| In America, we have a saying: The finer things in life. | | | | good this year! But I digress...)The first game we saw |
| These are the things that most people talk about | | | | was against the California Angels in their spring training |
| when they are speaking of thing of high quality. In fact, | | | | facility in Tempe. There we sat waiting for the game |
| much of that which propels people to pursue success, | | | | to start. Now let me assure you, this was not an |
| particularly financial success, is the desire to participate | | | | experience of the finer things in life. It was actually a |
| in the finer things in life.Let's face it, increased finances | | | | little chilly out, though the sun was shining. We were |
| enable us to do more things and enjoy things that we | | | | sitting on relatively hard seats, and my cuisine |
| otherwise would not be able to afford. And we should | | | | consisted of peanuts and a diet-Pepsi. Hmmmmm.But |
| consider that a blessing.I am at a stage where my | | | | do you know what I found myself thinking? "There is |
| wife and I, and our kids, can enjoy some of the finer | | | | no place else in the world I would rather be right now."I |
| things in life. It hasn't always been that way. I think | | | | was spending time with my boy, doing something we |
| sometimes it is best to have to go years of getting by | | | | would both enjoy, and creating memories that will |
| so that we appreciate more fully the finer things in life | | | | never go away. This, my friends, was one of the finest |
| when we are able to experience them. I am thankful | | | | things in life.What are the finest things of life in my |
| for where I am.Who can argue of the beauty of a fine | | | | book? Here are a few. You can see where I am going |
| painting? Who doesn't love the smell and feel of | | | | and name a few yourself.Reading a novel just for the |
| leather furniture? Who doesn't enjoy driving a | | | | fun of it.A casual stroll along the beach with nowhere |
| well-engineered car? Who doesn't dream of the | | | | to go.An extra half-hour at the coffee shop, catching |
| softness and warmth of a Cashmere sweater? Who | | | | up with friends and actually tasting the great flavor of |
| doesn't like a nice watch that can be passed on the | | | | a cup of coffee, rather than rushing it.A game of |
| your son or daughter someday? All of these are | | | | crazy eights with my kids.A quiet evening out with my |
| common symbols of the finer things in life, and indeed | | | | wife.A Saturday afternoon sleeping on the couch in |
| they are.There is only one possible pitfall that I have | | | | front of the fire.And the list goes on...Are you taking |
| found in the pursuit of the finer things in life. It is | | | | enough time to stop and taste of the finest things in |
| common that many fall into this trap. It is this:While | | | | life? Or are you so bent on getting to a point wherein |
| pursuing the finer things in life, we often become so | | | | you can experience the finer things in life?I have a |
| engrained, so focused in the pursuit, that we do not | | | | saying that "good is the enemy of the best." |
| experience the finest things in life.You see, for the | | | | Sometimes the finer things of life get in the way of the |
| most part, the finer things in life, as commonly defined, | | | | finest things in life. Sometimes we settle for the finer |
| cost money. And usually it takes a lot of time working | | | | things in life when we could be enjoying the finest |
| to make the kind of money that enables us to | | | | things in life.Visa has a series of new advertisements |
| experience the finer things in life. And in the pursuit of | | | | out right now. They would go something like this |
| the money to enjoy the finer things in life, we are | | | | (describing a vacation): Airline tickets: $1500. Hotel |
| spending so much time that we are missing regular | | | | room: $1200. The smile on her face: Priceless.We can |
| opportunities to enjoy the finest things in life.Let me tell | | | | always put a value on the finer things in life, and I |
| you of a recent experience. A couple of weeks ago I | | | | would encourage you to enjoy them if you can. But |
| took my son, age 9, down to see some spring training | | | | the finest things in life are priceless. You can put no |
| baseball in Phoenix, Arizona. This was our second trip | | | | value or price tag on them. It is a mandate that we |
| down together and we hope to make it an annual | | | | take the time to enjoy them.Take some time this |
| tradition. We popped down just for three days to see | | | | week to live up to the old saying: Stop and smell the |
| three games (Boy the Seattle Mariners are looking | | | | roses. You will never regret it. |