He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. – Epictetus
This is so much easier said than done, especially in a time where everybody seems to own every single gadget there is. Everybody except for me that is, and I still have quite a few of my own.
I remember, growing up, we did not have a lot. We had food, and a roof over our heads, but that’s about it. I lived in a town where unless your shirt had an alligator on it, you were nobody. I certainly didn’t have any alligators, or even a crocodile masquerading as an alligator. I hated it and I was incredibly jealous. As an adult looking back, I realize how fortunate I was that my parents were able to keep a roof over our heads. Believe me, that’s something I don’t take for granted any longer.
Now I’m a parent, and I’m torn. Part of me wants to give my kids everything I possibly can so they don’t feel left out, and part of me wants them to realize that they should celebrate what they have. I think I’ve found a middle ground. There are lots of things they don’t have that their friends do, but if they want it, and I can make it happen, I do. It’s a good compromise because they understand that we’re not wealthy, and they take great pleasure in the things they do have, but they don’t get hung up and bent out of shape over what they don’t have.
It’s a lesson I hope they keep learning, it’s a lesson a lot of people need to learn. The next time you want the new phone, tablet, computer, ipod or designer article of clothing take a moment. Look at everything you do have and be happy. You are far more fortunate than you realize.
