A Peek at How the Other Half Lives

In Michigan last weekend, we tagged along with two good friends to three different parties at their friends’ homes. We were in awe of the large, gorgeous SUMMER homes of these folks, the many expensive cars parked in the driveways, and the guests’ variety of clothing and jewelry with brand names such as Cartier, Prada, and Dolce & Gabbana. And although there were a few pretentious ones in the bunch, I was pleased to meet quite a few nice, down-to-earth people. In addition, the hosts of each party were all very kind and generous. Granted, we were only seeing everyone in “party mode” and were not getting a feel for their daily life or work personas or anything beyond just casual conversations. I’m sure there were some catty conversations during and after each party criticizing various guests who weren’t wearing the right clothing or driving the right car. I might add that we saw evidence of a fair amount of hair-dying, botox, and plastic surgery amongst the guests – I’m not judging; just observing. I suppose some of the individuals work grueling hours every week or are in debt up to their eyeballs, and I can’t help wondering if they’re genuinely happy with all of their wealth and baubles. Our society tends to strive for a very comfortable lifestyle, always reaching for more money, status, recognition, and power. And regardless of one’s lot in life, often we just keep wanting more. How many people do you suppose would honestly say that they are satisfied with how much they have and are happy with where they are in life at exactly this moment? I’m sure glad that I find contentment driving a Honda Civic, wearing sunglasses purchased from Target, being at a job where I rarely have to work more than 40 hours per week, and growing vegetables in my little garden. Sure, it would be great to have piles and piles of money, but that doesn’t make life carefree and easy.