Having lived 17 years in a materialistic society, I can attest that stuff alone doesn’t make one happy.
At least not I.
But first a bit of personal context.
I was born in Communist Romania. I was born there in 1979.
I grew up with almost nothing. My mother couldn’t provide me with even the basic stuff at times.
Choices were made. One of them was who should eat: my grandfather or myself.
The fact that I’m alive and well, even more than well today, is testament to that choice.
Not sure if it was the right one. My grandfather was an outstanding man. I wish I had his fortitude and defiant spirit that allowed him to survive the torture of Communist-Stalinist prison camps.
But I digress.
I only had one pair of shoes, and when they broke down, we’d get the cheapest one in a second hand thrift public market.
Not having any siblings, there were no hand me downs and I’d go to school in my pyjama.
Later on, in the mid to late 90s, I so much wanted to get a PC. So I wrote, I appealed to my aunt who was a doctor in Germany, asking her for a second hand used machine.
Instead she sent me this. She wrote saying “you’re not getting a computer. I’m sending you something better.”
For years after, I pretty much hated her. But now I realize that this dick move was like a strong kick in the right direction.
The law of unintended consequences made me focus on self-improvement via book reading, making me into the competent, continuously learning man I am today.
Merci vilmal, tante, danke schön.
For the first 18 to 20 years, basically until I started earning my own money, life was one kick in the behind after another.
Not having things made me appreciate those I did get much more.
I remember once, and perhaps this launched me on a trajectory of loving Switzerland, I remember that once in 1996-97, my mom who worked as a nurse had the fortune of providing health services to a Swiss nun.
Who returned the favour by giving my mother 100 Sfr. My mom thanked her profusely since that was her salary for two weeks, and got me a Panasonic stereo CD boombox.
Oh boy was I happy. I was so happy. You couldn’t imagine how happy I was. You see, I was a music lover and this device allowed me to study, block out annoying sounds, or just enjoy reading or love making.
Trust me. Everything’s better on music.
I got my first computer courtesy of my best friend, Kim, in 2001/2002. I owe it to him the fact that I graduated with high marks out of University.
I guess I should dedicate my Bachelor’s in History to him. Thank you, buddy!
And even before that, once he was injured by a firecracker during a New Year’s Eve celebration gone wrong, and couldn’t use his laptop while bedridden in hospital, he gave it to me.
Thanks again, Kim, for your generosity allowed me to turn in an excellent paper on Euskadi Ta Askatasuna that dealt with the role of Franco’s courts in repressing ETA.
You see, folks, my point is that we all need material things. But not having it is not a death sentence.
What matters in life is to have the right family and friends.
To me, my friends are my family. And this is a lesson that I wish to impart to all of you out there who aspire to have stuff.
Having stuff, lots of stuff, doesn’t fill the gap left in your heart by not being close to your family and friends.
Having stuff don’t change your loneliness into happiness.
The poorest man, if amongst friends and family, will be happy and content.
The richest man, if alone in his golden palace, sitting on his ivory throne, will wish it all gone in exchange for companionship.
Life is short. Don’t make it poor by choosing to be rich in things. True richness is counted in the quality of your friends.
I’m the richest man alive.
Götterdämmerung 