According to The Guardian, in 1990 there were 66 US billionaires; by 2023 there were over 700, an increase of more than 1,000%. I learned more about the super rich this past weekend at a book talk, where author and politics/culture analyst, Evan Osnos, discussed the rise of the yacht class and the folk who measure success in boat length and the range of their luxe spending. It is no surprise to any of us that the distance between most of us and this class of ultra rich has become as great as the distance between our small towns and the far reach of the known galaxies. We live, literally and metaphorically, in separate universes. And these distinct livings for me raise a question: how, with such a rising gap between us, and with a general global state of distrust and uncertainty, how do we possibly remain wise about what is worthy of our attention and what is not?
What ought we value?
This question revolves for me around a singular understanding today: if it benefits me and others, if it enlivens those close to me and those far away, if it brings life in health-giving ways to myself and those I care for and those I might one day care for….then it is worth investing in, then it is worthy of our energies.
If it is only for me…I am contributing to systems of injustice.
If it is only for others…I am disrespecting my place in family of things.
I contrast the yacht economy – known by the way for their incredibly fast loss of value – with the scientists who study the depth of the oceans to expand our knowledge and save species. Both inhabit the seas…with very different impact.
What might it be like to pause now and then and consider what you place value upon…and what might that investment bring to you now and to those yet to come?
If we are to steward this world forward, through the thickets of toxicity rampant around us, we ought not be wasting time on what inherently loses value, or contributes only to our own pleasure, but rather consider that beautiful place where generosity toward the self meets generosity toward others. The place where we swim toward better futures, with an eye toward all that we already have been given and what will last.
Love, Maria
