For as long as I can remember I drove Audi's. I like the cars and they became part of my identity: who I was - I was an Audi man. Recently, because of the high gas prices and greater environmental consciousness I started driving a little Toyota more and more. At first the Toyota wasn't as smooth, quiet, or fun to drive but after awhile I got use to it. It did the job, got me from here to there. Every once in awhile I would drive the Audi just so it got some use. But after awhile a funny thing started to happen. I found, I didn't enjoy driving the Audi as much as I use to. I didn't feel the same pride as I did driving it before and it took me awhile to figure out why. A big part of my enjoyment of the Audi was that it validated my identity. It told the world what kind of man I was: an Audi man. But somewhere along the way, I had stop caring about this, it had ceased to be a part of my identity. I didn't need it anymore to validate who I am.
At first, I thought I would feel bad but strangely I felt happier. I felt more free somehow, like a burden had been lifted off of me and I could see more of myself. The more "things" we identity with, the more our true selves become hidden behind them. The watches, the clothes, the cars, the homes, and yes, even our computers and phones, only serves to hide our true selves not only from the world BUT also from ourselves. When we stop identifying with "things", when we stop "defining" ourselves by the "things" we own - we come to know our true selves and what really makes us happy.
There is still a part of me that is upset about the Audi situation - but I am sure it will get over it - it's called my ego
PS Over the years I have been removing a lot of things from my life and in turn my identity. The Audi was the last to go along, with it's custom audio system
At first, I thought I would feel bad but strangely I felt happier. I felt more free somehow, like a burden had been lifted off of me and I could see more of myself. The more "things" we identity with, the more our true selves become hidden behind them. The watches, the clothes, the cars, the homes, and yes, even our computers and phones, only serves to hide our true selves not only from the world BUT also from ourselves. When we stop identifying with "things", when we stop "defining" ourselves by the "things" we own - we come to know our true selves and what really makes us happy.
There is still a part of me that is upset about the Audi situation - but I am sure it will get over it - it's called my ego
PS Over the years I have been removing a lot of things from my life and in turn my identity. The Audi was the last to go along, with it's custom audio system