Someone once said that the best things in the world are “things” that money can’t buy, like love, life experiences, and memories. Personally, I believe those are indeed the best things in life. But I don’t think they come without a price.
On Sunday I went over to my friend’s house and we had some girl time. She reminded me that she thinks of me as her older sister (even though I’m five months younger). She says it’s because I’ve “experienced” more. I told her it was mainly because I’ve had the financial means to do so.
Now I’m not saying that money is the only factor. There is a certain type of person that tends to have action in their life that makes up their life experiences (this is a drama queen fyi).
Go back to your high school years. Did you go to prom? Parties? On dates? Many people will think yes to all three. Some will probably think “I wish I had” for various reasons.
What other things have happened in your life? Have you lost your virginity? Traveled to another state? Country? Did you ever “experiment” with drugs and/or alcohol? Do you have a driver’s license? Have you ever lived on your own? Dated someone in another city? Do you know someone who will probably say no to at least a few of these?
In sociology, we studied poverty, both material and relative. Material poverty deals with the money side of experiences. Relative deals with how your experiences “measure up” to someone else’s (this is opinion based by the way). So what does this have to do with experiences? It’s something to consider.
I want to look back on what my friend said about me “experiencing more”. Going to a rock concert requires money. Living in absolute poverty does not. Which is the more valuable experience?
Life is what you make of it (I’m sure that’s been heard everywhere). If something of value (a lesson, a memory, a story to pass on) can be taken from the experience, then it has value. How will this “thing of value” impact your life? The lives of others? “Life lessons” are named as such for a reason. Can we choose how we’re impacted from an aspect of life? Possibly. Can we choose what to do with the impact? Yes.
Go back to the rock concert/absolute poverty comparison. Which is more valuable? It depends on what is “done about” each experience. Go back to me and my best friend. Which of us has experienced more? That information can never be determined.
Everything has a price. That price may or may not reflect the value.
How much are you willing to spend?
Do you intend to get your “money’s worth”?
Now is the appropriate moment for a ton of quotes advising you on how to live your life. Live it to the fullest. Life is like a box of chocolates (this is one of those rare cases where it’s ok to eat the whole box). Sample a little of everything from the buffet table (Dr. Kent Buys). Sing along with the elevator music (Dove Chocolate). I encourage you to live however you want. And I wish you luck.
