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Modern life is so fast; it's hard to keep up. Rather than technology giving us more time for ourselves, it often allows more time to be given away to other demands. Although I think our working conditions have improved over the years, especially in the west, the idea of giving the majority of my waking life in exchange for money which we exchange to keep up with the modern trappings of life just doesn't seem worth it. And yet trying to live without it, taking a different path, is very difficult. Money is valued too highly over pretty much everything you can think of. How many people die each year when a little money might have helped them? How many lifesaving decisions are means tested?

I think we sacrifice our life and soul for our jobs. A job' to me is nothing short of a wage slave. To have a life' (dare I say career?) to me at least is to do something that you have such love and passion for that it doesn't even seem like work. It provides an enthusiastic energy all of its own, it's not a chore something to be endured, a means to an end. But what end? Money gets us wrapped up in wanting more and more of it. It's an addiction, you can never win. We get suckered into the commercial, materialistic lifestyles' that are promoted, which promises everything we think we want and delivers none of it. There may be a temporary joy but in my experience this soon passes leaving a pit of emptiness that seems to grow with each attempt to pacify it with a band aid.

Life or lifestyle is about you, who you are. Take money out of the equation and how much of the things you spend your time on would you do out of seer love? Now that's not to say work is our only commitment, many people have children or people to care for which compete with the job' for our time and attention, but there is a bond of love there, there is a reason. To help those we love is innate. But often in order to meet all the monetary commitments love ones, hobbies, soul searching all takes a back seat. Money, we are told over and over, is the number one goal.

I heard recently that in the east (I'm not sure how much it happens now) that spiritual people (artists were often included in this) would receive help from the community in order that they could spend there time contemplating, studying, creating and so forth. Food, water, shelter were among the things provided. This is a very different to the model we endorse in the west. The idea that as a writer I could pick that creative path I yearn for and not have

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