”More and more I heard the words: ‘Stop what you are doing now – all this luxury and consumerism – and start your real life’. I had the feeling I was working as a slave for things that I did not wish for or need.”
These are the words of Austrian tycoon Karl Rabeder, 47, who is giving away every penny of his $5.3 million) fortune, having realized that his riches made him unhappy.
I’ve just opened up another free introductory class for my “Freedom of Enough” class on February 23, 5.15-6.15 PM PST and I hope you’ll join me to muse on Karl’s question (which is all of our question) “How much is enough? Of anything? And what happens once you recognize you have it?”
Karl’s plan is to live onabout $1500.00 a month. He has set up a microlending NGO that will offer small loans and advice to self-employed people in El Salvador, Honduras, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Chile. His “enough” led him to investing himself in making life better for others. What would you do if you realized you have enough?
I guess you could say it would be easy for him to downsize a bit, but his choice is radical. He let go of everything but a small monthly stipend – and according to him, it’s liberating.
Mr Rabeder said he had felt ”free, the opposite of heavy”….I was just listening to the voice of my heart and soul.”
This certainly has been my experience since I declared “enoughness” years ago. Yes, due to illness and a significant change in my living circumstances I’ve created a side business for supplemental income, but I can engage with this work in a spirit of curiosity and service since my basic nest egg could suffice if need be.
It’s this “freedom of enough” I’m trying to capture in my classes and writing and speaking and I hope you’ll come to the freebie on February 23.
I would probably do the same thing as Karl. After I took the credit card for a spin in Donna Karan…
My “enough” would be paying off my mortgage, which is miniscule in comparison with Karl’s bounty! The “problem” with getting rich is that it gets you even more rich.