"The total amount of energy in an isolated system remains constant over time."
I'm not sure why I've been thinking about money this week. It's not like I have any, or need any for that matter. And overall, I don't consider it very important. It is a means to an end - nothing more.
People who think it represents power, success, security or God's favor are misguided in my opinion, and are destined to be disappointed in it. Those who think it can dramatically and instantly change their lives for the better are confused. Only one's character and worldview can do that, and then only if the worldview is based on that which could reasonably be considered universally Good.
But this post is not about money, really. It's about energy - the energy each of generates from the food we eat and the thoughts we think each day. Energy applied to a job or business is converted to money. Energy applied to relationships converts to emotional and spiritual outcomes like intimacy, love, patience, honor and hope - or the recripicals of these, jealousy, selfishness, contempt, rebellion and despair.
I think it is helpful to understand ourselves and the energy we release into the world around us as a gift. I could choose to work many places. I honor the company I choose to work for. I could choose to love many. My love for someone specific is a blessing to them.
It is my contention that our energy - our money, time, respect, affection and effort - should be offered as a gift, as an intentional act on our part to cause good in the paradigm where we release it. And in this context, our energy is not only a gift, it is an investment.
So, be it in the form of money, time, effort, or some other form, when we invest ourselves into a situation, be it work, charity or something else, we should be mindful of some basic concepts of giving.
First, we need to be careful and intentional about where and how we give. Nobody wants to buy a fraud or invest in Arizona swamp land. Let's not invest or energy into dead end jobs, liars, flakes or rip-offs. Let's invest ourselves on purpose with specific ideas in mind about what our investment should accomplish. As with any investment, expectations are good. We should expect some good to come from our investments, and if none are realized, we should modify our giving accordingly.
Second, we need to invest with passion. Having chosen an ecosystem, be it a job, relationship, charity or cause, and having set our expectations appropriately, we need to make our investment enthusiastically and competently. If our investment is half-assed or half-hearted, the outcome will show it. Our return on our investment will be poor and puny, just as if we planted a garden but refused to water it. If something is worthy of our time or money, it is also worthy of our passion.
Finally, we have to understand that not every investment pays off. Investment involves risk, and we cannot be crushed or shattered if something we have chosen to invest in doesn't ever deliver on our expectations.
There are a hundred more thoughts that should go here. But the concept is to consider our time, money and life energy as a gift to the world around us and to invest that gift appropriately.