My youngest daughter is sneaking up on her pre-teen years. At ten years old, we’re starting to have conversations about popular kids, bullying and the importance of being kind in the face of cruelty.
To put it in simple terms she could understand, I told her she has a decision in life to either be a wolf or a sheep. The wolf approaches all situations with a lone confidence to do what’s right for themselves, their friends and family. Although a wolf walks alone, a pack may eventually form behind them on their path through life. A sheep follows the herd and avoids the wolf due to insecurity or an unwillingness to recognize individual thought or behavior. A sheep does as they’re told, regardless of whether something is right or wrong.
As I was discussing this with my daughter, I realized the wolf and sheep scenario applies not only to childhood but carries us into adulthood as well. How else can we explain the need to own a luxury car, handbag or pair of jeans? Owning a Louis Vuitton bag provides the owner with a sense of belonging, of membership in an exclusive community only open to those who can afford it. What most people don’t recognize or understand is this: a majority of people walking around with a $500 bag on their arm can’t afford it.
Breaking free of the constructs we’ve built for ourselves is not only liberating, it has a huge impact on our bank accounts. My wife is a perfect example. She likes nice things; however, she’s not willing to pay hundreds of dollars at Belk’s (or elsewhere) for high end items. She has a knack for finding gently used clothes at the local Goodwill. Her recent $30 haul resulted in a pair of Coach shoes (with the tag still affixed), multiple Anne Taylor shirts and a Gucci belt. Retail would’ve been well over $500 resulting in a savings of $470 or more.
I’ll out myself and admit to purchasing more than one outfit at Wal Mart over the years. My closet is full of golf shirts, pants and shorts that cost around $20 each. I don’t feel the need to buy brand name anything to impress my peers. I’d argue that a Wal Mart golf shirt on a fit middle aged man makes a better impression than a Ralph Lauren shirt on an overweight middle aged man. One shows positive choices in diet, health and spending habits while the other shows the opposite.
Approaching life with the mindset of a wolf, where you’re leading the way rather than following the herd, makes a big difference in your overall happiness. Coming to the realization that companies spend hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars to coax us into purchasing their products is liberating. The veil is lifted and you see something for what it is.
There’s a reason many of the luxury items we purchase today are called, “lifestyle brands.” Unfortunately wearing a particular cologne or perfume will not result in washboard abs on white sand beaches. Wearing too much of it may result in dirty looks though, ask any man who’s worn too much Axe Body Spray and they’ll provide some insight.
It’s easy and quite honestly very comforting to follow the herd. It feels good to be accepted into a larger group, especially for anyone who lacks confidence and self worth. Drawing on our experiences from childhood, I’d encourage you to resist the temptation to make poor financial choices in order to find acceptance. Becoming a wolf will result in far more happiness, less stress and a more carefree life for you and your family.
And please, for the love of God, go easy with the Axe Body Spray.
