Change, But Not Necessarily for the Better

Change is, as the saying goes, inevitable.

I was reorganizing and getting rid of a bunch of old bookmarks on my computer today — primarily a method of procrastinating other important tasks in need of doing — and came across a link to an old favorite place back in Austin, Texas.. 20+ years ago.

Well, actually, the bookmark led to nowhere… just as place holder for a domain squatter offering the domain for $10K… but it got me curious enough to do a little poking around.

Omega at the Crossings was an offshoot of the well-known Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York, a sort of spiritual and self-development oasis, drawing prominent teachers and workshop facilitators from all around the globe.

I spent much time (and $$$) at this Austin offshoot in the early 2000’s, and learned a good deal in the process… and met many people from the self-development field who remain friends to this day.

At the time, it seemed like a minor miracle that a place like Austin would attract this sort of facility, but I was delighted, having grown accustomed to taking trips to either California or the Northeast on my journey of self-discovery. Don't question a good thing, lest you jinx it!

Of course, it did turn out to be (at least from my perspective) too good to be true, and soon enough this amazing retreat center in the hills on 200 wooded acres became first a fancy day spa, and subsequently a small division of the Hyatt organization where the elite could spend $1,000 a day to be pampered.

Change is, as the saying goes, inevitable.

Change also happens as a consequence of what people are willing to pay for.

Not necessarily what they want, but what they are willing to pay for, and the two are not always the same. There are lots of things we may want, but that doesn’t mean we are willing to pay anything for them. That's one of life's strange ironies, isn't it?

I smiled wryly to myself at the recognition that I was more than willing pay $750 for a 5-day retreat to improve myself and my state of being, but there’s no way in hell I’d pay $1,000 a night for a luxury spa, even if I had the money.

It was a strangely poignant reminder that I am pretty useless, as a measure of what is ”worthwhile” and what is not, in this world. If I think something is great, you should probably avoid investing in it!

What is important to people? Moreover, what is important enough to people that they are willing to pay for it?

In the end, it's all a reminder that we all have different priorities; different ideas about what makes life good and worthwhile.

Just something to think about...

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great Friday!

How about you? How do you feel about change? Do you have any old favorite places that have changed... and it seems like NOT for the better? Leave a comment if you feel so inclined — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!

(All text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is ORIGINAL CONTENT, created expressly for this platform — Not posted elsewhere!)

Created at 2024.09.06 00:35PDT
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