CONTENTMENT...shouldn't I be there by now? A question to challenge...

[Sproles]

I like stuff, and no it doesn't own me, I simply like it. As I have said before, I do get OC, but then it passes, and I still have cool stuff.

Why in the hell would we flame you? You're not an asshole.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

STeve-

You have a way of putting things so eloquently!

Thanks for the support.
David

 

[Joe Talmadge]

I am telling you that I have these items and they have not made me happy one little bit.

Sproles, maybe the problem isn't the gadget collecting, but you. If you're looking at gadgets as what will be the main cause of contentment and happiness in your life, you can't blame the gadgets or even the gadget-collecting when it doesn't work out. If you have other problems with your life, you can't expect a knife and a flashlight to solve them all. I'm glad you figured that out, and have put things in perspective in a way that works for you. But it's more than a little presumptuous to project your experience on the rest of us.

I'll answer your question directly: knives, flashlights, and the like have been a joy to me and enriched my life in many ways. I'm happy messing around with them, cleaning them, talking about them, learning about them. There's not the slightest bit of question here: yes, absolutely, being a gadget-head is a net positive for me.

On the other hand, I'm not looking for a knife or a watch to be some miraculous cause of contentment or happiness for me. Happiness is taking my little girl to gymnastics class, cheering as she prances around in her leotard, then going out to dinner together. Gadgets, that's a fun thing to do when I'm not doing something more important. But make no mistake, the gadgets have provided me a whole lot of contentment -- in a healthy way.

Joe

 

[Joe Talmadge]

I get one thing in the mail and then I am already looking for the next thing. I obsess about one thing for awhile until it arrives, and then I am on to the next "latest and greatest" or newer item that I MUST have.

BTW, hopefully my tone above comes across right -- not a flame at all.

Anyway, here's a true story. I have a friend who got into knives. Actually met him through the forums. He went from newbie to plunging into the hobby in no time at all. He had a reasonable amount of money, and was spending unspeakable (to me) amounts of money buying new knives. I used to joke with him that knives aren't supposed to be like heroin, taking over your life with a false high and leading you only to the next high. They should be like a shot of Jack Daniels -- head to the bar, bang down the shot, high-five your buddies, then head home to live your life.

It turns out my little joke was closer to the truth than I knew. Eventually I found he out was miserable at home, his relationship with his family was terrible. He, too, eventually gained some perspective. In this case, he addressed the problems with his wife head-on, made peace with his family, and is living a happier life for it. I still talk to him occasionally, he barely even reads the knife forums anymore, but is at least vaguely interested in talking knives now and then.

The moral is easy enough to see, so I won't belabor the point.

Joe

 

[Buzzbait]

I went through this very same thing a couple years ago. I bought the best of everything I could find in personal carry items. My logic was that if I had the best there was to offer, with me all the time, I’d be content with my life. I researched every purchase to death, and ordered many things I’d never thought to purchase in the first place. I ended up quite miserable and obsessed with my personal carry.

I also did much the same thing, and put myself on an EDC ration. I carried what I had, and if I didn’t use an item within a certain time period, it was put in a box. I only purchased something new if what I had didn’t do the jobs at hand.

Trying to use the items actually turned into great fun. Not wanting to give up my precious treasures, I actually started living my life for the first time in a great while. I started hiking, fishing, camping and fixing stuff around the home. I went out of my way to help others, through my nifty gadgets. It became a personal challenge to expand the way I lived my life, to include reasons for having certain gear. I finally started “doing”, rather than endlessly “thinking about what I could do if I only had”. I quickly learned that there was no joy in owning gadgets. The joy is in using them, and expanding your experiences in life.

After a couple years of doing all this, I ended up with a box full of stuff I never used. It turned out to be excess baggage at best. And the items that I’ve retained in my pockets have become invaluable to my new everyday activities, each gadget having its own memorable stories.

In the end, pride of ownership is bullcr@p. It’s a self-defeating activity, as possessions will never bring contentment. Knowing that you’ve lived your life to the fullest, having helped others to the best of your ability, and having gone out of your way to open doors you never knew existed - those are what brings joy to your life.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

Trying to use the items actually turned into great fun. Not wanting to give up my precious treasures, I actually started living my life for the first time in a great while. I started hiking, fishing, camping and fixing stuff around the home.

I with ya. I've remarked before that some people bring knives along to their camping trip so that they'll be able to do some cutting; I go camping so that I can use my knives

 

[PropellerHead]

Speaking for myself, I recently read a book by John Eldredge (author of Wild At Heart) that really opened my eyes. I think the book was Journey of Desire. One point the book brought out was that often we associate a feeling with a thing. I know that I do. So when I see that amazing little LED that outshines my MagLite, I imagine myself walking down a dark sidewalk shining the light into the eyes of a malicious stranger and coming away from the encounter the unscathed victor! So then I just have to have that flashlight!

