professional development versus saving for the future

[KTC]

Just a quick one.. I have been tossing this up for a couple of months and I need to make a decision soon so I would appreciate some feedback.
I run my own little business and there is an industry seminar being held interstate at the start of next month. I have always been an advocate for further education and have been considering travelling to the weekend seminar where there will be some industry greats, new technique workshops and all the usual stuff that goes with these get- togethers.
I usually jump at the chance to meet up with other people in my field, being pretty isolated where I am and the only one of my kind. Its always great to share experiences and get inspired by the presentations and stuff.
But today I hesitate before spending the money to go. My concern is the state of the World, Comet Elenin and what will happen when she gets closer, how all of these things swill affect my finances and whether I should be saving for the future rather than spending for professional development??
I am not living the survivalist way, I am just questioning the spending of money right now.
We are financially stable so this course will not be a burden on us but I don't want to be frivolous with this seeming uncertain future that is every day closer and closer

 

[Keit]

But today I hesitate before spending the money to go. My concern is the state of the World, Comet Elenin and what will happen when she gets closer, how all of these things swill affect my finances and whether I should be saving for the future rather than spending for professional development??
I am not living the survivalist way, I am just questioning the spending of money right now.
We are financially stable so this course will not be a burden on us but I don't want to be frivolous with this seeming uncertain future that is every day closer and closer

Hi fisheye,

Here are some thoughts, but maybe others will have a different perspective.

Further education or expansion of knowledge base is always a good thing, especially if it will help you to improve your business or your connection with others in the field. One thing we need to remember, that reality is fluid, and what ever may happen and how we will be able to deal with it depends on our current conduct. Sometimes it also means to make the best of the opportunities that are available to us now, while being aware that things can change, and rather rapidly.

Maybe you can ask yourself if this seminar will help you to improve your business and make better connections, if so, and if attending the seminar won't be a monetary burden, then I would say, "go for it". It's important to prepare and be aware of the upcoming calamities, but it is also important to remember that we live in a symbolic Universe, and just like stagnation can ruin business, it can also reflect on other aspects of life as well.

Maybe you can also ask yourself what kind of message you want to send to the Universe. Will it be a message of fear, by stopping progressing and just waiting for something to happen, or a message of courage and willingness to interact with what is in front of you by taking steps to prepare, but at the same time continue doing your job the best way you can. Who knows, maybe further education will allow you later to be more of help to others, and maybe you'll make connections that later will prove to be important. Another thing to keep in mind, that if there will come the time, when economic system will collapse and money won't provide the same sense of security, what will remain is our connection with others.

Anyways, these are the thoughts.

edit:spelling.

 

[Buddy]

Since you're financially stable, I'd say go for it. We don't know what tomorrow holds, so do today what will help you serve others better in your occupational context later today, or the next. My 2 cents. :)

 

[Palinurus]

Hi fisheye,

Maybe this quote from Martin Luther could be helpful (see _http://thinkexist.com/quotes/martin_luther/2.html ):

Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.

 

[cholas]

Hi fisheye. I think the state of the world is a very good reason to go.

(good one Palinurus)

 

[stellar]

In all choices we make all there is is lessons, right?
So, I guess you'll learn something one way or another about yourself.
Have fun making YOUR choice :P :).

 

[KTC]

Okay so I have booked my flight and accommodation... and just when I was about to pay for the conference ALL flights to Sydney have been cancelled due to ash from the Chilean volcano. I'm actually not due to fly out for a couple of weeks but this is the second week in 3 that flights have been affected. So, I am going to wait until the last minute to purchase the conference ticket.

 

[Lindenlea]

I know how you feel with the ash clouds, I was dodging them in Europe last year, it's stressful. I heard on the news today that Sydney may be open for business again tomorrow afternoon. It's all to do with the way the wind is blowing and it was very windy in Sydney today, hopefully the ash clouds will be blown way out into the Pacific in the next few days.