I learnt in church that the real pleasure in achieving a goal is not the trophy you get. It’s the journey you went through to achieve the goal that matters. Yeah right! Of course the goal matters. Who wouldn’t want to have achievements in life that we can be proud of? Who wouldn’t want to walk out of the house with a little spring in our stride, a little boost in our pride?
When we were younger, we spent ALL our allowances from our parents with no qualms at all. We bought pretty little accessories, ate lotsa pizza and burgers, and we partied all night through! Ahh… but when we started work, we realize the importance of hard-earned money. We stopped buying things, ate at home, and drink only on special occasions. But why is it that we still feel so poor? Is this what they called, earning our keep? And not spending beyond my earning means? However, did you notice, that when you really got down to buying something you liked, like a little something for the house, a little gift for that special someone, with your very own hard-earned,’ blood-sweat’ money, that sense of accomplishment and pride, it’s indescribable, irreplaceable!
Recently, the Man and I moved into a house bought by my parents. It’s in our name, and will be paid for by our CPF when my parents’ have been used up. Although part of the house is being used as a home-office, the rest of the two and a half storeyed terrace house really belonged to us. And I’ve got to add, with my in-laws in Malaysia, my parents will be staying with us. So which girl wouldn’t love to live with her own parents, which couple wouldn’t love to have a house given to them?
Ahh… maybe I sound ungrateful, an unfilial daughter. But I really felt nothing. No sense of accomplishment at owning a house, no happiness at being a homeowner. I just felt – . Maybe I would have been happier if we’d got a little HDB flat of our own. A place we can call our own, our lovenest. Somewhere where our hard-earned money can be put to use, maybe we would have been happier, though definitely poorer. Ahh… just maybe.
I used to envy those born with silver spoons in their mouths. Those born into rich families like what we see on Tv, living in HUGE mansions with winding stairs, being chauffeured around in limos, and maybe skinny-dipping in their very own private pool! Now I pity them. The kids must feel such boredom! No accomplishments whatsoever!
Haa… what a great example of sour-grapes…oops! =X
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