Me: I want my new iPad, I want my new iPhone!
Friend: Don’t you already have the iPad and iPhone 4?
Me: No way, I want the iPad mini (7”) and iPhone 5. Both of these are
slated for release in early 2011.
Friend: Will having these new gadgets make you a happier man?
Me: I sure hope so for I am extremely discontented with having to fiddle
with my iPhone 4 and all the antenna issues. My calls keep dropping out
whenever I enter the carpark. As for the iPad mini…I like the current size but
what harm would there be with a smaller iPad?
Of course, the above is just an
imaginary exchange for I have neither the new iPad nor the new iPhone. However, as for the new
releases of the gadgets, I do believe they are indeed in the pipeline. But reality is not that
far-off considering the constant rush people have for new gadgets, ‘IT’ bags,
cars and must-haves. Admittedly, I too am guilty of this relentless chase for
the next must-have. Aside from gadgets, many of us are drawn into the endless
pursuit for the next promotion, bigger title, salary increase; upgrade to a
bigger engine car, house, and country club memberships.
The list just keeps going on and
on, conjuring up an image of a laboratory rat running on the wheel within the cage
– thus rat race. It is indeed tiring and stressful when we keep chasing
after these monetary valued items with little care of what means the most to us. Many authors have written about
It is only
till the moment that we lie on our death beds do we come to question what we
have done with our lives? Have we developed meaningful relationships with our
loved ones? Have we made a remarkable contribution to this world?
Now come a new set of studies that reveal yet another toll that money takes. An international team of researchers led by Jordi Quoidbach report in the August 2010 issue of Psychological Science
that, although wealth may grant us opportunities to purchase many
things, it simultaneously impairs our ability to enjoy those things.