Savvy Surfer's Ultimate Questions
What is your time worth?
In Canada, working full-time at minimum wage amounts to $36,000 annually. At this rate, every waking and sleeping minute in a year is priced at $148,000. But how much control does any one of us really have over this exchange?
Cooking, cleaning, commuting, and even moments of leisure compete for the same 24 hours each day. Yet, how we spend those hours is profoundly shaped by where—and to whom—we’re born.
In affluent regions, a single hour’s earnings might cover groceries, a day’s rent, and even contribute to savings for a vacation. Elsewhere, that same hour might represent the means to survive another day or to send a child to school. The value of an hour isn’t universal—it’s shaped by the circumstances we inherit.
The term 'birth lottery,' however, feels overly reductive. Life outcomes are shaped by more than just birth; our choices absolutely matter. Even in wealthier cities, money itself is relative, as life’s necessities often cost more due to heightened competition and rising expenses.
Time then, is life’s true currency. Each day, we trade it for paychecks, meals, and fleeting moments of joy. So what determines its value?
If you were born into a wealthy family or country, your time is often valued more highly from the start. Access to opportunities can mean earning more while working less. For others, less fortunate, simply earning enough to cover the cost of living might consume the majority of their hours.
A low-wage worker in a wealthy country might break free from the cycle by dedicating time to learning a new skill, building a business, or creating something lasting. Across the world, a farmer might make similar choices within a narrower set of opportunities yet still achieve a profound impact on their community.
If time is life’s currency, its true value cannot be measured in dollars or cents. Instead, it’s found in the choices we make, the people we love, and the purpose we pursue.
The ultimate question isn’t just, “What is time worth?” but rather, “How do we make time meaningful?”
Are you meant to work tirelessly, amass wealth, and give generously? Or are you destined to be a surf bum, own nothing, and work less? Perhaps the answer lies in alternatives to these extremes.
In the tapestry of human life, the contrasts are striking: a tech worker in Silicon Valley may earn more in an hour than a garment worker in Bangladesh does in a month. Yet, both wake to the same sun, each navigating their precious hours in uniquely personal ways.
Answers may arise from the delicate and beautiful balance of billions walking their unique paths—at times alone, at times together. We discover meaning in events, grow at different paces, and remain true to the values that matter most to us.
What, then, is worth doing?
As I don’t know where you are from or what lifestyle suits you best, I cannot speak to what you, or anyone, should specifically do.
The life stage you are in and how it relates to your cultural and economic backstory is a more meaningful indicator of the pressures and passions likely competing for your attention at this moment.
Before acting, it’s essential to reflect on our feelings about the world and our role within it. For those facing toxic relationships, poverty, disability, or other hardships: you are loved and deserving of dignity and support. Overcoming these challenges is the first step.
Where, then, might our paths intertwine?
Canada has blessed me with opportunities, for which I am deeply grateful, especially the opportunity to spend my time in the cherished company of friends. The saying that it is “lonely at the top”, implies a longing for a world where our friends can afford the things we can—and spend their free time as we do.
I am seeking people who share my curiosity—for ideas that serve not only our material needs—but are aligned to the needs of those we are connected to. I ask you to join me in exploring ideas for thriving sustainably. Together, we can uplift ourselves and others by taking meaningful steps within our own communities.
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While financial contributions propel this program forward, every reader plays a vital role. Free subscriptions may not cost money, but they require your time and attention. Your time and attention are as meaningful as financial contributions—together creating a ripple effect of change.
Thank you dearly for walking this path with me, as we explore how to invest our most precious currency—time—know that you are loved and appreciated.