“Love people; use things. The opposite never works.” – theminimalists.com
Have you ever dreamed of kicking the American Dream right in the groin and shouting “get thee behind me, Satan”? We all realize we are bombarded by 5th Avenue every single day a million times per second…but we think it doesn’t affect us, we’re immune to its devices.
Yeah, I believe I’m resilient to its poison too, until I’m sitting at the red light behind a brand new, red Volvo V-90 Cross Country (sorry, I’m a Volvo wagon guy – yes, they’re marketing works – safety, safety, safety) and I start believing in that instance if only….if only I had that car and a house I designed overlooking the ocean. If only I had a real wardrobe and not things I found on the clearance rack at Kohl’s. If only I could travel to the Caribbean a couple times a year or take my wife to Paris. If only I could pay for my girls college so they wouldn’t have to take out loans to pay for their education like I did…THEN I would be content.
STOP!!!!!!
The most humbling part? I know this line of thinking is erroneous but I continue to make daily choices which reflect my REAL conviction: IF ONLY.
But there is another truth I am convicted of, and maybe I just need to start making certain my actions mirror this belief: relationships are more important than anything. Seriously, this is what brings my life contentment…conversations with the Creator; walks with Sandie; playing cards with my girls and their boyfriends (my adopted sons); chats on the phone with my Mom and siblings; sharing coffee or breakfast or playing music with friends. Time, words, hugs, sacrifices, laughs, tears, smiles, listens…
Do I have the courage to trust in that today (and tomorrow and next week)…or will I get lazy and allow marketing schemes to sack those desires with the “if only” lie?
The opposite never works.
learning2breathe 