We are who we protect, we are who we take care of. — Sophie, Dan Brown’s The DaVinci Code.
This beautiful and thought provoking quote is an old favorite of mine, and it seems appropriate as our leaders consider The Budget and our nation’s priorities. Rather than get into politics let’s consider what our country’s, state’s, and our own personal budget say about “who we are.”
I’m not just talking just about money, that worldly measure of what’s important, we should move beyond mere monetary allocations to consider the currencies of time, attention, and love, which truly paints a richer picture of our values. Sophie’s statement, “We are who we protect, we are who we take care of,” speaks to the fundamental human drive to nurture and safeguard what we hold dear. It suggests that our identity isn’t solely defined by our words or beliefs, but more powerfully by our actions of care and protection.
When we apply this lens to a nation’s budget, it becomes a powerful statement of its collective priorities. Where does the money flow? To education, healthcare, infrastructure, defense, environmental protection, social safety nets? These allocations speak volumes about what a society values, what it aims to preserve, and who it prioritizes supporting. A budget isn’t just a financial document; it’s a moral document etched in numbers.
Similarly, at the state and local levels, budget decisions reflect the specific concerns and values of those communities. Investments in local schools, parks, public transportation, and community services all contribute to the narrative of who that region aims to be and who it chooses to care for.
Personal financial choices reveal what we deem valuable enough to invest in. Do we prioritize experiences or material possessions? Do we support causes we believe in? How we spend our finite hours speaks volumes. Do we dedicate time to our families, our passions, our communities, or our own well-being? In an age of constant distraction, where we focus our mental energy is a significant indicator of what matters. What do we choose to learn about, engage with, and lend our focus to? The recipients of our affection and care define a core part of our identity. Who do we nurture, support, and stand by?
Take time to reflect on Sophie’s quote. Our identities are not static declarations but are actively shaped by the choices we make every day – in how we allocate our resources and extend our care. It’s a continuous process of defining who we are through what we choose to protect and who we choose to take care of.
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