the aston and the AVOCADO
I have faced the fact that I am pretty low on the financial pecking order in my community. When I go the the grocery store and park next a Rolls Royce SUV with a starting MSRP of around $325k, its clear me that that guy makes more money than me. Whatever, I really don’t care.
Cars are often used to symbolize status, prestige, success, happiness, and a live well lived. Instagram influencers pose next to exotics and tell you how in just 3 easy steps, you too can be a motor mogul. Somehow, driving a supercar absolves you of life problems. Some work their entire lives so they can walk in to a dealer and buy whatever they want. After a life of work and sacrifice, their problems are over, they have their dream.
I see this Aston Martin DB8 at my local Publix Supermarket a couple times a month, usually when I’m needing ice cream. Such a pretty car, deep cobalt blue with stainless steel roof. I imagine owning that machine, I’d be happy if I had that. Maybe he is too, maybe he’s miserable.
The guy in the Aston Martin got me thinking one day, his problems are just like everyone else’s....
The Aston Martin doesn't save him from forgetting to bring home an avocado on his way home from work.
He gets to the supermarket really fast maybe. That could be fun I suppose, but still frustrating; a first world problem indeed.
I don’t know. I see people driving to work at 6am in high dollar cars, looking just as miserable as everyone else driving to give their service to the man. Others pulling to the “aesthetic wellness center” trying to alter their face, spending unfathomable amounts of money to be satisfied with themselves.
I’m not hating on these machines or the people who have sacrificed to own them. Every day I see Ferrari, Bently, Rolls Royce, Range Rover, and McLaren. These are beautiful machines, and I enjoy being exposed to them. But expensive cars (or watches, or homes, or boats) don’t show the world anything about what its like to be here on this earth. Everyone has the same basic problems.
We all carry the weight of our past, some secrets, or just plain dissatisfaction in our place in the world. Doing the work is hard, really hard. Buying something doesn’t erase our tough memories. There is only one option, do the work.
I’d still like to drive that Aston Martin while I work on my own personal storm. One day I want to meet that guy.