The Best Things in Life Really Are Free!

Ok, so this post will sound a bit different than my regular style of writing. This one is for the prize! I felt that writing about mandatory pricing for product that is sometimes on promotion to be sold for free is kinda contradictory, especially if submitting it to the company that sells these products. So, here goes for attempt #2 to be in it to win it!

One of life's greatest gifts is being able to recognize that not everything is a race to win. Ironic, huh? No really...look around you. As we finally steer out of the winter blues and see that spring has well sprung, we can recognize all the signs that symbolize that summer is just around the corner. Trees are full of leaves. Birds are flying in every direction. Lakes are looking clear blue. The biggest sign that summer is coming, for me, is that the beach is packed!!

When we think about the things in life that really matter to us, we can probably count on one hand: our family, our home, a steady income, and our health. If only one of those four things are about money, then why is money always on our mind? If you take a moment to look around, you will see that the things that are most dear to us - the things that are irreplaceable, precious and fundamental to human life don't actually cost a thing. There are some who would argue with this statement. What about cars? What about electronics? What about vacations? Ok, good point. However, when you sit in said car or watch said electronics, how does it make you feel? What are your best moments with this material thing? It is not when you hand over your credit card to pay. That much, I know. Consider the most precious memories you have of your life. Does it include spending time with family? Perhaps, watching a great movie on that 4k TV you invested in? How about driving in your car? Was the best moment when someone honked as they passed you by because your style is so awesome? Were you alone? Or, do you recall a time when you had friends or family in the car with you? Were you helping someone and offering your car to someone in need? If that is true, then I am sure the person was just happy to have a safe car to borrow. Sure, a superior sound system and sunroof package doesn't hurt...

So often, we are chasing after that dream to give us a feeling of satisfaction and acceptance. What we don't realize is that life is not about finishing that sentence, "If I just get enough money to..." Perhaps there is a loophole to get to that dream without the money. If a shortcut existed, would you take it? In the end, we just want to be loved by our family and feel successful in our lives because no one ever tells us when we have arrived there. We assume that, once we have achieved success, we will feel different, confident, complete. It is simply not true. There is always another rainbow to chase. But what about the rainbows that have already passed us by? Did we forget to look up and recognize them? Life starts to make more sense when we appreciate the things around us that were created for our enjoyment. It is only when we begin to appreciate the love, support and encouragment of those around us, that we can start to see how the greatest things in life really are free.