The most prized possession?
Occasionally, the Globe and Mail runs little photo features consisting of sound bites (print bites?) and party shots of fascinating and glamorous people with whom I’m totally unfamiliar.
A recent one featured a gaggle of fashionistas who were asked the question “what is your most prized possession?” In the midst of declarations of love for various articles of clothing, one response, from a designer stood out:
“… my mind.”
Interesting fellow, at least for thinking differently. But he started me thinking. What is my most prized possession? How does that value affect my life? Is there a difference between what I value and what actually affects my life the most? And how do I define “possession”? Where do “I” stop and “my” possessions begin?
After some reflection and blogging, I came to a conclusion. If you’ve read this blog, you can probably guess what my most prized possession has become. But it was not always thus. In fact, after looking around, I’m starting to find that the most prized possession of most people is not their mind, their body, their car, house, photo of late father (that’s Dad on the left) or Franklin Delano Roosevelt action figure. (Yes, I have one of those, too.)
No, a person’s most prized possession influences his or her entire life. It creates the world. It predicts his or her actions. It can determine his or her lifespan.
It’s his or her world view.
Try it on for size: I’m fat. I’m weak. I’m not good at math. I’m shy. I’m a people pleaser. Look out for number one. Life is hard. Nobody’s interested in what I have to say. It’s my lot in life. Relationships don’t last. Marriage is a bad idea. I can never let my guard down. Don’t trust anybody. People are basically good. Science is always right. All politicians are crooks. I must protect myself from discomfort. It’s really important for me to believe I’m right. I deserve happiness. I don’t deserve happiness.
We all have beliefs and attachments that we cling to as if they were our most prized possession, as if we would cease to exist if we lost those beliefs. Our world would cease to exist.
Or so we think.
What’s your most prized possession?