Mixed emotions, today.
I went to our CPA yesterday. Yes, let's all take a collective sigh together, shall we? hmm. Most of you know I went back to work this year after my era of homeschool/ stay-at-home/ remote-working/ dreembuilding/ ideaspawning wife ended. Well, ok only the homeschool part ended, to be honest. But that was a massive part of my day - and life - since 1999. When my children graduated, I graduated. I'm sure some of you are feeling that statement! Maybe some of you are still STEEPED in the chaotic joyful mess that is mired deeply in that era. Don't worry - enjoy it all, even the pain - because it will end, and you will look back in wonder at it all.
Back to our CPA... the final number that we needed to shell out to Uncle Sam wasn't as terrible as we expected, but it was still terrible. Now here is the thing. I don't hate my country. I can get worked up into a proud, patriotic blubbering mess when I'm sitting under the sparkling lights of a Fourth of July evening - hot dog in one hand, cold lemonade in the other, completely decked out from head to toe in red, white and blue. When "I'm proud to be an American" is played, I just - I well up. I do. Even though I wonder if the lyrics "where at least I know I'm free..." is still true. Are we? What exactly are we FREE to do? It's not the same country that it was when it was formed, and it's not the same country even in the last 25 years. I'm sure that my parents and grandparents would say the same, seeing the drastic changes over their lifetimes. When you compare our country with others, yes - it does seem a lot more "free". But I do wonder if we are all just satisfied with a joint illusion. God forbid anyone disagree with that - the more patriotic would tar and feather you.
The thing is, crypto has brought about a lot of blessings that were simply not options before it came along. I remember walking into the supermarket and seeing the yellow and black logo of the money-sending-systems, where people could send cash to other countries for exorbitant fees. It didn't really matter to me then; I didn't know anyone in other countries. But I do remember balking at the fees - thinking, why is there always someone trying to make a buck off of people in need?
At some point in the last 15 years, the internet finally wound its way into my heart with significance and connected souls across the world to mine. In 2016, all of the sudden I found immense joy sending this "fake money called crypto" across the globe, and began changing lives one token at a time. To me, really it was just all good fun. But I started to get responses in public and private that would really start to shape my life into something that I believe was paving the way for my passion to be born into a new era with greater impact.
But then... Uncle Sam.
At the end of our appointment yesterday, we had a chat with our CPA. She was actually enthralled with what we were doing with DreemPort, and trying to help us in the best way she could to plan for when we would file our taxes in 2024. I got a bit flustered - not at her, just at the situation.
"This... this right here?" I waved at her massive computer screens. "This is one of the reasons why I just want to leave this country."
I know. Gasp. We have been taught since we were thrust from the womb that Americans are "blessed to be in the greatest country in the world." And we repeat this mantra all through school, and don't even hesitate to propel the propaganda into the next generation. Growing up, if someone was to judge our beloved country, all eyes would widen. Jaws drop. "Tsk, tsk, how ungrateful that American is. Don't they know they're privileged to be in the greatest country in the world?"
That is no longer such a widely held belief, but I don't think we are all quite ready to jump ship either. But I have to say I am. I have been ready for some time for many reasons but a big one? For the life of me - I can't understand taxation in its current form. Am I against taxes? No. I pay them willingly, with understanding and duty, even though I can see that they make no sense, and that it is just another form of abuse and corruption that we are forced to endure.
I'm fine with supporting our country by taking a portion of my income and supporting the needs of the nation. I'm not fine with what it has become.
Perhaps an imperfect metaphor, but this is the general feeling I have: If I go out to my lovely little henhouse, and collect eggs from my hens for the day, these are my eggs. I can know that there will be more eggs tomorrow, and share my eggs with my family and friends. I bring one dozen in, make 2 for my breakfast, and send 10 to my daughter. She makes 2 for her, 2 for her husband, and calls a friend to take the rest. The friend enjoys her breakfast and then drops the rest to her mom. Everyone is happy, everyone is sharing, everyone is blessed.
But where I live, I need to "give an egg to the government" before I share now 9 with my daughter. Before she gives to her friend - the government takes its share of her "income" and now she can only share 4, and so on. How does that even make sense? How are we sharing what is rightfully ours AFTER taxes have already been taken. The government takes more - just because it has changed hands. How? Why? Greed and corruption is the answer, of course, but how and why have we allowed it to get to this?
Programming, I suppose. I don't know. I just know I don't ascribe to it anymore.
To me, it makes much more sense to invite everyone to my house, and make a big batch of omelets for them to eat around my table. Sharing, laughing, connecting - everyone is a part of the blessing without having the need to feel like they owe more than they do.
