~ Source

“If you like it, don't seek validation.” — I love that thought. Clearly this applies to not just cars, but to everything in life. If you like something, that should be enough for you. Don't ruin it by seeking validation for what you already like.

Seeking validation from others is like any other drug, there's a temporary high, but once it wears out you just need more of it just to get back to your baseline—and that's simply unsustainable. ~ Source

Exactly. It's unsustainable. This is that same vicious cycle that I talked about in this post.

I wasn’t happy and staring at that yellow lemon in my garage just made it hurt. That car helped me grow. It doesn’t matter how much hp you have, no matter how usable or unusable it is. It doesn’t matter how cool your car looks or sounds. Cars won’t make you happy until you’re satisfied with what you have and you’re satisfied with yourself. ~ Source

Let's read that again. “Cars won’t make you happy until you’re satisfied with what you have and you’re satisfied with yourself.”

Now let's switch the word “Cars” for some other hobby or earthly goods/values that we normally obsess with:

• Phones won’t make you happy until you’re satisfied with what you have and you’re satisfied with yourself.
• Shoes won’t make you happy until you’re satisfied with what you have and you’re satisfied with yourself.
• Designer bags and clothing won’t make you happy until you’re satisfied with what you have and you’re satisfied with yourself.
• A house won’t make you happy until you’re satisfied with what you have and you’re satisfied with yourself.
• Wealth won’t make you happy until you’re satisfied with what you have and you’re satisfied with yourself.
• Power won’t make you happy until you’re satisfied with what you have and you’re satisfied with yourself.
• Honor won’t make you happy until you’re satisfied with what you have and you’re satisfied with yourself.
• Fame and recognition won’t make you happy until you’re satisfied with what you have and you’re satisfied with yourself.

I can go on and on, but I believe you see the point I'm trying to make. Nothing in this life can truly give us contentment, unless we are satisfied with ourselves and what we already have.

And finally my last takeaway.

This applies to literally everything in life. There will always, always be someone who – at least in perception – has more than you do. A better house, car, lifestyle, job. The less we compare ourselves to others the better life is. Period.

I test drove a pre-owned dream car this week. Loved it. Then realized the 2021 version has updated head and tail lights, and felt my excitement for the car I drove fade. Back of my mind, I was less excited about a car I genuinely enjoy because someone might notice it’s not a current-year car. What a fucking dumb way to think. But it’s actually hard to break out of it. ~ Source

I once ran into a quote that said something like, “Comparison is the thief of joy”. Ain't that what's on full display here? The guys on this Reddit thread are right. If you want to be happy and content, stop seeking external validation and stop comparing yourselves to others.

If you made it this far, I appreciate you taking the time to read my post. This is most likely my last post for the year, in which case, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Tags: #Bookmarks #Contentment #Detachment #GearsAndGasoline

I mean, sure, it is 10 years old. Some of the paint is chipping. The seats are no longer brand new. Some of the buttons on the steering wheel have lost their symbols. The headlights are starting to look hazy. Some of the wheels have curb rash. There is a big chip on the hood scoop. There is a gash on the passenger side rear wheel fender from scraping a parking lot column in Galveston. I mean yes, it is old. But isn't this still the same car I dreamed of owning a decade ago?

And now that prompts a different question: Was it the car that I really wanted? Or was I just looking for something new?

Are we buying something because we like it? Or are we actually addicted to the idea or feeling of getting something new every so often?

Then I remembered that an explanation for this was provided in the documentary The Minimalists: Less Is Now. The explanation goes like this:

When we finally get what we want, that car, that house, that new phone, we are happy for awhile. But then the brain normalizes all of that. And so after a while, we end up with new wants and new desires. The high bar that we just recently achieved, now becomes the baseline from which to start wanting to acquire more stuff.

So, you can see how that can quickly become a vicious, never-ending cycle of wants and desires. The solution in my opinion is to detach.

I wrote this post way before I wrote this other one. It just sat in my drafts folder and I had forgotten about it until today. But as you can see, just like that other post, the solution is the same.

Tags: #Reflection #Minimalism #Detachment

And to get more, you'll start looking for ways to outdo your previous efforts. This usually means acquiring more possessions (maybe even more expensive possessions), acquiring more recognition, acquiring more fame, etc...

Think of a person who is addicted to likes in social media. A certain post, photo or video can only get you so much likes. So what are you to do next? Post even grander photos and videos of course.

So, as you can see, it is a vicious cycle that will ultimately leave you miserable, because you can never really satisfy your desire for more. Practicing detachment however, gives you permission to appreciate what is in this world, but not have them weigh you down with the desire for more.

Tags: #Reflection #Detachment

If you have an interest in minimalism, detaching from material possessions, finding joy and happiness with less, you might want to watch this. It's 14 minutes long, but well worth your time.

Here are some of my takeaways from this sermon:

Earthly goods will keep you in an addictive pattern. You'll want more and more and more. And chances are, you'll get more and more and more. And yet, you'll never be satisfied.

The more you cling to the goods of the world, the more you become imprisoned by them.

The goods of the world talked about here are not limited to material possessions. They can be immaterial things too like fame, honor, reputation, likes, hearts, etc... If you cling on to those, you will also be imprisoned by them.

Nothing in this world lasts. And so while we can cling to them, they will still fade away. We will still fade away. And so what's the point of trying to hang on to them?

What should we do instead?

We should savor the moment, but not cling to it. Detach and let it go. Don't be imprisoned by the goods of the world.

Guess what doesn't fade away?

The Word of God. It's been here for 2000 years now. That should give you an idea of what you should be clinging to instead.

If you keep your focus on Christ, then in turn you'll learn how to deal with the goods of the earth in a manner that doesn't consume you, in a manner that doesn't keep you addicted, in a manner that doesn't imprison you.

Lastly, he ends his sermon with this wonderful quote from Cardinal George of Chicago. Read it a couple of times and let it sink in. It might just change your life.

The only thing you take with you into the life to come, is what you've given away on earth.

Tags: #Spirituality #BishopBarron #Christianity #Detachment #WordOnFire