Appreciate What You've Got Especially If It's Great

For anybody that is reading this blogpost, you are wealthy enough to own a computer, and have access to an internet connection.  It is probably then true that you have sufficient food, shelter, and free time to end up on the blog, “Things I’ve Noticed” and I really do appreciate it).  But what irks me, (perhaps 10% due to jealousy), is the way that people don’t appreciate what they own.  It is human nature to grow tired of what you have and then want more, but it’s really annoying when people don't fully appreciate amazing possessions (like Ferraris, mansions, and luxury furniture) that few people will ever own or experience.

It seems like this stems from people becoming rich and buying things just to keep up with the Joneses.  These objects aren’t purchased out of appreciation, but out of a sense of need to keep up appearances.  Once the objects fulfill that role, the obects' owners lose the appreciation for how special the item is.  The owner never bought the thing for its specialness anyway.  To continue keeping up with the neighbors requires more purchases that lead to the original fine object being relegated to the role of the “old” luxury object.  There are even people that have so much, there is no reason to appreciate anything in particular at all.  At the opposite extreme are kids in impoverished nations who are given something as simple as a soccer ball and are so joyful and grateful over it that they will always appreciate it.  It’s all relative.  I have some nice things that I do appreciate and I try to remind myself how fortunate I am, but awareness of what’s newer or better often leads to desire for what’s better.

There are more examples of “inappreciation” or “inuse”.  People buy convertibles and rarely put the top down.  They buy nice sporty cars and don’t even drive more than 5 mph while going around a turn and never even open up the throttle while getting on the highway.  I would love to “fully appreciate” some exotic cars on behalf of those that don’t appreciate them enough.  Too bad those people probably won’t let me borrow their cars.  (I'd even wax it for them).

I see people attending sporting events after having spent decent money on tickets only to chitchat and not even watch more than 5 minutes of the game they went to see.  There are many poor children that would be very happy to attend a game and they would actually watch it.  People take trips to far-off places and don’t really consider how privileged they are to go there.  The part about not having to work while on a trip is a luxury in itself.  Billions of people around the world get no days off.

What I’m advocating, appreciating what you have, can lead to a path of being more content, but it also may lead you to save money, get out of the rat-race, and not cause other people be envious and annoyed that you don’t realize what you have and are not using it to its full potential.

+ Atul

Comments

[Dave P]

So true. You gave many excellent examples and were entertaining while doing it..

[Suzie B.]

I loved reading your article, “Appreciate What You’ve Got Even If It’s Great”. I can relate to some of your examples. We have a relative who paid cash for a convertible sports car. It was housed in his garage for years. When he passed away, it had less than 1500 miles on it. We also have gone to sporting events and witnessed the same thing you mentioned about the chit chat during the game with no apparent interest in the game itself. The frustrating part is it is very difficult to even get tickets sometimes
because they are all taken by season ticket holders. I think we just need to be grateful for the simple things. Any more than food, basic clothing and shelter are luxuries. If anyone is fortunate enough to have extra, I agree we need to appreciate and enjoy whatever it is to it’s fullest

[Pat A.]

After reading the article “Appreciate What You’ve Got Especially If It’s Great” truly speaks the truth. In today’s time we take so much for granted. As a health care professional, I have worked in the field of geriatrics for over 30 years. These individual’s can tell you what it is like to go without the basic essentials to survive. Things like food, water, and shelter just to name a few. I suppose that when you go through a Depression you learn to never take anything for granted.
Today’s generation needs to take the time and listen to these wonderful very wise individuals. We could learn to be better neighbors, not just here in our own homeland, but to everyone throughout this great nation. Maybe then material items would not be so important to us, but instead human life.
So instead of trying to keep up with the Jones and having the best things in life, remember those that are less fortunate and donate to a charity in your community. You will be rewarded many times over.

[G. Oden]

This is my first time blogging and I must say that I am impressed with the content. I believe that the most amazing benefit to America is that we have a birth right and a road map to accomplish our dreams. Sadly, after those dreams are reached, we begin to think too highly of ourselves. People lose track of whats important when they value objects more then people. In urban communities especially! Young kids are trying so hard to "fit in" that they will rob, cheat and steal just to appear as if they have more then the person next to them. Americans are more then blessed! We are greedy and ungrateful.

[Viliana K.]

We must realize that the law for getting anything in life is first go give. If we concentrate only on receiving, then we become selfish and cannot really appreciate anything that is given to us. When we give without expectation, then we receive what we truly need and more. I believe that there is a higher power out there that knows exactly what we need in life. Through experience, we realize that everything comes from within. The outside world cannot make us happy if we do not appreciate what we have from within.

