What I am reflecting?
The scooter cost 20x more. He picked the cake.
It was my son’s birthday recently. And as I look at him growing up, I realize that parenting can be challenging, but it can also be a lot of fun.
Sometimes I just feel blessed and grateful that day by day, he’s growing up to become a better and better person.
One thing I notice about birthdays is that we always buy a custom made cake for all of our children. This time was the same.
Besides the cake, I also had a handwritten birthday card for him. And, of course, a present.
The present is always something I specifically choose for him. Either something I’ve observed that he likes, or something I think would encourage learning and growth.
In the past I’ve bought him books, stationery, or toys.
This time, I bought him a scooter.
As you know, a scooter can cost quite a bit more than a regular toy. My intention behind it was that I wanted to encourage him to spend some time outdoors, trying new things and having fun.
But here’s the interesting part.
Despite the scooter being way, way more expensive, he actually enjoyed the decoration on his cake much more.
His cake was a Minecraft themed custom cake. And as soon as we cut it, he quickly took all the decorations off, went to wash them, and started playing with them.
I could see the enjoyment on his face.
He was so cheerful. He giggled and started mimicking the Minecraft conversations he had watched on TV.
He was just having so much fun.
Then I asked him, “Which one do you like more? Do you like the scooter more, or do you like the Minecraft more?”
He said he liked the Minecraft decorations more.
He even put them in a bag like they were some kind of treasure.
And at the same time, he asked me to carry his scooter around.
That got me thinking.
Sometimes, enjoyment isn’t measured by the price of something. It’s measured by the value we get from it.
And that value can be intrinsic.
It’s the sense of joy. The sense of fun. The feeling of having something, playing with it, and simply enjoying the process.
Sometimes the easiest contentment comes from something very simple. A gesture of appreciation. Saying thank you to someone. Appreciating love, or appreciating the little things that bring us joy.
It doesn’t always need to be something of high value.
It brought me to a realization.
Sometimes, when I value something, I don’t just compare it with the value I personally feel inside.
I also compare it with what other people might think.
What will other people like?
What will society think?
What will the community say about it?
And maybe that’s where we sometimes lose the simple joy of things.
So perhaps it’s worth asking ourselves this question:
What do you deeply like, despite what others say about it?
What would that be for you?
All right, until next time, may the rest of your life be the best of your life.
Quote I’m pondering
“Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” – Warren Buffett
Affirmation I used
I love and approve of myself. I look at life with joy and ease.