“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” ― Mae West

There is more joy to be found in pursuing less than we can ever find pursuing more. Deep down, this is a message that we already know to be true.

It’s just that, since the day we were born, we have been told something different. We have been told that possessions equal joy. 

Every advertisement that has ever been created sets out to convince us that our lives will improve if we buy whatever they’re selling.

And because we hear that message so many times and from so many places, we subtly begin to believe it. As a result, we spend the best years of our lives working long hours to make good money so that we can go buy nice stuff: houses, cars, fashion, technology, toys.

But when we hear the simple message that there is more joy and fulfillment to be found in owning less, it rings true in our hearts and it resonated in our soul.

We know that possessions don’t equal joy. And we know that our life is too valuable to waste chasing them.

It just helps to be reminded from time to time.

So today, remember:

Our lives are short:

And we only get one shot at living them well. The time goes quick. And once we use it up, we can’t get it back. So make the most of it.

Possessions steal our time and energy. They require unending maintenance to be cleaned, maintained, fixed, replaced, and removed. They steal our precious attention, time, and energy and too often, we don’t even notice it—until it’s too late.

Our lives are unique:

Our look, our personality, our talents, and the people who have influenced our lives have made us special. As a result, our life is exactly like no one else.

And just because everyone around us may be chasing material possessions doesn’t mean we have to as well. We get to choose our symbols of success.

Far more than material success, our hearts desire significance because significance lasts. On the other hand, possessions are temporal. They perish, spoil, and fade. And most of them, by design.

Our lives hold opportunity to inspire:

Let’s make footprints worth following because nobody ever changed the world by following someone else.

People who change the world live differently and inspire others to do the same. Possessions may briefly impress, but they never truly inspire.

Our lives are important:

Our heart and soul makes us valuable. Never sacrifice your important role in this world by settling for possessions that can be purchased with a card of plastic.

Our lives are defined by our relationships:

From our closest family members to the strangers we encounter every day, the relationships we cultivate have a profound impact on our lives.

By shifting our focus (and resources) away from physical possessions and investing them into positive relationships, we can build a strong foundation for both ourselves and others.

Our lives deserve better:

Joy, happiness, and fulfillment are found in the invisible things of life: love, hope, peace, and relationships. And they are not on sale at your local department store. Stop looking for them there.

People who live their lives in pursuit of possessions are never content. They always desire newer, faster, or bigger because material possessions can never satisfy our deepest heart desires. Those who always want more, will never find it.

Be reminded today that your life is too valuable to waste chasing material possessions.

And find more joy by choosing to pursue better, rather than more.