[Kimberly Sanborn]

I recently took a trip to Southwest Detroit and saw the many run-down decrepit buildings and dirty streets. I also did not feel safe there, as it was during the evening. It made me realize how lucky I am to be able to live in a safe neighborhood, where I do not always have to be watching my back. I am also thankful that where I live is clean, quiet and pretty. I saw how lucky I am to have these things and how much I actually take for granted. When I look at my daily Starbucks skinny latte fix and compare it to how some people in the neighborhood may not even be able to afford a loaf of bread, it makes me feel ashamed. What makes it worse is that it's only 20 minutes away from where I live, what a radical difference!

When I read your article, it struck a nerve that those rich people have so much and these people have so little. I'm not at all saying that the rich people don't deserve to have their money, I'm saying that I hope they appreciate what they have because there are definitely people who would kill to have what they do.

[J. Morton]

I believe that you would appreciate what you have, when you had to work hard to get it. Most wealthy people have lost that aspect. They do take it for granted because it really doesn't affect their bottom line.

I have 2 daughters, 10 and 14, and I teach them to save and earn the "luxuries" that they want. Because of the fact that THEY have to buy it, they do take better care of it, while also having had a sense of accomplishment by earning it themselves.

We really need to get back to basics in our lives and realize what is truly important. Having a home, having good food to eat, having transportation, and most of all, having good health. Some people do not have any of these.

[Marisa Martin]

I could not agree more with this topic. I also find it annoying that some people are never happy with the things they own. In today’s society, people feel the need, for whatever reason, to have the newest cell phone, television, laptop, ipod, and much more. Instead of spending money on the “latest gadgets,” spend it on the essential items. Life is not about the items someone owns, it should be about living life to the fullest, appreciating what you have, and not taking anything for granted. Some people will never know what that feels like. I find that very sad.

[R. Raheem]

I found your blog to be very interesting and it made me think of a few close relatives that are very fortunate to have the luxuries in life, such as the fast cars, beautiful homes, and money. It's crazy, the complaints that they have, so unappreciative and not concern about life itself. It's about having money and making more money. The less fortunate is not even a thought to them. If one's income is not $200,000 or more per year, you are viewed as a charity case.

[Samantha Baker]

I really loved this article, it’s all so true. I know many people who take advantage of things and are all materialistic, it’s quite bothersome. Some people don’t know how fortunate they are! To have food in their stomachs, a roof over their head, and a pillow to lie at night. Some people in the world don’t have any of that. And we complain that we need to get new electronics, a bigger TV or a sportier car just to look good. Granted there are sometimes that I do get selfish but then I get checked back into reality. When you hear of homelessness and poverty, it makes you think of what you do have and how lucky you are. There are a few people I know who take advantage of way more than they should. Sometimes I would mention volunteering or donating food and they’d ask, “Well, why do that?”And I reply, “Why not?” People need to sit back and comprehend what they have in life, instead of what they don’t have.

[Abi H]

I really liked this article, “Appreciate What You Got Especially If It’s Great”. The name of the article is what got me to click on it. I have always appreciated everything that I have been given. It always drives me crazy when I see people who don’t appreciate the things that they have in their life. By reading your article, you definitely feel the same way. In one of my classes we recently took a trip to urban Detroit. I had been to Detroit before, but not to an actual neighborhood. I couldn’t believe some of the living conditions. People lived in a house, next to a house that was burned, ravished and probably even a leeway for drug dealers to sell in. This made me appreciate how I grew up even more. I lived in a very nice farmhouse, with a mother who always kept it spotless. I’ve had the best of everything, and always knew my family had it good. What I have had and have today, I appreciate.

[Mary Krizewicz]

This was a great and captivating article to read! I am very blessed with what I have, but even though I appreciate it all, I am sometimes guilty of taking it for granted. A lot of it stems from trying to keep up with my friends or making a good impression. This hurts me, as I spend so much time, money, and effort for something I don't need in the first place.
One thing my Mom taught my brother and I when we were younger is to donate whatever we don't need or use anymore to local charities instead of selling it in a garage sale. It makes me very happy to think that just a simple act like that can make someone's day a little brighter. It also helps me to stop and think about all that I have and what others don't have.

[Get real]

You sir are clearly a living, breathing contradiction! Remember, good writing is honest. Good writers tell the truth even if it is not their personal experience!

[UH2L]

Wow, this post must have struck a chord with all of you (or it was just one of the easier ones to find).

It seems like the more we have, the more unappreciative we become.

As for "Get real," please don't hide under the cloak of anonymity. This is good (not great) writing. I am being honest about how I see things.

[Teri Howard]

I really appreciate this blog. I believe that everyone should take what they have for granted and be thankful for what they were blessed with. I am very grateful for just being alive. I have a son and he is very thankful for everything that he has. Trying to keep up with everyone else only cost you more money. I know many people that don't appreciate what they have and that is very sad.

[UH2L]

Teri,

It is sad that people don't appreciate what they have. Most people don't realize it until they lose what they had. It's good that you're raising your son to value things.