In church service today, my pastor said something like, in today’s society, it is really hard for people to be thankful. There is always something more or something better than what we have. It’s hard to be satisfied. The saddest people are the ones who get what they really want, and find it unsatisfying.
When I was in elementary school, I really wanted a pair of boots, go-go boots that was the latest thing. My parents thought it was frivolous waste of money, practical Chinese parents that they are. Actually they were right.
But my mom loved me and wanted to make me happy (as a mom now, I totally understand that feeling). So when my aunt was planning to come visit us from Hong Kong, my mom asked her to buy me a pair of boots from Hong Kong since it was cheaper there.
Was I totally happy when I got that pair of boots?
No.
It wasn’t brown the way the I wanted, and it was too stylish. I wanted plain stiff go-go boots, probably from Sears that everyone else had.
Couldn’t I just be happy that I got a pair of boots at all? No. I still complained.
Finally years later when I was in my 20’s, I bought myself a pair of boots that I liked, not go-go boots anymore, but nice classic leather boots.
Did that make me happy now that I have a pair of boots that I picked out myself?
No.
It was not life-changing, it didn’t make much difference in my life at all.
I still have those boots, stored under my bed. I haven’t worn them in about 10 years. But they are nice boots in great condition that never really go out of style. But now I don’t really care what I wear anymore. I am happy with a comfortable pair of sandals or tennis shoes.
The moral of the story is…