And its incredible payoff
Blogger Captain Capitalism, in keeping with these financial times, is encouraging readers to go on a "financial fast" where "starting October 31st, people will have to live on less than $5 a day discretionary spending for two weeks (discretionary meaning outside the mortgage, car payment and various utility bills)."
What I found more relevant than the fast was why Captain Capitalism initiated this "holiday." He talks about his student days, when he worked very long hours for minimal pay, went to school full time, and graduated in 31/2 years. He said he went to MacDonald's only four times during his college years because it was too expensive. Just read his account which is quite exemplary.
How many times in our lives have we worked so hard, so intensely, and with such a purpose that we literally could move mountains in the process? What does it cost for us to work like that now? Are we now in a nation of entitlements, where debt and not balancing our checks, is just a matter of fact? And hard work to buy that house is no longer felt necessary in these days of borrowed money?
And yes, there have been times, during and after student life, when I feel I have worked at the level that Captain Capitalism describes, and the incredible sense of satisfaction after accomplishing the near impossible.