Now that I'm aware of my tendency to do this, I'm much more likely to look at things more objectively as "do I really need this or not...". My wife would most likely say that I don't truthfully answer that question often enough.

Sproles, I'm not saying that you are doing this, but it might be a question to ask yourself. How do I feel when I think about owning <that next big thing>?

I admire you for opening up and asking for input. I hope this helps you find the answers you are looking for.

God Bless!

- Mike

 

[Spydiefan04]

This is an interesting thread. Though I don't think there's anything wrong with possessions so long as they don't interfere with the more important aspects of your life: yourself, friends and family, perhaps religion, hobbies, etc.

Just a thought why not try selling some or all of your stuff for probably/arguably the BEST of each field.

Handgun: Colt M1991A1, perhaps the best there is, and a .45 no less run around 800 USD for a new one at the most. Either a Ruger or Browning .22 semi for plinking or a .22 conv. kit for a 1911 should run in the 200-300 dollar range.

Watch: Though there are a lot of great ones the Seiko 007 is almost unbeatable(but I must admit I've switched to solar Citizens) the Seiko should be available for under 200 dollars new.

Pen: Waterman Expert Rollerball (with pilot G2 refill) OR if you prefer a fountain like me get it should be a little over 100USD at the most.

Rifle: Centerfire Mauser 98 (8mm) can get one around $200 and it will out power and outperform most new guns. Rimfire: Marlin 795 (my personal favorite) should be $180 or less

Shotgun: Can get a good 12 guage pump for around $400 or less.

Knife: Fixed: Becker BK7 $50 or less
Folder: Spyderco Delica $40 approxiamately.

Illumination: 4d Maglite $20 or less

SO you'd end up with GOOD knives, guns, pen, light, and watch for approx. $2290.

 

[Spydiefan04]

Also on a more personal note, I don't hunt, but do fish and I LOVE target shooting, my family does it together as a hobby, we take our .22 rifles to the range and have at it. 'Til recently I was the only one without a semi-auto. I got SOO tired of a OLD innacurate bolt-action so I bought a Marlin 795 that can use the same scope as my brother's model 60. I have had more FUN with that gun than any other I've ever bought. I notice you got a handgun, give target shooting with a .22 a try. I've become almost sniper accurate with mine and it's loads of fun, part of what makes it so is how much cheaper it is to shoot a .22 and how much easier it is to punch a bullseye out of a target at distance with a rifle than a handgun, esp it that sucker is scoped. I'm now considering saving up for an Anschutz, did I mention I love target shooting hey, everybody needs a hobby.

 

[Simple Man]

I've always believed that a person is either content with what they have or they are not, that it does not depend upon what they own. If one's happiness rests on acquiring new possessions--well, there will always be something newer and shinier than what you already have.

My new purchases are usually* purpose-driven. If what I have meets my needs, then I don't need a new one. The time to buy a new [whatever] is when my current [whatever] is damaged or is no longer able to serve its intended purpose.

*I say "usually" because occasionally I'm weak and fall victim to the little kid inside that just has to have that new gizmo in the virtual store window. Then Mommy spanks him, sends him to bed without supper, and withholds his allowance for a week...

jamstutz, real good thoughts and comments, sums up most of what I was thinking.

Sproles, it is all about priorities. I get off track often as we all do, but I just have to keep remembering what is most important.

My order of priorities;
1) God
2) Family
3) Church
4) Work
5) Me (incl. knives, guns, trucks, lights, tools, electronics, gadgets, etc.)

Without fail, when I keep God first, the rest just fall into place perfectly.

 

[Temper]

I came, I saw, I said "I don't know what it is, but I can't live without it" I buy. Ahhh wilderness

The guy with the most toys when he dies wins, tsch! Don't you even know that?

 

[Sproles]

But it's more than a little presumptuous to project your experience on the rest of us.


Joe

Joe-

I appreciate your thoughts, but, apprently more than just ME have had these thoughts. I am not sure why you view my typed thoughts as presumptuos of me... I posed a thought and a challenge - if it is not a problem for others, I look forward to their thoughts and encouragement. If they DO have similar issues in life, maybe they can gain some wisdom from others. How is this any different than if someone poses a question that pertains to other life experiences?

David

 

[Temper]

For instance, I do not understand why some people struggle with alcoholism...I can have one glass of wine or one beer and be happy with that and call it an evening...however, I know that some people have more of a struggle with that and it is debilitating.
David

The answer to that is that these people lack the ability to stop. Its akin to opening a valve and accidentally snapping off the lever when its full open. I had a client that was an alcoholic and we spoke about this in gret depth. This was her way of describing it and she had looked into the problem of alcoholism closely.

I on the other hand cant understand why people need a religion. This is not a flame its just a statement. I havent found one redeeming part to it and have never felt the need to say Insh'a Allah sp? (change to the appropriate faith) or felt the need to put down tradgedies etc to some 'Grand Plan'

Anyway, back on topic.

I think men in general are hoarders of tools or tool like objects, its probably got a lot to do with evolution.