Friday, May 4, 2012
People and Things
Money has fast becoming one of the most important things in the life for a lot of us. And for some, THE MOST important thing. Some of us use this money to buy things for ourselves, and for our loved ones – our spouse, kids, parents, siblings, friends, etc. Because we feel that, when we buy things for people, they will become happy.. and when we see they’re happy, we’ll be happy too.
Theoretically speaking, yes.
But let’s imagine the following scenario. You bought a brand new mobile phone -name it iphone or galaxy note. It probably cost you around RM2K. So on the first week, you went to have dinner with your relatives. As you were chatting with your brother, his son took your phone and played around with it. Then his daughter went to snatch the phone from him.. and they two started to fight and they dropped your RM2K phone right in front of you.
Fortunately, your phone can still be used.. but with a large crack on the LCD screen.
What will be your reaction?
Well, if you are like most of us out there, you will be furious! What are these kids doing?! It’s your hard-earned money and thanks to their playfulness, it’s gone! So you go on and unleash your anger on them, scolding them right in front of everyone.
Imagine the emotional damage you would’ve done, if you really did that. The wound would be so deep that they no longer dare to play while you’re around. They’re just kids after all. And they are your precious niece and nephew.
Yes, it’s difficult because our society trains us to focus more on things, and less on people. But are things really so much more important than people? I seriously doubt so.
So the next time someone you really love and care about, breaks one of your precious things.. don’t erupt in anger. Keep your cool. Stay calm. You still need to tell the person you’re slightly disappointed but it’s not really a big deal. Don’t unleash your wrath on the person as if he/she just destroys your world.. because he/she didn’t.
It’s just a THING. You can buy it again and again.. no point earning so much money if you cannot live to spend .
Remember.. every new thing will become old even if nobody breaks it... but an emotional wound will likely stay there for a long long time.. much longer than that mobile phone of yours.
This lesson is something I’ve learnt from the late Prof Randy Pausch. He talked about this in his book “The Last Lecture”. A recommended read.
Hope it helps.
Theoretically speaking, yes.
But let’s imagine the following scenario. You bought a brand new mobile phone -name it iphone or galaxy note. It probably cost you around RM2K. So on the first week, you went to have dinner with your relatives. As you were chatting with your brother, his son took your phone and played around with it. Then his daughter went to snatch the phone from him.. and they two started to fight and they dropped your RM2K phone right in front of you.
Fortunately, your phone can still be used.. but with a large crack on the LCD screen.
What will be your reaction?
Well, if you are like most of us out there, you will be furious! What are these kids doing?! It’s your hard-earned money and thanks to their playfulness, it’s gone! So you go on and unleash your anger on them, scolding them right in front of everyone.
Imagine the emotional damage you would’ve done, if you really did that. The wound would be so deep that they no longer dare to play while you’re around. They’re just kids after all. And they are your precious niece and nephew.
Yes, it’s difficult because our society trains us to focus more on things, and less on people. But are things really so much more important than people? I seriously doubt so.
So the next time someone you really love and care about, breaks one of your precious things.. don’t erupt in anger. Keep your cool. Stay calm. You still need to tell the person you’re slightly disappointed but it’s not really a big deal. Don’t unleash your wrath on the person as if he/she just destroys your world.. because he/she didn’t.
It’s just a THING. You can buy it again and again.. no point earning so much money if you cannot live to spend .
Remember.. every new thing will become old even if nobody breaks it... but an emotional wound will likely stay there for a long long time.. much longer than that mobile phone of yours.
This lesson is something I’ve learnt from the late Prof Randy Pausch. He talked about this in his book “The Last Lecture”. A recommended read.
Hope it helps.
Labels: Current Affairs
just my 2cents at 10:45 AM |
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home