There is a question that has been troubling me for a
long time now: just exactly who are the Jones and why am I
supposed to be keeping up with them? Every time I turn
around I seem to be bombarded with a single message: Buy!
Magazines, radio, billboards and television keep telling me
that I need a bigger home, a newer car, more electronics,
and fancier clothes. If I get them my life will be complete
and if I don’t then I will fall behind the Jones and face
utter misery. It is so ridiculous that I just have to laugh.
Now I don’t know who these mythical Jones are. I am not
sure how expensive their house is or how shiny their just
bought car looks. I am uncertain about how many new
electronic goodies they have purchased or what they do. I
have no idea either about what designer labels are on their
clothes. I do know that I don’t want to keep up with them,
however. Life is more than just things. Life is joy,
laughter, and love. Life is friends and family. Life is
caring and sharing. Life is a gift from God and I am not
going to waste it shopping for more wrapping paper.
I think I will try to keep up with the angels rather
than the Jones then. I may never match the love they share,
the good they do, or the truth they spread but I sure will
have the time of my life trying. I may not have as much
stuff to carry around, but that will leave my arms free for
hugging. My rooms and closets may not be as full, but my
heart will be a lot fuller. I may not seem as rich in the
eyes of the world, but in the eyes of Heaven I will be very
wealthy indeed.
Remember you came into this world with nothing and
that is how you will leave it too. Why not spend your days
here loving others, sharing joy and growing in oneness with
God? Why not spend your time here making this world better
for us all? You won’t be keeping up with the Jones, but your
soul will be flying with the angels.
Joseph J. Mazzella
joecool@wirefire.com
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