The important things in life aren’t things. By “things”, I mean material things.
I didn’t always think like this. There was a time when “stuff” and the accumulation of it was very important to me. In fact I was obsessed by it and very driven.
The big house, the best car and so the list went on.
Do you relate?
Don’t get me wrong, I still appreciate nice “things”, however they are no longer what I most value in life.
So what changed for me? Was it the years and maturity, or was it life events?
It was a combination of both and a much deeper realization of what really matters to me.
Before I share some of my story and what I consider important in life let me ask you……..
……………..What are the import things in life for you?
Think about it before you read on. What do you really value in your life?
How the important things in life changed for me
As I have already mentioned, at one time I was driven by the pursuit of material things. Success and all the trappings that go with it.
I worked enormous hours at the expense of many other areas of my life, including my family. We had a family business so I told myself it was the “right thing” to do, however deep down I was not happy.
The more things we accumulated, the bigger house, the holiday house, the cars etc, the more I realized they did not matter.
I enjoyed our business however my life was totally out of balance and I was worn out.
Ultimately we lost our business. We sold our houses and much of our “stuff” and set out to start again.
When I now look back at that period of my life ,when we had a lot of money flowing in, what I enjoyed most was the experiences it allowed us. Things like paying for family to fly in for special occasions, vacations and the fun things.
A clue here – life is about having fun, being happy and having joyful experiences.
Esther Hicks/Abraham says it so well here.
Abraham Hicks: How to Feel Joy!
I always love Abraham’s words on this subject.
Where did we human beings start to make life so dang serious I wonder? How did we become so obsessed with “stuff”?
“The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it’s all that matters.” Audrey Hepburn
Taking the important things in life to a whole new level for me
I have had a health challenge this year. I will share the details one day but for now I only want to say how it has caused me to really look at what is important in my life.
I have enjoyed good health most of my life and to some extent took it for granted.
When we lost our business I said repeatedly to my husband “at least we have our health”.
Since my health challenge I have really been looking at my thoughts, my levels of joy and happiness. I also have been evaluating how I spend my time and asking what is really important in my life.
I have learned that each day is important and that we should take nothing for granted. We never know what is around the corner.
I have learned the true value of friendships and have a deepened appreciation for the people in my life that are there for me, no matter what.
We all have different values and areas of like that really matter to us.
What Are The Important Things In Life For You?
Do you know? Do you really know?
I would love to hear your comments below.
Have an amazing day!
Namaste
Sue
PS
Remember to leave your thoughts below.
Helen Lingard says
Love this post – so inspiring Sue… you’ve inspired me to write one now 🙂
Sue Price says
Thank you Helen. Appreciate you. 🙂
Linda Frame says
Sue what a beautiful post & so important for others to read again & again until they “get it”. You & I “get it” don’t we, we’ve lived it, been through it & now “get it”. I know you do because I felt the sense of being at peace in your writing of every line.
Life is about living, breathing & enjoying what’s around us that makes us happy & peaceful. Life is NOT about ‘things’ as you so eloquently phrased it.
An amazing post about life & the real simplicity of it, beautiful words from a very special woman.
Sue Price says
Yes you and I do “get it: Linda. I think until you have been through some of these life changing challenges you see life differently. I know for me in the past few months that I see many things differently than before.
You are spot on life is about enjoying what makes us happy. I cannot even relate to how driven I was at one point to acquire “things”. It feels like that was a different person. 🙂
Thank you Linda for your kind words about me. It takes one to know one. x
yemisi femi-pius says
inspiring post sue, thanks for sharing
Sue Price says
Thank you Yemisi 🙂
Rory Singh says
When we are younger, I think AMBITION is one of the major driving forces in our lives. But as we gradually grow older and spend more time on this planet, our desires tend to be more towards peace, joy and love. Thanks for this awesome post Sue.
Sue Price says
You have summed that up beautifully Rory in “our desires tend to be more towards peace, joy and love.”. I agree with you.
Thank you for your great comment.
Sheena Yap Chan says
such a beautiful post you shared here. thanks sue
Sue Price says
Thank you Sheena 🙂
Daphne Dobson says
Powerful post Sue! I absolutely agree with you!
The important things in life are not stuff. A lot of
us are stuffed out. It’s truly living a joyful life because
you’re living a life of gratitude. Life is short. Let’s enjoy
each moment and never take it for granted.
Thanks for sharing!
Sue Price says
You made me laugh Daphne “a lot of us are stuffed out” 🙂 – well said.
Yes life is short and it is about being joyful. Thanks for your comment and have a very joyful day.
LuAnn says
beautiful, inspiring post Sue thanks so much for sharing… you are so right we don’t need stuff it’s just that stuff…let’s just live and enjoy our lives without the stuff…
Sue Price says
It sure is just “stuff” LuAnn. Thank you for commenting here.
Have a wonderful week ahead.
Erica Udeanu says
Your words deeply resonate with me Sue. At one point I too was all about the big house, the car … the material trappings of wealth. It only took a mighty crash to work out what was really important to me which turned out to be a loving husband, a doting dog, a roof over my head, running water, electricity and food in my belly. Everything over and above that is a true blessing and I am truly grateful.
I’ve taken a lot for granted over the years …
… but not any more.
EVERYTHING is a blessing.
Laughter too 🙂
Sue Price says
I have heard you tell your story of having the material trappings and realizing it meant nothing. I am with you on your list of what is important. I agree laughter too is a blessing and it is one that is very important to me.
Thanks for your comment Erica. Hugs
Stephanie D'Laroy says
Definitely inspiring post Sue. Something I needed to hear first thing in the morning. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Sue Price says
I am glad the post inspired you Stephanie. Thank you for your comment.
Debbie Moffat says
Hi Sue
Love your post…. We as Humans seem to re-evalutate our situations when our health becomes an issue…. I have recently had eye surgery for cataracts and have one more to go (this Saturday), So Grateful that I was fixable. But I have been blind for the last 6 months and have not been able to drive or read lol (thank god for zoom on the computer) I have had everything in BIG FONT. But sometimes that was not enough, It actually made me retract into myself. Didnt want to go anywhere. Thanks for sharing this Sue. Oh BTW I am not the materialistic type.. but I know plenty of people that are.
Sue Price says
Hi Debbie,
We sure do re-evaluate things when our health becomes an issue. Things like you being able to drive is something we do not imagine not being able to do. Yes thank God for zoom. I am glad you are having your second eye done and will soon be over this hurdle.
It is interesting you are not the materialistic type as many of us have been at least. Good on you.
Thanks for your awesome comment Debbie and all the best for your surgery this week.
Kenna Faber says
Great thought provoking post, Sue. Sometimes it takes some thing to happen to make us realize you don’t have to keep up with the Jones. My mother always told my sister and I to take time to smell the roses.
Sue Price says
Your mother gave you good advice in taking time to smell the roses Kenna. Sadly too many people do not do that. Thanks for your comment.