Everyone has their idea of what a good life is; some feel it is in the job they have, the amount of money, designer clothes they’ve accumulated. Some want position and power.
In the ‘40s, kids played football in the street. If they didn’t have a real football, they would play “kick the can.” The gutter, if it wasn’t raining, was a great place to play marbles. Sometimes they made their own toys, with the parents’ help, like a bow and arrow made from a sturdy smaller tree limb. It might take a bit, but they would bend it enough to make a bow; Dad might help out getting the tension right, and then they were off! Running, playing, shooting every target in sight! They might make a slingshot. And kids were happy with what they had! A new home in 1940 cost just under $4,000, the average income was about $1,725.00, and gas cost 11 cents a gallon.
Let’s look at the ‘60s. By then, a new house cost $12,700. The average income had risen to $5315.00, and gas cost 25 cents a gallon. Soda (or bottle of pop) costs ten cents, the same as a newspaper! A postage stamp cost 4 cents. The Beatles came to America; watermelon cost 2.5 cents a pound. Kids still played football in the street; the only difference was they usually had a real football. Marbles were still in; my brother had some. He was very protective of his Shooters, Aggies, Cat’s eyes, all of them! If I remember right, he played Keepsies.
It’s all in how you look at things. Possessions are cast to the side as we age for something new. In 2020, our “toys” are bigger and more expensive, but in reality, we get the same enjoyment from them. We all have a good life, whether we recognize it or not. I don’t have a lot of money or possessions, and certainly not power how it’s defined today. What makes my life so good? God, the people in my life and my relationships with each of them makes me happy. I can write books, which have always been my dream. I’m fulfilled. I hope you are too.