I used to be in the fashion business and it fascinated me.
Though we claim to be a country that is struggling with poverty the Filipino will always be updated as far as the latest fashion is concerned.
We read the latest fashion magazines watch amazed at the world’s prettiest men and women donning their designer clothes in Fashion cable channels and we pick them up.
The amazing thing is to realize that in a very materialistic 21st century world we are in today, rather than fashion imitating life, life is imitating fashion.
Bordering on confusion, human beings behave in very strange ways.
Consider the following:
- We wear Safari clothes and we’ve never been to a jungle.
- We wear Aerobic footwear and we never set foot in an aerobics class.
- We wear a deep sea dive watch and we never get wet.
- Those beautiful and expensive pilot’s watch we buy yet we do not know how to fly a plane.
- We drive a 4 wheel drive truck in the middle of manila traffic.
- We have architectural magazines we don’t read filled with pictures of furniture we don’t like.
- We have financial strategy software installed in a computer we don’t know how to work.
- We have art poster for an exhibit we never went to of an artist we never heard of.
This is called abstract materialism.
One day a young executive got into an accident in his brand new Jaguar after having too many drinks in their office Christmas party.
As he made a turn he missed it and went straight into a tree suffering from a serious crash. It was a wonder he got out of the debris alive but did found one of his arms missing.
People milled around the wreck and heard him saying, “Oh no. Look what happened to my Jaguar. My beautiful Jaguar.”
One of the spectators was amazed and said, “Hey mister. You’re still worried about your car you should be glad to be alive. Don’t you know that you’ve lost an arm?
The executive quickly turned to see that one of his arms was indeed missing. And so he cried out loud saying: “Oh no. My Rolex too. I lost my Rolex too!”
Understand this.
The more you have to live for, the less you need to live on. Those who make acquisition their goal never have enough.
And the worst thing that could happen is to force yourself into a materialistic lifestyle by borrowing money you can’t pay to impress people you don’t like.
The world today is divided into 3 kinds of people:
- The have’s
- The have-not’s
- And the have-not-paid-for-what-they-have’s
Do not fall into this trap.
The science and art of happiness is really simple.
I have heard so many motivational speakers dwell on the same theme but the one who impresses me most is the major contributor to the New Testament the apostle Paul who said, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”
If you don’t stop looking at the things you don’t have, you will fail to appreciate the things you now have and that is a sure recipe for misery.
Abstract materialism has no place in your life and mine.
Love God serve men work hard, play hard and pray hard.
This is the secret to the fulfilled life.
Thank you again sir Francis for another great article that puts things in their proper perspective. We should count our blessings every single day and life just becomes more wonderful!
I always read your articles in the Philippine Star, and I’m so glad I am also subscribed to your blog!
Wow! Again I am a little guilty with this one. But I want to live a simple life, less technologies, less complications, less complexities.
God bless Mr. Francis!
Wow. Another great article for a simple ‘and’ happy lifestyle, and focusing on the essentials.
More power, Sir Francis.
Thank you for another inspiring and eye opening article
Hi Mr. Francis! Thanks so much for another inspiring thought and guide to a simpler life. I am refocused once more on strengthening my basic principle in life… “Peace comes from the heart of a simple man”. God bless!
The message is clear focus on the needs not on the wants.
Thank you Sir Francis and God bless
Sir Francis,
What an inspiring message you delivered straight to my inbox again, just like every article you write! Sir, thank you for sharing us your knowledge and wisdom. You just keep inspiring us through your letters. Applying Bible based principles sets you apart from among the so called inspirational speakers.
Kudos, Sir Francis! And may you have the abundance the follows heavenly wisdom.
God will give you what you need not what you want in His time. Thank you.
The story just show that not everybody grasps what’s the real message God wants us to do while we’re here in this world. And mostly, people like the idea of being on earth than preparing a life with God. We, people do have different sets of mind and even choices. Thanks for the share. =)
Thank you Sir Francis for another lessons for today. I can share this topic to my relatives and friends.
I agree with you Sir Francis. Just recently all my electronic gadgets(laptop,cellphone,psp, camera) got stolen and to cope with the tragedy I had this urge to immediately replace all that i had lost. But after praying and reflecting on why God allowed this to happen, I realized that I could live without those things. I now have more time to spend with family/friends, exercise, pray and to serve Him. Trully His ways are not of our ways.
Thank you for taking the time to post your comment Zerho. God bless you.
truth hurts! thank you for reminding us sir. I’ve always read your article and this is my first time to post a comment and its true. GOD Bless You MORE sir.
Thanks so much Dhoy for your kind encouragement.
Great article! =)
Gratitude is an attitude that can change our lives!
“The more you have to live for, the less you need to live on. Those who make acquisition their goal never have enough.” Nice to remember this. Thanks!
You are so right!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful insights, you’re are blessing Sir Francis…
God bless you more!!!
Thank you for your kind words. God bless you.
You are very kind. Thank you. God bless you.
God bless you more! It’s really a very nice thought and realization in ourselves that we just have to live on what we have and be contented of what God has blessed us and share these blessings to others also. Hope I can also attend one of your trainings/lectures. Thanks a lot.
This is a must share! I will definitely share this article to my small group. Thank you sir and God bless you more!
we really have to learn, to give thanks to Him everyday!
what an eye opener! thanks sir francis for this.
material things will indeed not make us any happier, because when we die, we can’t bring any of those in heaven. on the other hand, if we get to share them with others while we still live, these material things will bring meaning to our lives and create great memories.
thank you sir francis for this.,. you made me appriciate things na i already have.,. salamat ulit.,
hopefully next year guest speaker ka ulit namin.
Hope so too Ben. thanks.
Wonderful words! worth reading before going to bed…