I was having a conversation with a coworker the other day about marriage, and we wandered onto the topic of wedding rings. She flat out told me that if her boyfriend proposed to her with a "sh*tty ring," she wouldn't get married to him. I was shocked. How could you turn down someone who is taking one of the biggest leaps in their lives all over a little piece of jewelry? Newsflash: It's the person you're getting married to, not the ring.
Don't get me wrong, I love me a nice piece of jewelry, a nice car, a nice outfit from a high-end store and a nice set of makeup from Macy's. But if material things are your sole source of happiness in life, I honestly feel really bad for you. There are just some things in this world that expensive items could never replace (for example: the love of your life).
Yes, money is important. It gets us from point A to point B, it pays for doctors appointments, school and food. Money is, no doubt, a necessity. But is that giant rock on your finger necessary? Do you really need your closet to be filled with $200 jeans and $1200 fur coats to be happy? Would you really rather have an item over a memory?
By all means, it's your life and you're allowed to spend, wear and do what you want, but here's a list of things that I would much rather have than any expensive, material good:
1. Happiness.
I've had many days with my friends and family that didn't involve any extra money at all, and I was one of the happiest people alive. I wouldn't trade these memories for any tangible object in the world.
2. Humor.
Laughter truly is the best medicine. Surrounding yourself with humor, and also having a good sense of humor, can help with that a lot. Humor is something that I definitely wouldn't be able to live without, and I would take it over Starbucks or new shoes any day.
3. Compassion.
Volunteering, helping a friend go through a hard time or stopping to help a stranger on a street is far more rewarding than any material thing.
4. Intelligence.
Your intelligence will take you places that a shiny new BMW will never be able to.
5. Music.
Music will always be a priceless thing for me. I've had many bad days that have been completely turned around by music. When I listen to an MGMT song, I think of a weekend in Madison with my best friend, Kenzie. When I listen to "Come On Eileen," I think of the many memories I made at Marissa and Amanda's apartment my sophomore year of college. And when I listen to bagpipes, I'm overwhelmed with pride for my Scottish-Presbyterian school. All of these memories and feelings were brought to me by something that fills my ears and soul, not my wardrobe or wallet.
6. Health.
Good health is something that's often taken for granted. A day spent above ground and healthy is always a good day. Plus, the healthier you are, the longer you live. The longer you live, the more memories you get to make.
7. Loved ones.
Last, but definitely not least, family and friends are something that I could never, ever put a price tag on. If I woke up tomorrow to a life with no family or friends, I really don't know what I would do. My loved ones are what give me purpose in life. It sounds so cliche, but the people I have surrounding me every day truly are irreplaceable. There's no item, no matter how expensive, that could replace the loved ones that I have.
There are definitely many other things I'd rather have than expensive items, but these are the top things that came to my head.
I didn't write this to bash people that buy these items. Like I said, it's your life and you can spend and do what you want. And like I also said, money is still something that we need. I just wrote this to remind people that those expensive items aren't really that important if you step back and think about it. There's so much more to life than what money can buy you, and I hope that this helped people see that.
