Dud3s

Hmmm, I used to live on that belief, but I changed that philosophy to "The best things in life come at a cost".

I can say that snuggling in the arms of girlfriend at night is one of the best things in my life, but that comes at a cost of the moments I worked for to be the person that I am, the person that she loves.

I can say that sitting on the couch by the heater reading a book is one of the best things in my life, but you got to buy the book and pay the rent for the house, not to mention the electric bills for the heater.

I can say that standing on top of the hill where I used to live and feel the cool breeze of the air around me as I look down on my neighbourhood is one of the best things in my life. But it's not without hiking up with a lot of work to get there.

Being "free" is only a matter of perspective. Everything has it's price, it's just a matter of whether you're willing to pay it and how much you're willing to give that sets it apart from whether it really matters.

I enjoy my mind.

I enjoy the fact that it's free to ponder the vastness that is our minature existence on a microscopic planet in a macroscopic universe. A planet that despite its size is the home of objects, beings and places whose complexities are mindboggling.

I enjoy the fact that as each moment passes, the complexities become simpler towards a point of familiarization: what once seemed beyond my scope of understanding suddenly becomes clear. The moment of perplexity is succeeded by a moment marked by a feeling of relief and accomplishment. Then superseded by my new perception of reality constituted by new challanges, adventures and distances to travel for my minuscule, free mind.

Most of all, I enjoy the fact that my mind isn't free at all, but limited by the same complexities I strive to understand — forged over millions of years by hands that are everywhere, and nowhere.

In that lies my joy.

I believe that people who go around thinking the best things in life are free are sadly mistaken.

The best things in my life - hanging out in the ocean on a board, or racing down a mountain on a board, or even my job ( which came after well over a hundred thousand dollars worth of college) do not come cheap.

Even partaking of nature is not free in reality. One needs money to get to point B.

Relationships are free yes, but at what cost? Cost being sacrifice or compromise.

Not to mention one must at least be able to live, eat and cloth oneself to even enjoy things that appear at first to be free.

Nothing is free, that would be too easy and make life very dull.

Someday I'll live in a small wooden house, maybe a treehouse, that I will have built with the lady, a couple of goats, a dog named Question and a garden patch large enough to last us when I can't catch any fish.

Those things may initially cost money, but in a way they will be free, eventually.

And yes, Joel, I can hear you on that - simple moments spent in perfection with whatever element of life you're attached to right then and there - free enough and nothing can beat them.

Thanks for the feedback.

I have a full post on my blog about this:
Click here to read the rest of it...
Just sharing my 2 cents of thought.

You have to be healthy and without pain to fully enjoy the moments you are speaking of. So no, I do not think the best moments are free.
I absolutely love every blade of grass and nail of this home and land. It's not real fancy but it's highly valued. One moment I love is having coffee outside in my jamies and ratty bathrobe. It doesn't sound like much to readers but it means an awful lot to me for complex reasons. I have the vision and mobility to do this and I am employed to pay the bills that go along with this home.

The best things in life differs from person to person. Enjoyment, happiness, are all manufactured within our minds. It's a psychological experience that I think our minds can control.

Cooper & Auburn have the right idea here. The best things in life come after you have done X, where X has enabled you to enjoy that "best thing" in life. I'm sure that I'm really going to enjoy the day when I can play golf 3-4x per week, but before I can do that I must make enough money not to really need to do any work.

Hey!! What about me? I was the first person here to put that down as well. Don't leave me out of that loop. :(

Oh, Kamigoroshi, waah, waah. ;) LOL

There is a price one must pay for what they feel is the best in life. It doesn't all come free.

A simple thing as looking at a sunset or sunrise, or enjoying a few minutes time, while sitting on my front porch with my morning coffee, isn't free. My house is a home in every aspect, and with it comes the responsibility of paying the bills so I can live in, and enjoy, my home.

I love every flower petal, every weed, every tree and shrub that surrounds my home, but, they do come at a price, a price I am more than glad to pay.

I think the best things in life can't be directly bought with money, but they are not free by any stretch of the imagination.

I dunno if all the best things in life are free...

For some reason people want you to pay to use a wave runner. And all those concerts I love. Dang it. They need to make those free.

Hmmm, I used to live on that belief, but I changed that philosophy to "The best things in life come at a cost".</blclquote>

Came here to say exactly what Kamigoroshi said. Everything -- EVERYTHING -- has a cost. The costliest things are often those which are "free".

Life - family, friends, and the wonder that is all around me.

I need a lot more money to enjoy some of these 'free' things.

You are completely right, My husband and I recently decided NOT to eat out anymore (well as often) and we have really enjoyed cooking together and having dinner at the table. It is mostly free, and much better than spending 40.00 at a loud restaurant.