The Secret to Happiness
Last night, I was driving home from a Mother's Morning Out meeting at our church. I was surfing through the radio stations, and found a song I felt like listening to. When the song ended, the DJ came on. It turns out I was listening to the John Tesh Show.
Apparently on the show, John Tesh frequently presents little words of wisdom. Last night, he was talking about the secret to happiness.
His focus today was on how people seek out material items to make themselves happy. They think, "If only I had more money, then I would be happy." Sure, buying the new Porsche will make you happy for a few months, but after that, the novelty wears off. Same with most things we buy to make ourselves happy.
This is so true! How many times do we buy something, totally excited about our new purchase, only to leave it sitting on a shelf some months later? Did it really make us happy? Or was it just a fleeting boost? And we think that the more expensive something is, the more it will make us happy. Does it really?
Earlier this year, we bought a new minivan. I can assure you that the first few days I was driving it around, it felt so neat! A brand new car! A big car! Power windows! Automatic transmission! (The last two being things I have NEVER had in a car.) But now, as much as I love my car, it's transportation. The initial thrill is gone.
John Tesh went on to talk about how happiness is more likely to come from positive memories. Twenty years down the line, is that Porsche still bringing us happiness? Probably not. But the memories you've made as a family will still make you smile.
This made me think back to when I was a child. It was probably the early 80's at the time. We pulled in to church one day, in our 1978 Chevy Malibu stationwagon. Our old next-door-neighbors pulled in beside us, in their brand new Mercedes Benz.
I turned to my father and said, "Why don't we have a Mercedes Benz like they do?"
Very quick on his feet, my father responded, "They may have a Mercedes Benz, but how many times has their family been to Europe?"
Um... never.
At that time, I had already been three times. In addition to lots of wonderful vacations throughout the U.S.
I think back about those vacations frequently. I have climbed on the stones at Stonehenge. Today, you can't even walk up to the real stones. I have traveled through East Germany, and spent a day visiting in East Berlin. When they were still Communist. Today, Germany is reunified. I have been to some of the most beautiful places on Earth. I have amazing memories of those times spent with my family.
My old neighbors with the Mercedes Benz.... I wonder how many memories they have of that car.
My father taught me an amazing lesson that day. And I hope that is a lesson I can pass on to my boys as well.
Apparently on the show, John Tesh frequently presents little words of wisdom. Last night, he was talking about the secret to happiness.
His focus today was on how people seek out material items to make themselves happy. They think, "If only I had more money, then I would be happy." Sure, buying the new Porsche will make you happy for a few months, but after that, the novelty wears off. Same with most things we buy to make ourselves happy.
This is so true! How many times do we buy something, totally excited about our new purchase, only to leave it sitting on a shelf some months later? Did it really make us happy? Or was it just a fleeting boost? And we think that the more expensive something is, the more it will make us happy. Does it really?
Earlier this year, we bought a new minivan. I can assure you that the first few days I was driving it around, it felt so neat! A brand new car! A big car! Power windows! Automatic transmission! (The last two being things I have NEVER had in a car.) But now, as much as I love my car, it's transportation. The initial thrill is gone.
John Tesh went on to talk about how happiness is more likely to come from positive memories. Twenty years down the line, is that Porsche still bringing us happiness? Probably not. But the memories you've made as a family will still make you smile.
This made me think back to when I was a child. It was probably the early 80's at the time. We pulled in to church one day, in our 1978 Chevy Malibu stationwagon. Our old next-door-neighbors pulled in beside us, in their brand new Mercedes Benz.
I turned to my father and said, "Why don't we have a Mercedes Benz like they do?"
Very quick on his feet, my father responded, "They may have a Mercedes Benz, but how many times has their family been to Europe?"
Um... never.
At that time, I had already been three times. In addition to lots of wonderful vacations throughout the U.S.
I think back about those vacations frequently. I have climbed on the stones at Stonehenge. Today, you can't even walk up to the real stones. I have traveled through East Germany, and spent a day visiting in East Berlin. When they were still Communist. Today, Germany is reunified. I have been to some of the most beautiful places on Earth. I have amazing memories of those times spent with my family.
My old neighbors with the Mercedes Benz.... I wonder how many memories they have of that car.
My father taught me an amazing lesson that day. And I hope that is a lesson I can pass on to my boys as well.
posted by Susan | 7:33 AM
2 Comments:
That's a good lesson. And I too have climbed on those stones that are now fenced off!
Great point! In the end we are left with memories. I would rather remember good times with family than a fancy car. Great reminder -- thanks!
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