I Have a Picasso and You Don"t (from the Author of, I Have a Rolex and You Don"t)
Having material things is a wonderful way to make a statement that says, "I'm successful and I have arrived.
" But what does it really say about the individual.
I grew up poor in New Jersey (or is it poor New Jersey?) Anyway, I struggled and eventually went to college, started my own ad agency and finally made enough o live the American dream, whatever that is supposed to be.
In my mind it describes a life of choices, travel, luxury and security.
That would equate to an upper class home, a fine car and extra money to waste on frivolous items like designer watches and clothing.
But what does that actually mean in terms of happiness and quality of life? What is my marriage was in shambles? Then how could having an expensive ring help cure that? It can't and that's the point.
Our priorities are somewhat out of whack.
We value things over relationships.
But is that so surprising considering the world we live in? We envy the celebrities with their seemingly carefree and decadent lifestyle.
I say so-called carefree because we rarely get a peek below the surface at what's really happening.
Except when the press gets wind of something that's gone terrible wrong and it hits the front page.
Then all their wealthy and success is forgotten in the mess that follows.
We can learn from that example that keeping up the appearance of happiness is often more salient than being happy.
After the divorce divides up the belongings, how important was that Picasso that now resides with the divorce attorney as partial payment for services rendered? Both parties must now liquidate a slew of expensive trinkets accumulated over the years and now have just become pawns in a game of who gets what.
It's because the idea of love, friendship, loyalty and trust are words that have been delegated to a meaningless status and simply get in the way of the pursuit of the almighty dollar.
We lust for a boat or summer home instead of a lasting and meaningful attachment.
Can money really buy us happiness? This is an old question that never fully gets answered.
We say that we would rather have love than money, but that gold pendant with the rubies is so tempting and would make our wife's day.
Then, minutes later, as we are leaving the store, the wife is yelling at the husband who forgot where he parked their car and the embarrassment it might cause.
I own and have owned many nice things.
I collect art and I do own a signed Picasso.
I bought a used Rolex 20 years ago and I like it too.
But I was lucky to have a loving wife of 29 years until she passed away and a present one of 3 years.
We enjoyed and still enjoy the first-class things and aren't totally wrapped up in having something better than the neighbors or a designer bag to show it off.
If we do happen to make that purchase it's because we appreciate the way it's made and how long it will last.
The name is incidental.
But our primary focus is on each other and that is something that can't be bought or sold.
By the way, I have my wife and you don't.
" But what does it really say about the individual.
I grew up poor in New Jersey (or is it poor New Jersey?) Anyway, I struggled and eventually went to college, started my own ad agency and finally made enough o live the American dream, whatever that is supposed to be.
In my mind it describes a life of choices, travel, luxury and security.
That would equate to an upper class home, a fine car and extra money to waste on frivolous items like designer watches and clothing.
But what does that actually mean in terms of happiness and quality of life? What is my marriage was in shambles? Then how could having an expensive ring help cure that? It can't and that's the point.
Our priorities are somewhat out of whack.
We value things over relationships.
But is that so surprising considering the world we live in? We envy the celebrities with their seemingly carefree and decadent lifestyle.
I say so-called carefree because we rarely get a peek below the surface at what's really happening.
Except when the press gets wind of something that's gone terrible wrong and it hits the front page.
Then all their wealthy and success is forgotten in the mess that follows.
We can learn from that example that keeping up the appearance of happiness is often more salient than being happy.
After the divorce divides up the belongings, how important was that Picasso that now resides with the divorce attorney as partial payment for services rendered? Both parties must now liquidate a slew of expensive trinkets accumulated over the years and now have just become pawns in a game of who gets what.
It's because the idea of love, friendship, loyalty and trust are words that have been delegated to a meaningless status and simply get in the way of the pursuit of the almighty dollar.
We lust for a boat or summer home instead of a lasting and meaningful attachment.
Can money really buy us happiness? This is an old question that never fully gets answered.
We say that we would rather have love than money, but that gold pendant with the rubies is so tempting and would make our wife's day.
Then, minutes later, as we are leaving the store, the wife is yelling at the husband who forgot where he parked their car and the embarrassment it might cause.
I own and have owned many nice things.
I collect art and I do own a signed Picasso.
I bought a used Rolex 20 years ago and I like it too.
But I was lucky to have a loving wife of 29 years until she passed away and a present one of 3 years.
We enjoyed and still enjoy the first-class things and aren't totally wrapped up in having something better than the neighbors or a designer bag to show it off.
If we do happen to make that purchase it's because we appreciate the way it's made and how long it will last.
The name is incidental.
But our primary focus is on each other and that is something that can't be bought or sold.
By the way, I have my wife and you don't.
