The Finer Things in Life

BUSINESS MATTERS (BEYOND THE BOTTOM LINE)

By Francis J. Kong (The Philippine Star)

Updated June 12, 2011 12:00 AM

What do you call the things you find in places like Monte Napoleone, Milan, 5th Avenue New York, Oxford Street., London and perhaps Beverly Hills California? Expensive? Sure. Signature items? Of course. There’s another term we assign for things like those. We call those the “finer things in life”.

Why finer? Because these are the things that most people mention when they speak of things of high quality. And acquiring those finer things in life is what propels most people to pursue success, particularly financial success.

Author and speaker Chris Widener has this to say about the finer things in life, “Let’s face it, increased finances enable us to do more things and enjoy things that we otherwise would not be able to afford. And we should consider that a blessing. I am at a stage where my wife and I, and our kids can enjoy some of the finer things in life.

“It hasn’t always been that way. I think sometimes it is best to have to go years of getting by so that we appreciate more fully the finer things in life when we are able to experience them. I am thankful for where I am.

”Who can argue of the beauty of a fine painting? Who doesn’t love the smell and feel of leather furniture? Who doesn’t enjoy driving a well-engineered car? Who doesn’t dream of the softness and warmth of a Cashmere sweater? Who doesn’t like a nice watch that can be passed on to your son or daughter someday? All of these are common symbols of the finer things in life, and indeed they are.”

Widener is right. One expensive watch commercial says, “You don’t really own a Patek Phillip. You merely look after it for the next generation.”

But here’s the thing – the finer things in life cost money, the kind that entails long working hours all week to make. So there’s one possible pitfall in the pursuit of the finer things in life, and many fall into this trap. It’s that, while being so engrossed, so focused on thefiner things in life, people miss out on the finest things in life.

What are the finest things of life? Here’s a few from my book (You can see where I am going and so feel free to name a few, yourself.):

Reading a book and enjoying every page of it

Sharing stories with good friends in a coffee shop and actually enjoying the coffee with a slice of rum cake on the side

Watching a movie in the house with my kids or going to the movie house together

A casual stroll along the beach with nowhere to go

A quiet evening out with my wife

Speaking somewhere in a seminar where the words spoken and the lessons shared start changing lives for the better

When my family and I take breakfast together in a restaurant on a Sunday morning, and we would exchange jokes, tell stories, and enjoy our food, I’m telling you, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world, no matter how beautiful the scenic spots are there. When I spend time with my family, doing something we all enjoy, and creating memories that will never fade away – this, my friends, is not just one of the finer things in life; this is one of the finest things in life.

Here’s a question for you: are you taking enough time to stop and taste the finest things in life? Or are you so bent on getting just the finer things in life?

It is said that “the good is the enemy of the best”. Sometimes the pursuit of the finer things of life makes us miss experiencing the finest things in life. Sometimes we settle for the finer things in life when we could be enjoying the finest things in life.

We can always put a value on the finer things in life, and I would encourage you to enjoy them if you can. But the finest things in life are priceless. You can put no price tag on them. It is a mandate that we take the time to enjoy them. Take some time this week to stop and smell the roses. You won’t regret it.

Enjoy God’s blessings; better yet, enjoy God Himself for He is the Finest.