There is a fantastic line, in a fantastic song, "Omissions of the Omen" by Matthew Good Band, that goes like this: "Somewhere around the world, someone would love to have my first world prolems." Stop and think about that for a second. We are a society of have everythings, and yet we act like a bunch of have nots. Everyone has problems in life. Your house needs a new roof, your job sucks, your car broke down, etc,etc. But how many people on this planet have no roof, no job, no car?
For those of you that don't know me, I am very well off. A lot would say rich, or wealthy. I have a house that is warm, safe and dry. I have so much food, some of it gets thrown away. I can turn on one of many taps in my house and have drinkable water. As a matter of fact, I have so much clean, drinkable water, I water my grass with it. I have an education I didn't pay for. If I get hurt, a vehicle will come pick me up in minutes and take me to a hospital, where I can stay until I'm better, for free by the way. I have a group of family and friends around me that would go to the ends of the earth for me because they love me and care about me, and they know I would go to the ends of the earth for them. I have a carring and extremely thoughtful wife.
Yes, I am rich, very.
Living in North America, a very large percentage of the population has most or all of the things I just listed. Things that people in third world countries don't have.
While we go to the store to replace our cell phone, because it's "old", other people die of malaria because they can't afford bed nets, or simple medicine. As we fill the gas tanks in our SUVs, people walk miles, just to find drinkable water. We ronovate our houses, while people pray they get enough rice to feed their family.
My point here isn't to make you feel guilty, or give to charity (but if you feel the urge, please do). My point is, we are never happy with what we have. I think there are a few reasons for this. One can be traced back to caveman days. Cavemen knew to take as much as they can, because the opportunity might not come again. Eat as much as you can, because who knows when the next meal will be. Hoard as much as you can, it might be a long winter. Find the biggest, warmest and driest place to live, because the elements can be harsh. Because of this caveman thinking, we are trained to have the newest, best, biggest and most of everything. A second reason for us wanting more, is because of society. The TV and radio tell us, the old phone, car, house, clothes, etc we have is trash. We need the new better product. It turns into a status thing. The best caveman must drive the biggest SUV, have the newest house, and wear designer clothes.
I have good news though. I know a secret, that the corporations, government and stores don't want you to know. You don't need stuff to be happy. Money doesn't make you a better person. It doesn't make pepole like you. (not decent people anyhow) I can prove it too. Think of the happiest times in you life. Maybe a great day of snowboarding. Maybe the day you met your future wife/husband. Maybe a gathering with friends. Maybe a milestone in your childs life, when they learned to walk, or talk. Maybe a holiday. Now look back at those times. Why were you happy? What were you enjoying? Did it matter what brand of clothes you were wearing? Did it matter how new you phone was? Did it matter what model year your car was? No. It mattered who you were with. People seem to have the urge to fill a void with new toys and gadgets, cars and houses. They go into debt, and work long hours to buy these things, most of which are in the garbage can a month later. And these things never seem to make them happy. They are happy for 3 seconds until they find out, there is a newer better model available. Then they are depressed until they can afford the new thing.
It's time to wake up from this nightmare of never ending stuff, and realize they key to happyness is in the people around you, or maybe even in a hobby on your own. The two happiest families I know have very little. They share a car. Rent part of a house, or own a small outdated rancher. They don't have the newest toys and gadgets. They spend there spare time doing things as a family. Cheap things. Going to the park. Going on a hike. Going for a drive. Visiting friends. Finding time to do those simple things together makes them very happy people. They love life. We see people that are wearing designer sunglasses, brand name shoes, talking on the newest of phones, getting into a Escalade and we are envious. Why? We assume by having those things he must have money, (which might not be true at all) and by having money he must have a more fulfilling life. But he might work 50 hours a week, and have a broken home, with a wife sleeping with the pool boy, and children that have gone astray due to their parents never being involved in their lives. Maybe the guy driving the Escalade is looking at a happy family, piled in their 1993 Dodge Caravan, laughing all the way to the park for a picnic. Maybe the guy in the Escalade would trade his Blackberry, 4000 sqft house and Gucci shoes, for a weekend with family and friends that cared about him, kids that respected him, and a wife that loved him for something other than his money.
Suround yourself with good people and you will be happy. Don't buy something because it's trendy. Buy it because it will provide hours of fun. Don't eat somewhere because it's expencive. Eat somewhere because you like the food. Don't buy a car to impress your neighbor. Buy a car that you think is the most economical and best fit for you. Don't listen to music people expect you to listen to. Listen to music you like. But most of all, when you see douchetard in his Navgator, BMW or Hummer, don't be jelous of him. Feel sorry for him. He is just trying to buy the happyness you have found for free.
Please listen to Omissions of the Omen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiwrQZ4mVys
Also please watch the Story of Stuff http://www.storyofstuff.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment