joy and money have little in common
Today was rather uneventful. Secret Santa is very fun, and I have suspicions on who my person is...but I won't guess, because that would spoil the fun of it. Thankyou, whoever you are, for the cookies today. It really hit the spot:)
You want to know something I hate? Judgement. I don't think I know anyone who likes it. But I feel like I have judged and been judged way too much lately.
Let's start with a small, miniscule example, but one that occurs nearly every day. I hate it when people ask me, "How much did that thing cost?" (referring to my palm pilot.) Why do people ask that? Is it because they're interested in buying one? Not likely. Is it because they want to be educated on the pricing of today's technologies? I doubt it. Then why do they ask? Because they want to know how many clams I've shelled out in order to get this thing (or rather, how many clams my parents have shelled out). And why do they want to know that? Let's face it. People know it's going to be expensive before they ask. But they act all surprised when I tell them, and say things like, "Man, you're loaded!" or other snide comments that do nothing but make me feel bad for owning a palm pilot. Instead of saying, "This thing is neat, it must really help keep you organized!" or other intelligent, observant remark, people resort to judgement. They judge me because I own something that is more expensive the the average person my age can afford.
Let me make something clear. I didn't wake up one morning and decide I wanted a palm pilot. I spent months not only saving up, but thinking about whether I really needed something like that, to see if perhaps my money would be better spent on something else. But after careful thought, I decided that a palm pilot would streamline my school life, and combine everything into one convenient unit that could be stored in my pocket, and cooperate with my computer. My money, that I worked for, at a job, was what bought my palm pilot, after many months of saving up and careful planning.
Now, all of this information is completely superfluous. Even if I did wake up one morning and decide I wanted a palm pilot, it shouldn't matter. God has blessed me with many things, and the resources to buy a palm pilot is one of them. The Bible says we are to rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
If I were to go to the Apple store and buy a brand new 17-inch PowerBook G4 and bring it to school, the first thing I would hear would be "Dang, that must be expensive! How much did it cost?" Am I right? Or am I right?
Not only is treating someone in this manner judgemental, it is also very rude. Anyone who knows proper etiquette knows that you should never ask someone how much something cost.
Now, I myself and guilty of this sin, but mine is more internalized. I don't say it aloud, but in my heart I think the same thing, and that is just as bad. I will admit, for a while, I harbored this resentment toward Chris because of his Segway, and the fact that they bought one for each member of the family. However, now I see how wrong I was, and rejoice when I see any of them being able to use such wonderful technology for transportation. Sure, they might be expensive, but that's really not what matters. God has blessed them, so I am glad about it.
Bottom line, I just want people to stop making me feel bad when I publicly display something that I own that is over $50 (of which there are not very many).
You want to know something I hate? Judgement. I don't think I know anyone who likes it. But I feel like I have judged and been judged way too much lately.
Let's start with a small, miniscule example, but one that occurs nearly every day. I hate it when people ask me, "How much did that thing cost?" (referring to my palm pilot.) Why do people ask that? Is it because they're interested in buying one? Not likely. Is it because they want to be educated on the pricing of today's technologies? I doubt it. Then why do they ask? Because they want to know how many clams I've shelled out in order to get this thing (or rather, how many clams my parents have shelled out). And why do they want to know that? Let's face it. People know it's going to be expensive before they ask. But they act all surprised when I tell them, and say things like, "Man, you're loaded!" or other snide comments that do nothing but make me feel bad for owning a palm pilot. Instead of saying, "This thing is neat, it must really help keep you organized!" or other intelligent, observant remark, people resort to judgement. They judge me because I own something that is more expensive the the average person my age can afford.
Let me make something clear. I didn't wake up one morning and decide I wanted a palm pilot. I spent months not only saving up, but thinking about whether I really needed something like that, to see if perhaps my money would be better spent on something else. But after careful thought, I decided that a palm pilot would streamline my school life, and combine everything into one convenient unit that could be stored in my pocket, and cooperate with my computer. My money, that I worked for, at a job, was what bought my palm pilot, after many months of saving up and careful planning.
Now, all of this information is completely superfluous. Even if I did wake up one morning and decide I wanted a palm pilot, it shouldn't matter. God has blessed me with many things, and the resources to buy a palm pilot is one of them. The Bible says we are to rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
If I were to go to the Apple store and buy a brand new 17-inch PowerBook G4 and bring it to school, the first thing I would hear would be "Dang, that must be expensive! How much did it cost?" Am I right? Or am I right?
Not only is treating someone in this manner judgemental, it is also very rude. Anyone who knows proper etiquette knows that you should never ask someone how much something cost.
Now, I myself and guilty of this sin, but mine is more internalized. I don't say it aloud, but in my heart I think the same thing, and that is just as bad. I will admit, for a while, I harbored this resentment toward Chris because of his Segway, and the fact that they bought one for each member of the family. However, now I see how wrong I was, and rejoice when I see any of them being able to use such wonderful technology for transportation. Sure, they might be expensive, but that's really not what matters. God has blessed them, so I am glad about it.
Bottom line, I just want people to stop making me feel bad when I publicly display something that I own that is over $50 (of which there are not very many).
posted by John Mark at 5:27 PM
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