The Mighty Mississippi
When you can’t have what you want, it’s time to start wanting what you have. ~~Kathleen A. Sutton
The last couple of weeks have been tough for me. It’s been hard to focus on what I do have as opposed to what I don’t have. I know my thought process is a bit exaggerated but it seems like everyone around me has a great career, is traveling to exotic places, and spending money on fun. So many people I know own homes and although I know I’m probably imagining it, I feel like I’m looked down on by some because I’m a renter.
This society really does a number on you when you don’t possess any of the ingredients that make up the so called “American Dream.” You’re rarely acknowledged. I’m usually pretty good at not letting my lack of social status and material wealth bother me but sometimes it does begin to get to me. I’m human and every once and a while you just want some validation.No one ever says anything to you like gee it’s so great that you are a spiritual person or how wonderful that you and your husband share a car and are doing your part to lessen your carbon footprint. Instead, society celebrates home ownership, the kind of car you drive, how much money you make, where your kids go to school, and whether or not you have managed to pull off the latest look crammed down our throats by Madison Avenue advertising.
No wonder we have so many people in this country who feel less than. People want to believe their lives count for something. They want to feel needed and useful. Our extremely materialistic culture makes it difficult for anyone on a different path other than what the status quo deems acceptable to feel like their life is valuable.
After allowing myself to stay in such a dark place for the last couple of weeks, I have now caught my second wind. I refuse to feel less than. I must reconnect with my value system. My values reflect living simply and following a spiritual path. If any earthly treasures happen to come my way that’s great. And what if they don’t? In the big picture does it really matter if I ever own a home? Does it really matter if I have a prestigious career? Does it really matter if I can’t afford to jet-hop around the world three-four times a year and spend weekends in the desert?
I’m making an effort to focus on what I do have and not dwell on what I feel is lacking. For now I will concentrate on not being bogged down with the upkeep of multiple material items and the hassles of managing a career and complex finances. I will savor my free time, the fun I have with my husband, my pets, living in a state with beautiful weather, and the time I spend with my good friends. I think this is called wanting what you have. There was actually a book that came out several years ago called How to Want You Have by Timothy Ray Miller. I think I need to get a copy of that book and study it closely. Wanting what we have is hard work, especially when we live in a society that constantly encourages us to want more. What I have is really not that important. What’s important is the person I am and what’s in my heart.
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