As I continue to travel along this journey towards financial freedom, I cannot help but think about how we can plan and plan but our plans are subject to laws of nature as well as acts of God.

The recent Swine Flu or Influenza A/H1N1 strain that has affected Mexico City as well as US and numerous other countries poses a real health threat to the world. Singapore is also susceptible to the global economic and health fallout from this potential pandemic.

(Sidenote: If you want to keep yourself updated on the Swine Flu developments, check out the Ministry of Health website, the World Health Organisation and the US Centers for Disease Control.)

When such incidents erupt right in front of me, it sets me thinking about whether I’ll be around to appreciate my efforts of financial freedom.

Everytime major global disasters occur, e.g. the Asian Tsunami that happened in December 2004 as well as the unfolding Swine Flu situation that is happening now, I shudder to think of apocalyptic scenarios that is envisioned in films and media. If you knew that the world was coming to an end, why bother with living within your means, savings and investing, growing and protecting your means?

Life assumptions
All of us go through life with assumptions. We assume that we’ll live an average life expectancy to about 70-80 years. We assume that we will not encounter major disruptions to our life, our job or our families. No-one will be able to say with 100% accuracy whether the assumptions will hold true.

We know we will all pass on from this earth. What we don’t know is when.
Given that we cannot know for sure if our assumptions will hold true and if there will be a tomorrow, then what is it that sustains us to continue on this journey towards financial freedom?

The answer I am starting to see if that you have to find meaning in what you do towards financial freedom. The more I consider the possibility of “black swans” (as read in “The Black Swan” by Nicholas Nassim Taleb) happening to our lives which has the potential to disrupt it, the more we need to consider insurance, so that our loved ones are mitigated from the effects of our untimely passing from this world. But beyond doing what you can to mitigate the risks of such events, what’s more important is to find meaning and value in the daily process towards financial freedom.

Fulfillment from daily actions towards financial freedom
I derive a great deal of satisfaction from living within my means, saving and investing, growing and protecting my means. The small habits that I work on towards financial freedom by themselves make me happy because I know they contribute to my overall target of being financially free. It is knowing that there is meaning in what I am doing daily that sustains me. Because of my daily habits, I worry less about money and finances.

I know that if anything were to happen to me, my daughter and spouse would be provided for. I also know that while I am around, each day brings me closer to my goal.

The process of living within my means has prompted me to simplify my life. Less clutter, less material possessions, less yearning for the fulfillment of desires through consumption.

I don’t live a totally ascetic life. There are stories of people who are millionnaires but who live like paupers. I don’t believe in such extremes. But I believe in being able to save a portion of my monthly income on top of my CPF contributions. I believe in eating ice-cream now and then, getting a new smartphone to replace my aging Treo 650 which has served me faithfully for 2.5 years+. I believe in good health and exercise which doesn’t cost a lot. A pair of good running shoes and discipline to wake up at 6am on weekends for jogging and home cooked meals with lots of fresh fruits is all I need.

Adequate rest, stress management and an overall positive attitude gets me through each day as I journey towards my ultimate goal of financial freedom.

The future is uncertain but the present is today
The future is definitely uncertain. We cannot predict the future. The current Swine Flu situation reinforces that. But we can control our actions today. And our present consists of each todays that we work on meaningful projects in our lives.

What is your current project that is helping you towards financial freedom?

How do you motivate yourself towards it in an uncertain world?

Share with Panzer.

Be well and prosper.

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