haves and have nots

our enjoyment of life should not be defined by what we don't have, but what we do have.

however often times i find myself thinking "if only i had ____________" then i would finally be content, and once i have it, whatever "it" is, i would move on to the next thing. case in point, i finally got an ipod this Christmas, but it's not the new ipod with colour, video, and it's not black. i know, spoiled. i'm trying to curb it. (the nth pet peeve: i'm not high-maintenance!)

as mum always told me "there's a lot of stuff in the world that you can't have. you can never have it all. there will always be something else." the gist? be happy with what you've got. so hey at least i have an ipod! while she meant it in terms of material things i think this applies to other things too. for example "if only i had [less stress, less problems, more time, those friends, a boyfriend, that professor, that person's talents/skills/knowledge/wisdom, so and so's circumstances, his/her personality, and so on and so forth....] then i would finally be content." mum had another tidbit of wisdom regarding this, "there will always be someone smarter, better, prettier, ____er than you, and there will always be someone dumber, less talented, not as attractive, ____er than you. don't compare, you'll die trying." how true.

i call this "the grass is greener on the other side" syndrome. letting this "i don't have this", negative mentality define my enjoyment of life breeds discontentment and doesn't result in my enjoying life at all. focusing on the "have nots" just nags at my soul, and blinds me to the beautiful, simple things of life and the blessings that i do have. of course this isn't anything new. God knew this, and He warned us about it many a times in the Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (BIBLE). this is where the "thou shalt not covet thy neighbors' _____" comes in. it's not just some random instruction given off the top of His head, but because it is relevant to our hearts. instead we are called to count our blessings, give thanks always, and to rejoice continuously, to focus on what we do have.

so what do i have? a great family, awesome friends (some of whom comprise a killer SWAT team, you know who you are, and much thanks!), a roof over my head, decent food in my stomach (well the few dishes that i don't butcher..har har), a university education, health, yes even an ipod, and on and on...

and i am reminded that as a Christian even if i don't have any of the above, i still have a lot! actually "a lot" would be the understatement of all of history. as a Christian i have eternal life. (let's see mastercard try to pay for this.) i have absolute freedom. i have grace, truth, mercy, and unconditional love from God. i am a daughter of the King. translation? i'm a princess, royalty. i am co- heir with Christ. what's Christ going to inherit? everything.

the "have nots" of life are endless, but the "haves" of life as a Christian are infinite too so intead of letting a "have not" mentality define my enjoyment of life, i find that letting a "have" mentality works much muuuuch better.