The Finer, and Finest, Things in Life

Home
>
Inspirational
>
The Finer, and Finest, Things in Life

The Finer, and Finest, Things in Life

In America, we have a saying: The finer things in life. These are the things that most people talk about when they are speaking of thing of high quality. In fact, much of that which propels people to pursue success, particularly financial success, is the desire to participate in the finer things in life.

Let's face it, increased finances enable us to do more things and enjoy things that we otherwise would not be able to afford. And we should consider that a blessing.

I am at a stage where my wife and I, and our kids, can enjoy some of the finer things in life. It hasn't always been that way. I think sometimes it is best to have to go years of getting by so that we appreciate more fully the finer things in life when we are able to experience them. I am thankful for where I am.

Who can argue of the beauty of a fine painting? Who doesn't love the smell and feel of leather furniture? Who doesn't enjoy driving a well-engineered car? Who doesn't dream of the softness and warmth of a Cashmere sweater? Who doesn't like a nice watch that can be passed on the your son or daughter someday? All of these are common symbols of the finer things in life, and indeed they are.

There is only one possible pitfall that I have found in the pursuit of the finer things in life. It is common that many fall into this trap. It is this:

While pursuing the finer things in life, we often become so engrained, so focused in the pursuit, that we do not experience the finest things in life.

You see, for the most part, the finer things in life, as commonly defined, cost money. And usually it takes a lot of time working to make the kind of money that enables us to experience the finer things in life. And in the pursuit of the money to enjoy the finer things in life, we are spending so much time that we are missing regular opportunities to enjoy the finest things in life.

Let me tell you of a recent experience. A couple of weeks ago I took my son, age 9, down to see some spring training baseball in Phoenix, Arizona. This was our second trip down together and we hope to make it an annual tradition. We popped down just for three days to see three games (Boy the Seattle Mariners are looking good this year! But I digress...)

The first game we saw was against the California Angels in their spring training facility in Tempe. There we sat waiting for the game to start. Now let me assure you, this was not an experience of the finer things in life. It was actually a little chilly out, though the sun was shining. We were sitting on relatively hard seats, and my cuisine consisted of peanuts and a diet-Pepsi. Hmmmmm.

But do you know what I found myself thinking? "There is no place else in the world I would rather be right now."

I was spending time with my boy, doing something we would both enjoy, and creating memories that will never go away. This, my friends, was one of the finest things in life.

What are the finest things of life in my book? Here are a few. You can see where I am going and name a few yourself.

Reading a novel just for the fun of it.

A casual stroll along the beach with nowhere to go.

An extra half-hour at the coffee shop, catching up with friends and actually tasting the great flavor of a cup of coffee, rather than rushing it.

A game of crazy eights with my kids.

A quiet evening out with my wife.

A Saturday afternoon sleeping on the couch in front of the fire.

And the list goes on...

Are you taking enough time to stop and taste of the finest things in life? Or are you so bent on getting to a point wherein you can experience the finer things in life?

I have a saying that "good is the enemy of the best." Sometimes the finer things of life get in the way of the finest things in life. Sometimes we settle for the finer things in life when we could be enjoying the finest things in life.

Visa has a series of new advertisements out right now. They would go something like this (describing a vacation): Airline tickets: $1500. Hotel room: $1200. The smile on her face: Priceless.

We can always put a value on the finer things in life, and I would encourage you to enjoy them if you can. But the finest things in life are priceless. You can put no value or price tag on them. It is a mandate that we take the time to enjoy them.

Take some time this week to live up to the old saying: Stop and smell the roses. You will never regret it.

About The Author:

Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.

To see Chris "live" at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on the subject of Secrets of Influence go to http://Chris-Widener.InspiresYOU.com/ or call 800-929-0434

In The News:

School's inspirational banner teaches a life lesson
Vancouver Sun
But for Vancouver swimmer Scott Dickens, those words, in big red and white letters on a banner at the back of a school gymnasium in his hometown of Ancaster, Ont., four years ago became life altering and a huge inspiration. "Three words that definitely ...

and more »

Moneycontrol.com
US: Arab uprisings 'inspirational' but destabilizing for Mideast
CNN
The report itself says: "The yearning for change we have witnessed in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and Syria is inspirational, and yet change often creates instability before it leads to greater respect for democracy and human rights.
US hails Arab Spring but warns of instabilityeuronews

all 28 news articles »

Wound Care Publication to be Distributed Within USA Today Highlights ...
MarketWatch (press release)
JR Martinez, whose resume includes burn survivor, motivational speaker, Dancing With the Stars alum, Army Veteran, and actor, graces the publication's cover, while his inspirational story of experiencing a devastating wound, surviving to tell his story ...

Inspirational Network's David Cerullo is highest-paid nonprofit exec
Bizjournals.com (blog)
David Cerullo, president and chief executive of The Inspirational Network Inc., tops the list, with $1.9 million in compensation. Marc Favaro and Bill Airy, also executives at the Lancaster County based-network, hold the second and third spots on the ...

Catskill Daily Mail
Dennis Walters Provides The Inspiration To Follow Your Dreams
Catskill Daily Mail
However, what could be certainly considered the highlight of the show despite the entertaining golf antics is the inspirational message woven into the show. “Once I started golfing again, I took to the road and for me, it was good therapy,” Walters ...

Inspirational Journey for female engineers at Atkins
The Engineer
Atkins has joined An Inspirational Journey, an initiative aimed at increasing the number of women working at the senior corporate level in Britain's boardrooms. Atkins said in a statement that it has signed up a team of women that have been identified ...

£600000 for "inspirational" awards programme
eGov monitor
Mr Salmond said the Foundation and the Leadership Award, run in partnership with the Outward Bound Trust for the last 14 years, were an inspiration, helping change the lives of more than 1750 young people who have taken part since the programme's ...

and more »

AFP
'Yearning for change' in Arab states inspirational: US
AFP
The report said "the yearning for change we have witnessed in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and Syria is inspirational, and yet change often creates instability before it leads to greater respect for democracy and human rights.

and more »

DAWN.com
'Yearning for change' in Arab states inspirational: US
DAWN.com
“The yearning for change we have witnessed in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and Syria is inspirational,” said US State Department report on human rights. -Reuters Photo WASHINGTON: A US report hailed the “yearning for change” in Arab countries and ...

and more »

Globe and Mail
The California Historical Society Releases Inaugural Free Multimedia eBook ...
MarketWatch (press release)
The phrase is borrowed from a 1921 promotional prospectus for the Golden Gate Bridge in which the authors, chief engineer for the bridge Joseph Strauss and San Francisco city engineer MM O'Shaughnessy, used inspirational language to set a tone for the ...
Jack Dorsey takes staff on Golden Gate BridgeBizjournals.com (blog)

all 155 news articles »

Google News