Have you ever watched a QVC special for their jewelry and/or accessories, and first thought to yourself, Na, I do not need that--I have plenty? However, the more the ladies raved about the "quality," "popularity," and carefully caressed the showcased item (as if it were gold, or a rare find), you found yourself questioning your initial response to the advertisement.
Now, let's not jump to conclusions right away. I love deals, shopping, and trying new things. I just want to elaborate of how society has hinged contentment on having the best--the height of luxury. People consider expensive perfume, clothes, cars, and big homes the truest forms of luxury, and that in order to achieve true happiness is to attain all the luxury they can amass.
Despite the poverty and struggles my family has gone through, I am so thankful for such a humble background to start life with. Over the years my own definition of luxury has changed drastically, especially after becoming a mother. I once believed that a large spacious home was luxurious. NOW, it is a clean organized home. Bubble baths were divine. NOW, it is quiet time away from the never ending daily chores and demands, in a ten to fifteen minute shower in candle light that is pure bliss. After my husband and I were first married we ate Chinese cuisine a lot. I considered it quite a delicacy. TODAY, after feeding the baby, feeding hubby, getting his food ready for work, cleaning the kitchen, changing diapers, running errands, doing laundry, I am enraptured as I eat a sandwich, or a bread roll with a tad of butter. Once upon a time, going out to the movies was a very special occasion. NOW, on weekends, as a family, we love our local red box, 99-cent pizzas, and kroger brand kettle corn.
So what is luxury? For me it is the small moments when I slow down, brush my hair, sip some tea, and enjoy our journey as a family. Yes, it will be nice to have more money some day, go more places, try different things, but why not enjoy what we have that makes us happy in the now?
<3 BETH.
