Life is not Material

Clive was a banker. He loved his job because it dealt with money, and who wouldn't love money. He spent all of his time at the bank learning the in and outs of making profit. His hard work payed off. He had been the most successful employee at his bank for the last three years, and his name is well-known in his field of work. He has enough money to buy an island off the coast of Hawaii, and took his vacation there every so often. Life was good for Clive. Clive's best friend Jim worked an administrative job with work hours from 9:00-5:00, Monday to Friday. Clive tried to pursuade Jim to work at the bank, where for sure in a couple years time he would be able to double his pay check, but Jim refused. Jim liked his job, he gets to spend his time after work and the weekends with his wife and kids. Clive tells Jim, "But if you are willing to work long hours at the bank you can get your family a bigger home and money for the things your kids like doing.” Jim without hesitation laughs gently and says, "Yes that is true, but I don't want to miss out on my kids growing up. I want to be there every step of the way. I want to be at my kids' wedding and have them remember that I was there for their first soccer game, to teach them how to ride a bike and to meet their partner for the first time with the “dad” questions. Money is good, but life is greater. I would like to live life with no regrets. I think my odds are pretty good so far, what do you think Clive?" Clive smiled and thought, "The odds are pretty good, you have everything to gain and nothing to lose."