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Hi Jonathan,
I found you by reading an article you wrote for AARP, which led me to your HumbleDollar site and everyone’s articles. Very informative and useful!
I too got a surprise diagnosis of metasticized cancer a few years ago and fortunately have been successfully treated, so far. It has indeed illuminated my perspective on life. I expect to have more than a few months but am more cognizant of what is truly important in life.
I feel compelled to write you personally to offer my own investment advice, if one can call it that. I have chosen to invest my life for the long run, in my spiritual well being. I am a Christian – not religious, per se, but accepting of salvation that will last long after I leave here. For me it is too great a risk to leave my eternity to the “unknown.” There is a corny sounding but valid way of explaining the BIBLE – “B.I.B.L.E: Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth.” I do not know what your beliefs are, but if you are not now and become a Christian, accepting God’s unconditional love and grace, you have a Heaven to look forward to. If not, separation from this. I’d hedge my bets as, there is a lot to win and nothing to lose.
Sincerly,
Kathleen
I’m puzzled by the “hedge my bets” piece. Surely faith is all in or it’s nothing?
I respect all religions and religious choices, but I’ve always found Pascal and his wager quite strange and flawed.
I agree — as a basis for belief in God, it attempts to remove faith, which rather defeats the point. Still, I consider it a clever way of thinking about other issues, because it gets us to ponder consequences:
https://humbledollar.com/2018/03/pascals-retirement/
Great point. It can definitely be a useful illustration for risk management in other areas of life and I enjoyed the way you used it in your article.
I follow the modified Golden Rule:
“Do unto others as they would have you do”.
And I would have people keep their religious views to themselves.
The “Golden Rule” I was taught was that …
”He who has the gold … makes the rules!”
The “original” version I know is: “Do unto others as you would have them do to you”. But I agree that your version seems to be in operation right now. A quarter of a billion dollars can buy you a lot of rule making. Or breaking.
It’s from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:12). It’s funny how many other things people will attribute to Jesus that are actually from Benjamin Franklin or Aesop or Shakespeare. “God helps those who help themselves” is an example.
I always wonder why politicians and religious people think they have what I need.
Kim, you raise an interesting point. I can’t speak to the motives of politicians, but regarding “religious people,” noted and outspoken atheist Penn Jillette offers an astute observation about people who don’t share their faith. He states, “I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward… How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?”
How stupid do you have to be to think they don’t already know some people believe that? I am well aware of the beliefs of Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists, among others. I don’t need a do-gooder on my doorstep. Or my internet.
Mytime, out of respect for the boundaries Jonathan has set with HD, I will refrain from further comments beyond this response, acknowledging that this matter is non-financial. It seems my previous comment touched on a sensitive area, and I sincerely apologize if it caused any offense. My intention was simply to express that many people share their faith out of genuine love and concern for others. I also recognize the delicate balance between caring for people and respecting personal boundaries. Thank you for your understanding.
From Dave Barry (long time humor columnist at the Miami Herald):
People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.
Abnormally Normal: Dave Barry’s 25 Things I Have Learned In 50 Years
Answering the title question: Striving always to be a better person. Accepting the suggestions of others who know me well enough to point out when I could have done better. Trying not to judge others when I don’t understand why they said or did something that goes against what I would have said or done. Trying to set a good example. Always, trying to be humble and to apologize and forgive gracefully.
Kathleen,
Thanks for sharing your faith. I too am a Christian and I appreciate what you did. But as Jonathan said, he wants to keep his personal beliefs private.
Jerry
I don’t write about my faith, just as I don’t write about my political beliefs. This is not the venue for either. But whatever our beliefs, I believe the most important thing is to lead an unselfish life and to strive to serve others. I’m no candidate for sainthood. But serving others is the reason I’m sitting here at my laptop, pounding away at the keyboard, even at this late hour. I hope I’m helping others, but I’m also helping myself, by spending my days doing what I consider meaningful.
As always, well said. As someone who continues to benefit from your wisdom, I know I speak on behalf of many, many others – thank you for all you do and have done. As a minister who has studied most of the world religions and many of the stories about what (might) happen after we die, I hope everyone crafts their own story which gives them the most peace in preparing for death. Some questions are above my pay grade (ie. what happens after death) but I do 100% know that how we live our lives in love and service to others guarantees our memory will be eternal. You continue to inspire me to remember that every day.
Jonathan, an unselfish life is a beautiful thing. What better way to show gratitude for God’s love. And serving others. You have proven your mettle there.