Wealth

This has been a harder Christmas season for me than normal as our finances have been tighter than usual.  This isn't to say that our finances are tighter than they have ever been.  The truth is that we are much better off than we were a decade ago, it's just that we no longer allow ourselves to borrow from our future.  No credit cards, no student loans to fall back on.  We are four years away from paying off our credit cards.  I have at least another year at the same level of salary that I am now (and that level might last a great deal longer) which is 16% below where I was supposed to be this year.

I usually spend the most that I spend during the holiday season since it also corresponds with my birthday.  I know that material objects shouldn't be sought as a source of happiness, but I have tended to associate this time of year with getting and playing with new things.  Instead, I have not been able to take advantage of the pre and post holiday specials that fill the newspaper ads and my inbox.  Considering the lack of snow, this holiday season has felt the least like the holidays when compared to any of the previous holiday seasons that I can remember.

However, the fact is that I am actually quite blessed.  I have a number of games, toys, books, etc. that I have never gotten around to playing, using, or reading.  While it is easy to look with envy at the things which friends and family members might have that I do not, I have a great deal more than most of the people in the world.  I am better off not having "more."  

I have a wonderful and loving family.  I have good friends.  I am still reasonably healthy (let's not talk about my blood pressure; even thinking about doing so raises my blood pressure).  I am enjoying my job more than I ever have (the job itself, not the bureaucracy and politics surrounding it).  I feel loved.

I need to stop moping because of stuff and rejoice more in what I have.