racoma.netI love to write. I write to live. I live to love.

My main work laptop turned one year old this May. And my netbook has just turned one year old this July. That’s quite old in computer lifetimes. I used to be always on the hunt for the latest and greatest gadgets. And when I spot something I wanted to buy, I try to condition myself to think I really need something, like how I absolutely need to replace my ageing six-month-old computer with a new one. A new netbook is out in the market? I’ll take two, please. Phone’s obsolete? I’ll want to get a new one in a snap. New 75-200 mm Canon EF-L lens? Cash discount, please!

Most of the time, the rational part of me prevails, though. I actually only get to upgrade computers every two years or so (except if it’s a netbook, which are ridiculously cheap these days). I upgrade phones every 1.5 years or so, too. This is true especially these days. While business is still thriving, I’m in economic crisis mode, just like the rest of the world.

My brother was given a very slightly used MacBook Pro as a belated birthday gift. My dad was given by his company a new top-of-the-line Thinkpad. I just saw them this morning. My usual reaction would probably be “I want one!” Hey, after all I used to manage a gadget blog with just that as the tagline. But this time around I have practiced restraint. I guess this is in line with my philosophy of taking stock of what I have and being appreciative and thankful.

Where’s the gadget lust?

It’s still in here somewhere. Only this time, it’s not actually lust, but rather something more reasonable and level-headed. I still want stuff. Or perhaps I’m more attuned to the mindset of needing stuff. I need to move my family into our own home soon (we’re still renting). I need to buy a new car (my Toyota’s 13 years old and counting). I need to pay for the kids’ tuition. I need to give them stuff that they want and need, too.

It’s just a change of perspective. I realize that as you grow, your wants and needs should grow with you, too. And this is especially true as you grow in your ability to earn and make a living. Your wants and needs tend to get bigger, too. But hopefully those don’t necessarily become bigger in the sense that you want material possessions only for the sake of having material possessions. But rather, you should be able to aim and strive for those material possessions for your happiness and that of your loved ones.

I want a newer and bigger car not because I want to show off, but because I have a growing family. I want a new notebook computer not because I want it for myself, but because I’d like my wife and kids to have a new computer of their own. Maybe if you put it this way, the term gadget lust may not necessarily mean a bad thing.

image credit: flickr/macinate