| Last week, my son asked me, 'Dad why does | | | | things to feel happy because I have learned |
| everyone else have nice new cars and we have | | | | how to feel happy simply through appreciating |
| this beat up junkie car?' My answer was that | | | | my blessings in life. I know that new stuff |
| my car meets the two criteria I have for it, | | | | may enhance my comfort but, it is not a |
| it starts and it goes. My seven year son | | | | happiness guarantee. My guarantee is |
| doesn't always appreciate the economics | | | | focusing my attention on what's really |
| behind some of my decisions. My son and | | | | important, my health, relationships with |
| employer both would be a lot happier if I got | | | | others, and livelihood. |
| a newer model, but the reality is I don't | | | | |
| need one. My car starts and goes and that is | | | | I belief we have been sold a bill a goods |
| all I need it to do. I am happy driving a | | | | that don't get us to our desired destination. |
| beat up Honda. | | | | I can't tell you how many SUVs I've seen |
| | | | turned upside down on wet or icy roads. We |
| But I have noticed like my son, that not many | | | | been told we need these big cars for safety, |
| people drive beat up cars. Are our self | | | | but the best safety measure while driving, is |
| identities so wrapped up in what we drive, | | | | driving safely. My car gets me where I'm |
| wear, or own, that we feel unhappy when we | | | | going safely because I'm an alert and |
| don't have new stuff? A recent internet | | | | cautious driver. I also take this approach |
| video the Story of Stuff states that our | | | | in life. I remain alert to my environment, |
| economy certainly promotes the belief the new | | | | am cautious not to react to stress, and often |
| stuff creates Happiness. The reality is that | | | | find I am in greater control of my life as a |
| new stuff doesn't create happiness it creates | | | | result. I am happy with my beat up Honda, |
| heart-ache. | | | | because I have bought into the idea of self |
| | | | reliance rather being sold on new stuff as |
| I don't buy new cars, because I find better | | | | the road to happiness. |
| deals with used models. I don't need new | | | | |