When I was a child as I once was years ago, I remember one Christmas getting the present I wanted most. It was called a Max Machine and it must have been about 1978. It was all I talked about from the moment I saw it advertised on TV and in my pre-pubescent state this kind of advertising was quite persuasive. Such was my fascination that I can’t actually remember any other presents I got in those days, besides a bug catcher and a dragster pushbike. True these presents were well received, but my want for the Max Machine bordered on obsession, because I did not just want it, I actually needed. Or so I thought back then. I have taken the liberty of copying a picture of my prized treasure thanks to google, which would have been considered science fiction in 1978. The internet would not even be invented for another 5 years (apparently).
And now I consider the complaint of modern day teenagers and even older adults about how much they need good wifi.
“How was the accomodation” I asked a friend recently
His reply was frustrating and a sad reflection of an almost obsessional dependance on the technology, “ the wifi was very slow” so I could not upload my photos on instagram to show everybody how much i was enjoying my holiday.
And what then if nobody gives your post a thumbs up or even acknowledges it. Does it detract from your experience. If it does, then there is something seriously wrong, no offence. If we spend so much effort taking photos of the experience to show others or ourselves at a later date, are we truly living in the moment and whose holiday is it anyway.
Of course I had no idea about any of this as an 8 or 9 year old, just the obsession I had with my wonderful Max Machine. So much did I revere this toy, that I I was constantly checking to see if it was turned off, so I could play all day with it the next day. I remember it was on the shelf above my bed, and I must have moved it closer and closer to the edge, with my relentless monitoring. And what happened ? It fell off and broke.
“If you love something set it free” took on a whole new meaning for me at the ripe old age of 8.
Sadly I was not very philosophical at that age and even now if someone had suggested that to me back then, certainly something would have been set free, or rather dislodged as the philosopher lost a tooth. No I did not have anger management issues back then , but as they always say “”
“hell hath no fury like an 8 year old who broke the best Christmas present he ever had on the first day he had had
had it.
Maybe you can identify, maybe you can’t. The point is and I’m realising at exponential rate over 40 years later is the importance of not being so obsessed with things that don’t last, be it material things like a Max machine, a relationship, a thought or a belief.
He stammered “there is no one else like her and sure it isn’t perfect but I cant do any better.
I mean look at me and look at her”
This type of thinking, while incubated over many years and as the result of many messages urging you to me more realistic and to fight within your weight division is not helpful. Don’t focus on where you are, bur rather where you would like to be. I almost forgot my bug catcher and dragster bike, so great was my pre-pubescent grief at the demise of my Max Machine. Change your perspective and change your life.
What are you holding onto that stops you from really living and opening yourself up to new experiences and opportunities. Do something new every day even if you don’t think you can and remember to let go and live