To Covet or Not to Covet

Her name was Tina, and I was jealous of her. She was petite, like her name, and wore starched petticoats that would make any square dancer proud. She had a piercing, feminine scream that could shatter glass. My limp petticoat (singular) did not stand at attention, and my scream sounded more like a male moose. But more than anything, I was especially envious because she wore cute glasses and a leg brace.Why couldn't I have cute glasses and a leg brace in the third grade? Some kids were just luckier than others, I decided.

Isn't it odd some of the things we covet throughout our lives? Somehow Tina's attitude about what many would consider disabilities didn't make us feel sorry for her, but rather desirous of what she had. And how many other folks have we known that seem to have everything going for them and were still discontent?

What is it about us that causes us to always want what someone else has? If it's not material things-- bigger house, nicer car, fashionable clothes, the latest toys or electronic gadgets-- it's someone else's looks or personality, talent or skills. Why can't we learn to be content with who we are and what we have in life?

We are visually assaulted daily by advertisements trying to convince us that certain products or lifestyles or body shapes are the secrets to happiness. Capitalism would literally crumble without the tremendous support of covetousness and self-indulgence.

My grandparents left such a wonderful example of living simple and contented lives, but I was too busy to notice. They worked hard and lived frugally; they never lived beyond their means. They didn't buy something until they had the money saved to do so, and that included new vehicles and even a new house. My mother told me her stepfather never paid more than $17 in interest his entire lifetime. That is amazing! Most of us wouldn't know how to function these days without credit cards and interest payments.

When will we get it through our thick skulls that the true source of our joy and happiness is not in material things or circumstances? My grandparents had so little of what the world considers material signs of success, and yet they seemed to be so content with life.

My friend Tina's disability didn't disable her. I actually had to start wearing eyeglasses two grades later, but by seventh grade I was too embarrassed to wear them. And I was blind as a bat without them. I didn't realize back in third grade that it really wasn't Tina's glasses and leg brace I wanted, but rather her attitude about them.

And I think that's one of the few things that it's okay to covet-- a good attitude.