. We should know the limits. I slowed down when I knew I had just enough and then switched to a slower lane! siva
2 people like this
@whiteream (8567)
• United States
26 Dec 15
Siva, I loved what you said. I have been following a childhood dream of mine to become a writer. No, I am not rich in money but I am rich in pride, joy and satisfaction. I am very happy with who I am. I think that is what is important. Follow your dreams not matter how long it takes and happiness will always be there.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (28385)
• Singapore
27 Dec 15
I am happy for you Brendamarie, so happy to see you again. I could not follow my passion earlier due to family commitments, but then it is better late than never! I recall a British gentleman, who was my colleague at work, telling me he used to write a page everyday putting his thoughts to pen. Those were before internet days and I wish he was alive to share his thoughts with the world! I am grateful for the blessings to know so many across the world - siva .
2 people like this
@vijay_2016 (900)
•
16 Jun 16
If our choices are based on principles and not on results we can definitely make good decisions thanks for the inspirational post
2 people like this
@innertalks (23741)
• Australia
27 Dec 15
Of course the word wealth, or money, could be substituted for anything else that unbalances us too, toppling us too much to the one side. Sport, for example.
Too many of us think I suspect that once we start climbing a ladder,we cannot go back down again to climb up another one. Sometimes too, I have heard, we have placed our ladder against the wrong wall.
Only when we get to the top, after a hard climb up, do we realise this then too late. We are not interested in what's up the top of the ladder now at all.
I see you covered this need for balance in one of your comments too siva
