What is Luxury? (Post 8)

What is Luxury?  Wants vs Needs.

What is a luxury?  One of the things I am looking forward to is the redefinition of luxury.  Please allow me to explain.

My current situation:

Large house with multiple cars

Daily visits to convenience stores

Dining out numerous times every week, maybe 4-5 times/week

The option, at any time, to get whatever I want whether by cash or debt

Constant connection with thousands of friends and the world via internet

Ability to watch thousands of TV shows and Movies at anytime

My new situation

Smaller, simple house to live in

Few trips to stores, maybe weekly, maybe less

Dining out rarely, maybe 2-3 times per month

Limited availability to purchase items with less trips to the stores and no availability of Amazon, Walmart, etc

I will have a constant internet connection (Smartphone) but, most of my friends will be sleeping when I am on.  The internet will be slower and due to the active lifestyle we will be living - we will depend on the internet less.

No TV and rare watching of movies.

Let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with the life that I am currently living.  What I know is that I am taking so many luxuries for granted and do not appreciate the simpler things in life.  The easiest way for me to explain this is with a drink.  

Many of you know that I stopped drinking soda August 7, 1994, but I have a different vice: energy drinks.  I love a solid dose of caffeine.  Often, I choose a low calorie non-carbonated Rockstar Recovery.  When I start, I love them and look forward to the occasional can.  Slowly, a can a day becomes a habit, then a second can slips in when I need an extra boost, unfortunately two cans then become a habit.  When I am in a habit, I don’t appreciate it or look forward to it, I expect/need it.  In Kenya, I do not have the option of depending on an energy drink, or on Kwik Trip, or Amazon…Netflix, iTunes, Walmart, the dollar menu or anything else I have come to expect and need and not appreciate.  I want to appreciate things in life and I want my children to do the same.  

I want to redefine luxury by focusing and appreciating the simpler things in life.  Sitting around the fire at night with friends and family.  Having a nice dinner together.  When it comes time to buy something, buy it because it is something you truly need or is so special you got to have it.  When you watch a movie, let it be a special event.  And when we come back, be blown away by the luxury and conveniences of American life, appreciate it and understand that they are not to be expected but to be appreciated.

Excited to redefine luxury.