Money Changes Everything

"As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment^. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life." - 1 Timothy 6:17-19

"If money were no object what would you spend your time doing?" Note how clever the question was phrased.  Instead of asking "what would you spend it on" it asks "what would you spend your time doing?"  If you are anything like me, this Write31Days writing prompt awakens that part that desires material things. My answer to this question has changed throughout the years. Predictably, in my youth my thoughts were more material. As I advance in age this desire for material things is tempered by virtue and a better understanding of the fleeting exhilaration of the purchase.  But I will not be a Debbie Downer on this post and pontificate on the evils of (the love of) money.  This is supposed to be a fun post and I actually enjoyed daydreaming about what I would do if money were no object.  So let's get right to it, shall we?

• Travel - if it's a spot on the globe I would like to go there sampling the local fare, learning it's history, meeting people and blogging about it. I would also like to go on a religious pilgrimage (Lourdes, Fatima, Mont St. Michel, the Grande Chartreuse, etc.)
• Spend Fall and Winters in a cabin I just bought not too far from a ski resort 

dreamy

I feel so happy just looking at this

• Spend Summer in a quaint fishing cabin, also purchased, by the lake near hiking trails

the life

• Spend Spring in a tropical country where I can go parasailing everyday.  Not sure yet if I should buy that private resort. I don't want the responsibility of managing too many properties.
• Upgrade my wardrobe (pretty sure that takes a lot of time lol) 
• Spend a year (or two) in the Philippines so my kids can better appreciate their Asian heritage and to get to know their relatives
• Take my family on a medical mission. Prior to children this was one of the things my husband and I have talked about doing. That and moving to Alaska, in the wilderness.
• Go on a North American road trip on my newly-purchased motor home, I'm still debating whether or not I should hire a chauffeur because you know, I would be able to afford it
• Run for fun in different parts of the world or the US.  First on my bucket list is the Bolder Boulder.  Of course, I will have in my employ the best physical therapists to improve my running time with minimal injuries and to perfect my running form. Maybe I should buy RunSmartOnline.

Whew, that was fun! I can actually go on and on but tomorrow is a school day, I have a brutal alarm. Maybe I will write  a Part Two in the future. You guys should try this writing exercise. Now that you are done here go visit my writing friends - Autumn, Nicole, Barb, and Christine

*all of the above artwork was found at Wallpapercave
*I originally wanted to post photographs. The real-life images did not quite evoke the same blissful emotions as these drawn/painted pictures.