The Spark of Life Witnessing American Economic Evolution
Lanes of cars draw rivers of steel endlessly. The air offers toxic fumes as life support. The ground in which she stands is desolate.
THE SETTING
Long ago this land knew a serene setting. Hills stretched as long as the eye could see. Rivers here drew more than fresh water in the past. These rivers supported life in and out of the waters. The rivers represented a life blood to and from an interconnected world.
Birds chirped songs of mourning. People walked amongst animal neighbors.
Fish knew a route to track.
Trees dotted the landscape.
A special tree would come to be in this area. A tree which would form the epicenter of the world later on in life. As all good things take time to develop so would this tree.
From one tree a seed fell which would bear the future of this area.
This seed was from a time before overseas settlers came. This seed was before the times of industrialization. This seed was from a world not seen before.
Many only read of what this world once looked like. Many only imagine what she is. Few have knowledge to see her for what she is. From this seed she would be born. She would come to represent what many of us have forgotten. She would come represent how rare our condition once was. Although she would not see her appreciate right away it would come at some point.
THE ARRIVAL
Men from across the seas came long ago. Hunger and starvation first visited them. People local to the area created life support for them. Taught them how to live. These overseas settlers would survive through the kindness of others.
Our seed would witness these scenes. The seed birthed our tree during these times. She would take hold and sprout during these times.
The method in which early settlers supported themselves were through trapping, trading furs & fishery exports.
The climate was conducive for her growth. Through the century she began to grow. She witnessed sisters, mothers and cousins become harvested due to their scarcity. Her cousins were oak. Oak was a material was rare during this time. The men who once came from across the seas demanded her skin to support their ships.
The value of oak was high during this time.
She was spared. Her purpose was for something other than boat work. She was not designed to be shaped by just anyone.
Gradually her life began to change.
INDUSTRIALIZATION
As her life progressed, she watched people work. These people created pillars of steel and bricks of stone. Men of this time sought to scrape the sky. From these skyscrapers billows of smoke blew. Their exhaust began to make air difficult to breathe.
From the year 1850 and on her air was labored, toxic and difficult to manage.
They did this to grow their economy. In the 1820’s textile mills were created to support agriculture and commerce. The 1860’s created over 30,000 miles of rail which would support various commerce. It was at this time her once isolated place became surrounded with houses, streets and pedestrians.
As time passed, she entered the 1900’s. More buildings were built, cars were assembled, and the population grew around her.
No more was she surrounded by trees of her family, animal neighbors who depended on her or people who would pray beneath her.
She saw change in people’s activities. Factories were replaced by financial centers in the 1940’s and banking became the craze.
She still remembers when 24 people sat underneath her to sign her name to an agreement. They called her a “Buttonwood” and named their agreement after her.
Now this gaggle of disorganization had become what some people called a 16 trillion-dollar market capitalization market. They call it the New York Stock Exchange.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VALUE & WORTH
Although people disregard her significance through time, she knew her self-worth. There is a distinct difference between value and worth.
Value is what others determine the value to be.
Worth is what you determine yourself intrinsically to be.
It is possible to be valuable and have low self-worth. Conversely it is possible to be full of self-worth and have little value to anyone.
Her oak family once faced extinction due to the demand of their lumber in shipbuilding. Now oak maintains a modest market demand. The value of oak has change through time but not its worth.
Her worth has always been high, but her value has changed. Some do not see her as she once was. Others say she is only good for hanging around. It wasn’t until a man stopped to admire her once more, to etch something into forever, she might rekindle some of her scarcity value.
For she is a teacher. She is a teacher of history and words. Some call it language arts. In this sense it is possible to know the difference between high value and high worth. These two concepts are not always the same.
As time changed the American economy it will also change the value of things you find full of intrinsic worth. To have high value you need only understand another’s desire. To have high worth there must be something substantial.
Cosmetics are very valuable, but they have no intrinsic worth. For what does a lip gloss really cost? Remember what you pay for is not always worth it.
To your knowledge success!
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About Christopher: Christopher Knight Lopez is a Professional Entrepreneur. Christopher has opened over 7 businesses in his 14-year career. Christopher’s purpose is to take advantage of various market-driven opportunities. Christopher is a certified Master Project Manager (MPM), Master Financial Planner (MFP) and Accredited Financial Analyst (AFA). Christopher previously held his Series 65 securities license examination. Christopher also has his General Lines — Life, Accident, Health & HMO. Christopher has managed a combined 286mm USD in reported Assets Under Management & Assets Under Advisement. Christopher has work experience in 29 countries, raised over 50mm USD for various businesses, and grossed over 8.0mm in his personal career. Christopher worked in the highly technical industries of: biotechnology, finance, securities, manufacturing, real estate, and residential mortgages. Christopher is a United States Air Force Veteran. Christopher has a passion for family, competitive sports, fishing, martial arts and advocacy for entrepreneurs. Christopher provides self-help classes for up-and-coming entrepreneurs. Christopher’s passion to mentor comes from belief that entrepreneurs need guidance. The world is full of conflicting information about entrepreneur identity. See more at www.christopherklopez.com.
Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a form of investment advice or financial advice. Do not apply this situation to your own personal circumstance. Various risks include: business risk, investment risk, political risk, and other risks. This information is for informational and educational purposes only. Please do not reach out to the author for any investment strategies or philosophies. Please consult your own financial advisor or legal advisor for your own circumstance. Not a recommendation or endorsement of any kind.
