The Katywompus Journal Observing Life's Little Quirks by Diane Moody |
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Entry #30: It's Not About the Stuff
does it make a sound? If a Rolls Royce is parked in my garage and no one sees it, did I waste my money? Last week I discussed things people do to get noticed. Let's go a step further and explore the idea of personal identity based on "stuff." I should preface this discussion with a disclaimer. These are my personal opinions. If I should step on your toes, be assured I'm not talking about you personally. That said, I hope that what you have doesn't equal who you are. Let's start with vehicles - the automobiles, motorcycles, or trucks we drive. For most folks, these are nothing more than a set of wheels to take us where we need to go. For others, it's much, much more. Take, for example, the Hummer. When I see one of these moving behemoths on the road, I never know whether to (a) salute, (b) duck for cover from possible incoming missiles, or (c) just get out of their way. I'm sure these strong, sturdy vehicles provide a nice safe ride, but in terms of practicality, I don't get it. Are these "glam tanks" or what? And I'm guessing you probably need Alex Rodriquez's salary to fill that baby with gas on a regular basis. Hummers make a statement: bigger is better, and bigger makes me better! Then there's the "fast and the furious." For years, the Corvette has symbolized a taste for the wild ride. But what does it really mean? Here's a sleek, shiny coupe that says, "I'm cool. I'm sexy. Hop on in and let's go for a ride!" I've only been in a Vette once in my life. I was in high school and worked part-time at a restaurant called "Taco Boy" in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Don't laugh -- Taco Bell was just a sparkle in that Chihuahua's eyes way back then.) My manager owned a brand new red Corvette. That car was so hot. Fool that he was, he let me take it out for a drive with a friend of mine. I barely tapped the gas pedal, and I think we broke the sound barrier. Scared me to death, but what a thrill! Yet, even as a teenager, I figured out why my boss drove that car. He was a wealthy little nerd of a guy and that car made him feel like James Bond. What about clothes? Why would anyone pay six times as much for a shirt just because of a tiny dude riding a horse embroidered on it? In all fairness, I'm sure the quality is a tad better than the 3/$10 tees over at Target. But let's be honest. People buy Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger for status. Like the L'Oreal advertisements tell us, these labels say I pay top dollar "because I'm worth it." For others, maybe it's a zip code. Do you know there are people who live in small towns like Kingston Springs who actually have post office boxes over in Brentwood or Belle Meade so others will think they have a more upscale address? That blows my mind. What does all this mean? Why do we willingly pay way too much for the "stuff" in our lives? Why do we put so much importance in the brand, the name, or the zip code? Because we've bought into the lie that the "stuff" we have defines us. For some, to deprive them of those trappings would strip away the very essence of who they perceive themselves to be. Do you realize how sad that is? Do you see the truth of how utterly hopeless it is to attach your very worth as an individual to a certain name on your car or clothes, or the digits in your zip code? At the end of your life, do you really believe you will look back and know genuine fulfillment and satisfaction because you once drove a Hummer or lived in a prestigious neighborhood? We expect those who are younger to fall into this trap. They are trying to find out who they are and establish themselves as individuals. They may foolishly play along with this game in their naivety. But how tragic are those adults who never learn the truth that who you are has nothing at all to do with what you have. The liberating truth of the matter is, as Art Buchwald once said, "The best things in life aren't things." Think about it. Click HERE to send Diane an email. She welcomes your comments and suggestions. She's Flying the Coop Blessed are the poor... Back to School It All Started With Eve It's Almost Here! Forget About Weapons of Mass Destruction - let’s Talk Hormones The Other "W" "If only I could..." "Put Down That Remote and Step Away From the TV!" Take This Job and Love It! As the Stomach turns! Pet Peeves Cue the Balloons! A Picture Perfect Thanksgiving 'Twas Two Months Before Christmas . . . Egg Nog & Popcorn The Importance of Making Christmas Memories Step Away from the Mistletoe! O Crystal Ball . . . 2003 Unplugged Geek is Chic! Mind Your Manners! Go "Figure" You’ve Gotta Laugh Reality Check A Parent’s Worst Nightmare Notice Me! |
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