The Friday Thought
As I watch the feeding - ur - shopping frenzy this holiday season, something a friend recently said comes to mind, “If I can’t eat it or experience it, I don’t need it.”
Yes, I lust after an iPod, I almost drool over the Mini-Cooper, and I really want the new MacBook. But, none of these are essential to my spiritual or physical well-being. And, barring major brain chemical imbalance, happiness is a choice, not a right or a thing you can buy. Further, those people who stand in line overnight to get the latest Xbox, Wii, whatever for the kids and then get hysterical when they don’t…well, they really need to revisit their priorities. Ultimately, are the children going to remember all the stuff or the experiences? (As a “center of the universe” only child, I got everything on my Santa list and then some. Do I remember any of the stuff now? Nope. And, it’s all long-gone to garage sales and the garbage.)
On a similar note, read Dawn’s excellent post: No, really…who does want to be a millionaire?
Have a great weekend! I’ll be focusing on some non-computer related experiences, including the annual Christmas concert by the NM Gay Men’s Chorus. (And, yes, I may find myself at the Apple store…just to - ahem - look, mind you!)
Tags: happiness, Mary Schmidt
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December 17th, 2006 at 6:45 pm
Mary - A timely reminder that enough is enough. I have two only-child nieces - one 9, the other 10, both overindulged by their Auntie Moe (among others). This last year, I decided that when we go someplace, it’s for the experience (not for the Gift Shop). And we have a new saying, “Who needs more POC?” (pronounced either P-O-C or “pock”), which stands for Piece of Crap. We have discussed that we all feel “pock-ish” now and again, and that it’s OK to buy some POC, but that no one needs a steady diet of it. This year part of their Xmas gift is a donation made in their names to a charity they picked.
But it’s hard not to be tempted, and hard not to give in, whether its for yourself or someone else, even when you don’t really NEED something. I’m sure that come the new year I’ll break down and buy myself an iPod. Fortunately, my nieces already have them and can teach me how it works.
July 20th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
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