OK, I want to put a disclaimer out there before you start reading this. I'm in a thoughtful mood so I'm sorry if some of this stuff makes you want to gag.
Erin and I have been talking lately about how it seems that for some time, because of the strain that preparing my thesis has been, I/we seem to put satisfaction and peace as something we will achieve down the road. "I can't wait to get this damn thing done so I can start enjoying my life again." I've been thinking about a lot of hypothetical requirements for my satisfaction. A lot of it is money related.
Tonight instead of running out to rent a video or going someplace to eat (all good things); I cooked a good meal, sat in the bathtub and read (before you laugh, my legs have been really sore), and then brought some work into my living room, put on some jazz and leisurely got about my business (thesis). I was stuck as I sat there by how simple what I had done was, and how completely relaxed I felt doing it.
I started thinking about our convenience/entertainment devices that are so hard to live without and realized that, at least for me, they control me to a large degree. I impulsively check my email while I'm working, I instinctively scan amazon.com for "deals" of things that I somehow am convinced that I need. The way I looked at it tonight made me feel like I have voluntarily plugged myself into a commercial for a hundred things that seem like I must have them. I have a lot of these things now, and I know they don't really bring me that much satisfaction. For example, I was looking at an Xbox 360. I have a playstation that I maybe play once a month, and when I do play it I often feel like I just wasted some time that could have been spent doing something else. It's crazy. I bought a $200 phone because I was so impressed with all of its features, but it does the same thing for me that a $50 phone would have done. I could go on. Advertisers are smart, and they have a hook for every person's Achilles’ heel out there.
I guess I'm saying that these things are fine and good, but I want to be aware of the difference between these things serving me and me serving them (or the pocketbook of the people that sell them to me). Sorry if my little diatribe about consumerism has been annoying. My control and awareness of this stuff swings back and forth like a pendulum. I just felt like putting my thoughts down. I'm going to go watch the Nuggets/Jazz game now.
:)
P.S. I really enjoyed ready everyone's comments about the things that comfort them and make them feel like things are right in the world. I sounds like you all have a better handle on this than I do.
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7 comments:
Thought I should clarify. I wasn't trying to take a jab at marketing but at our own insanity that makes us feel like we need every new thing.
There's a lot of truth to what you say, Joel. We all have certain "achilles' heels," I think - - -getting confused between "wants" and "needs." But we learn that material things are among the LEAST satisfying and least lasting things in our lives.
Glad you had a good evening - - and that you put yourself in control. Did Erin send you that thing about daffodils? The message of that applies to what you said very well.
P. S. I sounded kinda' "old and stodgy" - - -Oops! Sorry. :) We're all way too "human." Just love ya!
Last night Joni and I went to an electronics place to see how much it would be to get an alarm system on her car because the little unlocking device thingy wasn't working. So, after a few minutes of browsing through some cool stuff that I wanted, the guy there showed me that all we had to do was change the battery in the key chain. I felt like an idiot, but in my defense you couldn't tell the thing opened by just looking at it. So I left feeling good about spending $1.49 as opposed to $200. Sometimes the best thing for me is to spend a day or two thinking about it before I buy it. I can totally agree with you on the part about always wanting something or thinking that you need it.
Joel - I love how you found joy and satisfaction by doing the simple things - you sound like you're onto something - that joy, peace, and contentment are things that can happen in the middle of chaos! I can also relate to the commercialism out there! We're trying to get out of debt, so we have really had to analyze our wants and needs - it's hard for me because I can drop cash pretty quickly! Rhett probably wants to know all about your phone, though! He loves new technology!
I'm not gagging - I enjoy thoughtful blogs!
Love,
Melecia
OK.... I'm gagging.
OK....not really, but it seemed like somthing to say.
I'm guessing we all have our material wants. I know I sometimes think of stumbling onto that money tree thinking it will solve a whole list of problems. Then looking more inward, I can see that I have a lot of the things that don't cost anything (or much) that the rich and famous desire.
Good thoughts lab boy.
Loved your deep thoughts! They could replace Jack Handy on SNL with deep thought from Joel Moore!
Glad you're back, we missed you!
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