If I can't share my eggs with the people I love freely, and without the government feeling that they have a right to dip, dip, and dip again into the bounty - then I'd rather go someplace where I can bring everyone to my own table to enjoy freely and without having to circumvent dreemblockers. Because that's all I want to do, really. It's what I was made to do. Live, love, laugh, share, support, connect, bless - FREELY. Is that too much to ask?
Thanks to @shadowspub, @penderis, @bluefinstudios, @kemmyb, @wesphilbin, @melinda010100, @samsmith1971, @silversaver888, @lizelle, @kenechukwu97, @jacoalberts, @acgalarza, @blackdaisyft, @balikis95, @alessandrawhite, and @dreemsteem for making the @dreemport voting power go farther! ❤️
images were NOT created with Midjourney because I have 2 more days until my hours refresh, which forced me to play around with Leonardo.ai and OpenArt.ai Happy that I have other options while I'm waiting for my delicious Midjourney to come back to life for me lol oh wow - just kidding - I had a few more hours on MJ for that last image! haha edits with photopea!
Reading your post, I remembered the national anthem of my country.
You know anytime that plays out I have this urge to cry because it's all a lie an anthem of false hope. It breaks my heart a little more seeing little children sing it at school with so much zeal in the morning on the assembly ground.
I'd just go, these little ones have no idea what the country holds and they honestly deserve better. I have been angry at my leaders for a long time, you put in so much effort and get little or nothing in return it's painful but what can we do right? We've found ourselves here, the least we can do is to make the best out of it by turning dreams to reality against all odds.
Recently I am learning to rise above the problem because I have no where else to go or call home. Its a good thing and congratulations to you for handling your situation very well and deciding to relocate. We all deserve peace of mind even if it's a little.
What you described going on in your country is a reflection of what we go through. I got to some part and I'm like is Dreem talking about Nigeria right now because I'm lost 😂.
It is now very clear to me that what world leaders have in common is reaping off their masses and I'm guessing that is the first point of agenda in the summits they attend to discuss world problem.
We will keep rising above the situation because we are dynamic.
#dreemerforlife
I love this heartfelt comment... but i hate that we can both understand exactly the pain!!! because it means we are in similar situations! lol
but I feel the same as you - at some point, you just can't be sad about it anymore - you need to do something to change it or be content with what you can do to stick through it.
Like you - watching the children be born into this fallen world, and have no idea what is in store for them... sigh
you want to protect them but - the only think you can do is to teach them to THINK and truly be FREE in their minds - and know that they CAN overcome things with effort and diligence and faith.
all we can keep doing :)
in the meantime, keep loving!
Thank you 🙂. Love is the only hope that humanity has hopefully they don't take that away from us.
Congratulations 🥳
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Wow!!! Thank you so much @dreemsteem @amberkashif and @dreemport... I am honoured 💃💃💃💃💃💃💃💃.
It's not too much to ask. It's even too small. It's a good thing to share love, enough to circulate the circle without having to slash what we have to feed the government.
Are you planning to relocate?
#dreemerforlife
yes indeed... we have been looking at panama. not sure when - but as soon as God allows!
that's why Sam Pen and I went there in October - to take a look at it with me! :)
and what you just said "feed the government" exactly... that's exactly what it feels like. the government is supposed to be for the people - and yet we are taking care of it, like a baby.
its disgusting
I sincerely pray God make this possible. We all need a place with good governance. We may find the peace we so desire in a new environment.
I know there is no perfect country - or any perfect government on this earth... but I just pray for a place that makes it easier to live in a way that blesses others without the "dreemblockers" at every turn.
And if it can't be here- I'm totally fine with uprooting everything to go where it can be.
and so is my family
Yeah, that's true. Wishing you the very best 💕💕💕💕
Is your daughter and her new husband moving too? Sounds like quite an adventure :)
It hurts to see how corrupt our countries have become lately, though we don't directly pay taxes here but I hear of how it goes in other countries and I think it's not fair.
Sharing love is the best thing we can offer to anyone out there as long as we are alive. I sincerely admire your good heart and pray to have something like it🥰
I came across this post on Dreemport
hi emreal! :)
sharing love is all that matters, right? in the end - its the only true thing that gets left behind after you're gone!
thanks for visiting!! hehe
Hmm! That's true ma'am, I wish to become like you someday 🙈❣️
@emreal - you already are just like me! ❤️
It's funny how with all these complaints about America, it still is the dream country of many of us Africans. The taxes might be a lot but it is still far better than what we are experiencing here. We pay taxes but we don't even see what the government does with it. It's really funny how you think your government is not nice enough. I'll exchange with you in a heartbeat 😅😅😅
But then on a serious note, it's really not fair what these governments are doing to their citizens. crypto has brought so much freedom and really I am grateful for it.
