If memory serves me correctly, I bought my first cell phone in 1992. It was a motorola, and I thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen. I don’t remember exactly what I paid for it, but I think it was about $250.
At that point I paid by the minute, and those minutes were precious. Making a phone call was a big committment, and a sign that any/all of a these things were true:
1. I was dying by the side of the road
2. I really needed to talk to you for 30 seconds, but no more than 30 seconds.
3. I wanted to illustrate how very cool I was.
Making a phone call isn’t what it used to be. It doesn’t cost me more to call across country and I i have unlimited minutes. No big deal.
Value can be very situational. It changes over time, with geography and with your values.
Don’t take things for granted because you’re young, healthy, because you’re rich (by world standards), or because you have plenty of whatever you want. You never know how long it will last, and when you’ll be regretting you didn’t value it more carefully.
This is true whether we are talking about water, the ability to walk, clean air to breath, having your loved ones with you, having a home or being employed.
You may not think of yourself as having it all, but maybe you have lost perspective. Do you have a place to sleep at night? Do you have food to eat each day? Do you have people who love you? Do you have meaningful labor? Do you have clothes on your back? Do you have water to drink?
Take it all in and be thankful.
David Curry
