Looking at people and their houses one can come to the conclusion that the bigger the house the wealthier the people and the happier they may seem. This can be quit bias as we see more and more that the large houses cannot be purchased or that they do not bring happines. How many times I have driven by a house and thought some day I hope to afford something like that. My kids would love it....Now after the market fell, I see places that are shells or hopes of dreams. The ideology behind bigger is better comes to mind here. How many times have we thought that the larger the item, the better it is. I know that I have fallen victim to this thinking process. Going through the grocery store or ordering at the fast food joint. Would you like to upgrade that to the largest possible size?? Sure why not for 40 cents. Now Im holding a big ass cup of soda, fries and trying to eat a burger while driving home.....then I wonder why im feeling like crap for the next couple of hours. I have to remember, Oh yeah I over ate because I wanted to get my monies worth. To me it is the same thing with this house. how many people do you need to fill it up? Why not just get something that will keep you comfortable? Because thats not the American view. We have been raised that you need to open your eyes and get something bigger then your neighbors, parents, or siblings.The pictures I chose are those of a mansion and an overstuffed hampster. I don't know how many times I ahve done this or will do it, hopefully I about to stop. I am giving up on eating out, and of over stuffing my face. Just not as muich fun as it used to be.
Joshua,
ReplyDeleteExcellent piece of ideaology on human desires.
We too, as many americans have seen what can be possible, however, bigger also means bigger mortgage, bigger cleaning time spend, bigger APS bills, bigger water bills, bigger piles of junk to collect....
We need to learn to be content with what the Lord has given, only then will He bless us with something more.
Thanks. Pat Kaehler.
I agree with your post..always wanting bigger, badder, better and never satisfied with what we already have. I am stunned at the number of tourist that ask me where "so and so" ( movie stars, maybe athletic champions...whoever they hear is living in Sedona ) lives. Quite a few movie stars own houses in Boyton Canyon; and on some of the jeep tours, these house are pointed out as a place of interest. Personally, I don't care where they live. Yeah, they might have that big fancy place they visit, not live, just visit. I'll take my little piece of America and be happy with it. My kids are here, my animals are here and soon I will have a garden that I planted and tended to with my own hands..and hopefully with a little help from the kids.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true. We as "Americans" have been trained to live the American dream, house, car etc. Then somehow we got off track with not only having a house to call our own, but the need for a BIGGER home in a BETTER neighborhood. I too notice in my neighborhood the amount of homes either for sale for less than what is owed or in foreclosure. It's very sad to see but at the same time, we have to quite working harder just so we can have more stuff. Somehow this doesn't seem like an American Dream to me.
ReplyDeleteThis one is hilarious, Josh! But also a very powerful commentary on our cultural ideology that “bigger is better,” “Supersize Me” and all that, lol! You’re so astute in your observations that we seem to be seeking something “out there” to fulfill us and that we are delusional in our belief that the big ol’ mansion (or big ol’ anything) is the answer. It’s no wonder that we end up as overstuffed hamsters, forever scampering on our hamster wheel, with an eye on the prize “out there.”
ReplyDeleteI would like to honor your example image sir. :) Big houses seem to invoke many an emotion regarding the whole envy/competition instincts man/woman has proved to have. I know I personally have always been very responsive to such pictures like the one you have presented us.
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