Natural Highs
The best things in life are free, or so the promise goes. It is hard to believe that one in this hothouse atmosphere of consumerism that engulfs us this time of year. Like a lot of folks my age, I am trying to simplify my life, get free of “stuff.” But even from my new elevated spiritual perch, I am not immune from acquisitive bourgeois appetites. I don’t know about you, but I have begun to feel like my life depends upon getting the new iPhone. Who wouldn’t have to have the world in his pocket?
In 1927, the song “The Best Things in Life Are Free” was a big hit. The lyrics suggested that moonbeams and love-freebies for us all-were better than the rush of a shopping spree at Tiffany’s. Yet, the more recent and oft recorded song (from John Lee Hooker to Devo), “Money,” probably captures our more modern sentiments: “The best things in life are free / But you can give them to the birds and bees / Now give me money, that’s what I want!”
Perhaps I am just an old hippie at heart, but I am still enchanted by the idea of a natural high, one that doesn’t require becoming a Mall Zombie (or breaking any laws) to achieve. I started compiling a list of all the blessings that don’t require tapping my MasterCard. Many of these are from my own experience and some are borrowed from others. Try adding your own to the list; doing so can produce the natural high that comes from gratitude.
