A Better Life?

As I was driving to an appointment the other day I was listening to the Colin Cowherd show on ESPN radio.  He was talking about Lebron James and how he should move to a bigger market than Cleveland.  Colin talked about the big 3 markets: New York, Los Angeles and Miami.  He said he didn’t blame players for wanting to go to those markets and thought they were better places to leave a legacy. 

What really struck me was the comments from the people who called in.  One caller in particular said the following, “The reason he (James) should go to a bigger market is that there are more things to do and more money.  It’s a better life.”  Wow.  That really is quite a statement that symbolizes what a lot of popular culture is all about.  More glitz, more glamour, more money = a better life.  I, for one, disagree with this statement. 

Evidently, many people have value systems driven by pop-culture, media and dollars.  It’s too bad that so many people don’t really get past the surface of life.  Fundamental values by definition are old-fashioned.  Dignity, honor, grace, love (real love, not infatuation or lust), being a person of character and substance.  Those are values that one can be proud of, though they are hardly even recognized by the popular culture. 

I am not too suprised really, after all, the Colin Cowherd show is listened to by people who live their lives wrapped up in pop-culture.  It just struck me that morning, to hear someone say that to live in a bigger city, where there is more money, night life and entertainment abounds is a better life.  It’s not a big suprise that over 75% of NFL players are broke within just a few years of retirement.  They feel pressure from this culture to buy big houses, drive expensive cars, wear high dollar suits and basically spend money at every turn.  Image is everything to most of them.  It’s even more important than setting up their financial future for their family.

Personally, I like the idea of a sleepy, small town with a tight-knit community and people of substance.  People who live value-driven lives and honor each other and care about their fellow citizens.  I prefer to be AWAY from the busy, congested streets of the big cities.  Small communities where people work hard, take care of thier own and really care about one another…that’s my idea of a better life.

Pop-culture people want more of everything, except the things that really matter.  Family, friends, love, service to others, real accomplishment and leaving a legacy for your children to be proud of. 

I have traveled across this entire country and lived in most of the major cities.  Everyplace you go has it’s good and bad features, but to say it’s a better life in a bigger city is far from the truth.  Don’t buy the popular hype.  Do some traveling of your own and see for yourself where you can make a better life for your family.  And spend a little time thinking about what a better life really means to you.  That will change dramatically as you grow-up and mature.  Don’t blow it all now without planning for your future at some point.

Your family is counting on you.