7:14 AM Sat, Jul 19, 2008 | Permalink
Paige
E-mail
|
I have learned through the years that one key to happiness is this:
Don't have rich friends.
Now, if you stop and think about this - I know you will agree. Sure, we are SUPPOSE to be happy for our friends that have achieved financial success - but most of us can't help but feel pretty lousy after a joy ride in our neighbor's new convertible Beemer or feel a ting of hate when our girlfriend sports her new Chanel purse. It's human nature to want what we can't have and ultimately begrudge those who have it.
Over the weekend, my family took a cruise on friends' fabulous new boat. Now this boat was not the fishing version or even the water skiing variety. No, this boat was specially designed for wake-boarding. For those of you in the dark on this form of water sport, it is kinda like slalom skiing only with a really cool looking board that is a cross between a skateboard and a snowboard on water. The first to hit the water was my son's classmate and friend. I'm going to call him "Stud Kid". At the age of eight, he expertly sliced his board against the wake and proceeded to do aerial tricks with his board. My son couldn't wait for his turn. Me, on the other hand....I knew it was going to be ugly - after all, we don't own a fancy smancy boat or a fancy smancy wakeboard. Sure enough, my poor kid could not get up and was drug behind the boat until Stud Dad yelled, "Let go of the rope!" He made eight additional attempts and never made it to his feet.
What's even worse, Stud Dad is married to Stud Mom who has a rockin' body and was wearing a cute bikini that I feel sure she did not get at Wal-Mart like my multi-colored one piece. By the time we left, we were all miserable and depressed. Our friends invited us back to their place to watch a movie in their media room - but I couldn't take any more. I wanted to go back to my half-decorated house, sit in front of my 16" TV and escape from my misery.
Don't get me wrong - I hate this about myself. I know I need to feel grateful and blessed for what I have and recognize that there are most in this world are less fortunate than me. I just need to hang out with a not-so-fashionable crowd!
Wow! I would say you have a slight self-esteem issue. Be proud of who you are and where you are in life. Maybe ask your wealthy friends how they obtained their riches and devise a plan of your own to be more successful financially.
I'd also say, be grateful of the "rich friends"! Just look at what you and your son were able to experience with them. Look at it this way, you were invited to enjoy it all and not have to pay for any of it! I say, KEEP the rich friends, they can expose you and your family to things your otherwise may never get to experience. Consider it a blessing!
Just think - what if they thought, just say "NO" to poor friends, because you couldn't bring the same level of luxury to there lives. How offensive would that be!!! Instead, it sounds like they probably enjoy sharing what they have with others they care about, instead of hoarding it all for themselves and their other rich friends. Obviously, you and your family have something they also enjoy; otherwise, you probably wouldn't be invited to their home, or boat. Find some self worth in being a good friend....that's PRICELESS!
Wow! I would say you have a slight self-esteem issue. Be proud of who you are and where you are in life. Maybe ask your wealthy friends how they obtained their riches and devise a plan of your own to be more successful financially.
I'd also say, be grateful of the "rich friends"! Just look at what you and your son were able to experience with them. Look at it this way, you were invited to enjoy it all and not have to pay for any of it! I say, KEEP the rich friends, they can expose you and your family to things your otherwise may never get to experience. Consider it a blessing!
Just think - what if they thought, just say "NO" to poor friends, because you couldn't bring the same level of luxury to their lives. How offensive would that be!!! Instead, it sounds like they probably enjoy sharing what they have with others they care about, instead of hoarding it all for themselves and their other rich friends. Obviously, you and your family have something they also enjoy; otherwise, you probably wouldn't be invited to their home, or boat. Find some self worth in being a good friend....that's PRICELESS!
This is my situation - all of my friends have much more money than I do, but I can't complain at all as I can pay my bills and support my family. Just like the writer, I know it's wrong to feel that way but the feeling hits you like a strong wave when you're around it. I've thought about what the other writer has said - yes, I could turn my life upside down and really work hard to acquire wealth and the material things, but I really don't want to give up the time I devote to teaching or my children at this time - they're happy and healthy. I work really hard for my family and work and frankly, I think I'm rather boring to these people that are jet setting from one place to another and spending lots of time talking about and acquiring houses, boats, and so on while I'm spending days on Priceline to create a fun vacation for my family that I can afford. We're living in a world where there are lots of choices on how to live and I find that many people are asking questions about just what's the right direction. I'll be interested in what others have to say.