I like to think that I'm not a very materialistic person. If you read through my site, it may not seem like I'm very attached to "stuff." I don't make a ton of money, but I'm happy with my work. In other words . . . I'm a content person that probably pretends he's not attached to material possessions.
Still, no one can live without a few precious things, no matter if they're books you love, CDs that remind you of your childhood, a secret stuffed animal collection, or a fleet of luxury cars with chauffers and a maintenance crew - everyone, no matter how rich or poor, has stuff they just could not live without.
In order to maintain some balance on this site, so it's not all about being a vegetarian, I decided to go ahead and share a little secret about myself. My secret? I have a list of seven things that I really worry I couldn't live without.
I'm being brave, admitting a materialistic side I sometimes say doesn't exist - so bear with me. Help me out, if you feel inclined. Do you have your own essentials you want to talk about? Do we love some of the same stuff? Let me know in a comment or an email and let's get a conversation started.
1. A Photo of My Mom & Dad
I've had this beautiful black and white portrait of my parents, on their wedding day, since I moved out of their house when I was a teenager. My mom gave it to me in a nice frame, and without saying a word I knew it was her own way of letting me know that she loved me and believed in me, and I've kept that photo somewhere in my bedroom ever since. It's beautiful - and the grainy black and white color and texture of the photo is an aesthetic I've come to love.
2. My Fancy Mattress and Bedclothes
Not only did I invest pretty heavily in a Tempur mattress, I went whole-hog and got the whole set, including sheets, pillowcases, and a few of their all-weather mattress protectors that help me stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Take away my mattress and sheet set and I don't know if I would ever sleep again.
3. My Worn-Out Copies of Miles Davis on Vinyl
Miles is by far my favorite solo artist, and thought I do own a couple of his records on brand-new 180-gram vinyl, but the worn-out versions of his music that I've been playing for a few decades are more things I simply cannot live without. I listen to his music five or six times a week all the way through, and even though my copies are starting to get a little bit worn out I refuse to replace all of them and get rid of the beat-up old versions. Sentimental value, what can I say?. If you've never heard any of his music, pick up an album or two (a special 40th anniversary set just came out) and then let me know how much you like it. Trust me; it's killer.
4. A Laptop
I don't have any kind of tech or gadget brand loyalty, really. I don't even care much about the quality, the features, or the amount of memory I've got on my laptop. I just need a laptop that functions, is able to connect to the Internet, and has enough room for a few thousands mp3s. Music is a big part of my life, and my laptop (whatever brand it carries or whatever operating system it uses) is my favorite music player, just because it's portable and has an equalizer that I can use to create the ideal sound for any style of music. I know for sure that I could NOT live without a laptop.
5. My Grandmother's Rosary Beads
I'm not necessarily the world's most devout Catholic, but I do attend Mass at least twice a month, and I still march to the confessional six or seven times a year just to stay on my higher power's good side. My maternal grandmother's rosary beads were passed on to her from HER grandmother, and they're very precious to me. I say a version of the Roman Catholic rosary each night before bed, and I know I could use anything (even my fingers and toes) to say a rosary, but there's a certain power to these beads. I can't explain it. It's just part of my truth.
6. Fish in an Aquarium
This is a recent addition to my list of material obsessions. About a decade ago, I was sitting in the dentist's office, and I read a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association that suggested a link between watching fish swimming in an aquarium and a reduced chance of heart disease and other chronic health conditions. I've maintained a modest aquarium and collection of fish ever since, and I wind down during the work week by watching my ever-changing collection of betas, goldfish, and at one time even small sharks swimming around in their tiny paradise. My doctor always mentions how healthy my blood pressure is for a man my age - so thanks, my little fishy friends.
7. Iced Tea
Okay, so I admit to being something of a caffeine junkie, but most of it comes in the form of iced tea. We're not talking about the stale, boring, sugarless stuff you'd find in a diner somewhere in New York or Delaware, we're talking about sugary Southern sweet iced tea that I brew myself, usually blending in a little orange peel and a few spices to keep things interesting. The jolt of energy and the warm-fuzzy feeling a nice tall glass of tea gives me is yet another thing I don't think I could live without. Heck, I'm not sure life would be WORTH living if I didn't have my precious iced tea.
So there you have it. I feel a little bit better - a little ashamed but still somehow more confident. I'll admit it . . . I'm a little materialistic. But at least my must-haves are somewhat connected to a greater purpose, or some sentimental value. Without the seven things listed above, life would be color-less. So tonight, when you talk to your higher power, whether it's a cactus, a specific God or Gods, or just a meditation with yourself, thank that power for our colorful (and sometimes materialistic) lives.
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