May 4, 2010

Is status quo good or bad?

Just to explain, status quo means the current existing state.

The question of the day is do we want to disturb the status quo?

And if we do, why?

Let's look at our own backyard. We are living our lives the way we are used to. We have our families, some have their jobs, we have our environment. No matter how we look at it, it is more or less comfortable

Everything we do is geared to own standards and what we are used to. So, why should we change that?

I know it would be great to win the Mega or any serious amount of money on the lotto. But can we handle it?

Can anyone imagine winning let's say two hundred million dollars? That amount of money is not just a new car and a new house. That amount of money is much more than life changing.

Could we be living that high on the hog? To get a box in the Metropolitan Opera, to shop at the best boutiques, to eat at the best restaurants, to get a limo with a driver, a staff to look after us at home. And that is just the "basic" rich stuff.

Could we be able to handle all that?

The answer in many of these cases is NO. People can not handle this kind of life changing. We hear more and more how lotto winners go into bankruptcy because they are not able to act responsibly with their newfound money.

We are all dreaming hitting at big at least once in our lifetime. But are we able to face the consequences that come with it?

There is a TV show called Extreme Makeover-Home Edition. In this show each week they rebuild the home of someone in dire need. The new home is totally furnished and given to the owner free and clear of any financial obligations.

Some people can not even handle the free home. It was in the news that some already had their new home repossessed because they put it up as collateral for loans.

Now let's go back to the original question. Do we want to disturb the status quo?

We all want to improve our standard of living. But to do it by ourselves or by a drastic outside effect are two different things.

But it is not always financial changes we are looking for.

Some people change their lives by leaving their life partners. Then they realize that they made a mistake and want to backpedal where they were before.

Some, many, people change jobs then they realize that the grass is not that green on the other side.

Should we be happy or content with what we have and be vary what the changes might bring forth?

I think it is human nature to be curious. We want to discover new things even at our own expense.

We all, including me, say let me win on the lotto and I'll be different than the other losers. I will know how to handle the shock of becoming a millionaire. We'll see!

But I guess choosing to disregard the status quo explains why some famous people have affairs with about twelve women.