Things really don’t make me happy.  Acceptance and recognition.  I first have to be happy with whom I am.  The other two “states” are also important.  You can have everything you want and still be unhappy.  Each person has a calling.  You certainly are unhappy if you are not following yours.  It is hard to do alone.  An occasional recognition for your accomplishments, that validate what you are trying to do is necessary.  It keeps you going.  A word of praise can keep you going for a long time.  That is why I keep an “Inspiration” file.  When my enthusiasm wanes or depression sets in I pull out the file and get recharged reading my collection I amassed over the years just for that purpose.  Things don’t really make me happy.

I Just Felt Bad

Author: siggy

I just felt bad.  I had gone on a rant about the disorder in this house, all the things that I never wanted to come in this house especially the “stuff” we brought back from Austin when her Mom died.  It filled two rooms and a garage.  Our house was full of stuff.  There was also the “chaos” room.

Also months ago my wife had discovered a web site for people to exchange stuff they did not want.  It appeared that for every one thing that went out three things came in.

Her face had dropped after my ten minute rant.  I had a major hand in souring her mood.  I wish I could take my words back.  I just felt bad.  I discounted totally the effort she had made in getting rid of some of the stuff.  I just made her feel bad.

Things really don’t matter.  When it comes down to it, material possessions don’t matter.  Sure, we ought to take care of them when we are here on this earth.  We can’t take them with us when we die.

So what really matters if it is not things?  And what is really left when the Lord takes us?  The love we have shared with one another.  The memory others have of us after we go.

So why do we spend so little time on developing our relationships with others while we are here?

I do not really have an answer to that.  Except our priorities seem to be skewed.  When everything is taken from us what is left even when we can’t get around so well as often happens when we get up there in age?

Maybe the time and love we have shared with others and spent developing during our lifetime.  Our roots with one another.  Why do some people spend so little time on that?!  I am as guilty as others.

In poor countries with a lot less than we have some people appear to be a lot happier then we are surrounded by wealth.  It is just some food for thought.

Happiness is not commensurate with wealth otherwise Americans would be at the top of the list.  And they are not.

I like all kinds of things so what?  I do not have to possess them.  According to the Bible, ‘Thou shall not covet,” is one of the ten commandments.

There is a reason for that.  There is no end to liking or should I say wanting or desiring something (or somebody).  There is no end to wanting more material things.

Observing this commandment puts a halt to desiring more things.  You make up your mind to be happy with what you got.

Money by itself is not an evil but avarice is.  Being aware coveting is a sin produces peace of mind.  You can be happy with what you have.

Less is more.  And there is no end to wanting more.  The commandment not to covet was designed not to deprive but acknowledge human nature and the danger of money and material wealth.

The more you have the more you want.  There can be an end to this by simply being satisfied with what you have.  Then you can rest.