But is there any country with better policies and lesser taxes? Cos I am also planning to leave my country 😅😅
hehehe yes - that's what I have heard from many people who are in countries they dislike.
Believe me - I dont' want to live in Nigeria either because of all that my Nigerian friends have shared!!! LOL
but you know.... its like the saying. the devil you know, and the devil you don't.
we know our devils so well - hahaha
but we don't know the devils of the other countries because we haven't experienced. Maybe if you move here, it would be a dreem come true for you ! hehehe
but for me - what I want no longer aligns in any way with what is possible here.
We are looking to move to Panama - I'm sure they still have taxes - but they are not as intrusive in every aspect of your life - like USA. USA thinks they have the right to all that you are. hmmm, no. I'd like to explore other places hehehehe
Interesting! Perhaps this is one of the reasons Canada has always been my first choice. I never knew Panama is a country. I'll check it out and see the appealing features. I wish you well in your endeavours. ❤️
Thank you gorgeous!
yes I hear that Canada is a favorite choice of lots of Nigerians! I think its easier for them to get into Canada also!
For me - I am tired of snow and cold... hehehe
Panama is in Central America - close to the equator. So it has a stable hot temperature all year round. However, if you live up in the higher elevations - it has a stable warm temperature all year round! This is where we're looking to go! Someplace where we can plant vegetables all year round, and never have to shovel snow again! hehehe
They call these places that are at high elevations on or near the equator "cities of eternal spring"
doesn't that just sound lovely???
hehehe
Did you see the post of when Pen and Sam and I went to Panama in October last year? Its very beautiful - I am longing to start our lives there!
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thank you @bhattg!! :)
Don't hold back Dreem!
:D
LOVE YOU!
hahahaha right? geez. can I please just go someplace where its easy to do what I want to do? hahahahahaha
love you more!
You will find a way. You always do when the time is right!!
yeah - well.... we are moving in that direction, as if its already so! hehehe
just sticking my foot out and waiting to feel the step placed there by God!
until then... loving and dreeming and blessing and laughing! hehehe
THIS made me SMILE from ear to ear.
I can hear and see a 4-year-old putting their toes toward a line they were told not to cross until...
As your toes get closer to the line, your head turns, and your eyes search for the sign that until is here.
You are smart enough already to know you will see a sign but it's so hard to hold back the joy you know will come once until is there.
Deep Breaths! and go get a pedicure Lady!!!
hahahahaha yessssssss LOL
but no pedicure. i don't like people touching my feet hahaha
i do my own ROFLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
but i just took the deepest breath. i'm so ready snook. so ready.
but i guess not ready ready - or Jesus would say NOW GOOOO! HAHAHAHA
You are correct!!!!
Just promise to keep breathing deep while you wait.
XoX
Stop by and pick me up on your way out the door?
hahahaha so you're feeling my heart too huh???
It is actually very crazy how corruption feeds on the citizens like cancer and let them suffocate under debt of unreasonable taxes.
No country is perfect, truly, and this is why we still hold on a bit trying to see if there's a place better than ours. And surely, that we would find.
I am glad you are seeing this and ready to go, God willing. And I pray it all happens.
Taxes are such a pain in the butt and the government does not care. It really is annoying how the government looks us in the eye and take our eggs. I frel you ma'am, I really do
Nothing is ever too much to ask 🙏 Remain steadfast. You know that your dreems are fulfilled through Him, and His through you. I can't wait to sit around that table with you again, and for it to be filled with even more of our family So much to be thankful for already. 💗🥰
I love you.
#alwaysthebeginning © 😉
#dreemerforlife
I am actually not against paying taxes but there are some taxes that we pay and I feel it is extremely high and not supposed to be up to that amount
Also, corruption is now a bigger part of our society and it is very bad
I'm glad you are going to get to go somewhere that will let you be more YOU ♥️ Hopefully you find the perfect property soon 🙏
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that's our prayer!! we found one that we really liked - but it would need upgrades...
but it had 3 water sources and 7 acres of land and its own power supply!
nice options!!! hehe
Something like that could be worth the work... is it nice land? Is it prone to floods or other natural disasters?
I agree - it is nice land... and it doesn't look like its prone to anything harmful.
now we just need to be able to purchase it! hehehe
That will come, if it's meant to be :)
Greed and corruption is what kills the country.
I have got to know that corruption is like sand and can never be swept off.
It's so pervasive everywhere. It disgusts me!
I know right.