I drive a lousy car

I was washing my car in front of my house when my good neighbor walked by … we had a casual chat and just before he walks off, he cheekily said … “Aiyo Shiek, no need to wash so nice lah … this is a lousy car … buy a new car, better for you”.

Of course he was joking saying it is a lousy car … he meant that I deserve a better car.

Actually, he is right … not about I deserve a better car … he is right saying that I drive a lousy car. I am driving a 26 years old Proton Wira … bought it for RM2500 and has been driving it for a couple of years now … and will be driving it for as long as it is willing to move.

My lousy car

It is not as good as I want it to be … it has seen better days and even though it does not look and behave too well with cold morning tempers, rusted corners and weathered paint … so far, it has served its purpose well.

Now, the question is … do I need a new car and will it be better for me ? In other words ... will it make me feel better ?

NO … I don’t need a new car. Why? With my limited resources, both time and money … I am only focusing on things that can REALLY make me feel better and a new car is DEFINITELY NOT one of them. That’s right … a new car is not going to make me feel any better.

So what are the things that will make me feel better ?

First, my children … more precisely, their development … that is where I willingly and adequately provide for. Education, recreational activities, sports, books, courses, seminars, computers and smart devices that enable them to develop themselves and grow into a responsible young adult ready to face a world of their own. Knowing that I am able to do that … that makes me feel better.

Second, my spouse … my closest partner in life. She has my companionship … I will be nearby most of the time. Not that she depends on me or I depend on her … just that we like to do things together. She has my attention … that what she likes and it makes her feel better … when she feels better, I feel better too. We dedicate a lot of time and commitment for each other and for the family that we share. Knowing that we are going to spend a lot of time together for the rest of our lives … that makes me feel better.

Third, my home … not my house, I don’t need a bigger or better house. The house that I am staying in for the last 26 years is good enough for me … a bigger house will not make me feel any better. 

What is important to me is my home … that is where I focus on. It is where the bonding is strong, where everyone is close enough but still have the privacy they needed, where tears and joys are common and cherished, where love is aplenty amidst occasional spats, squabbles and disagreements. Knowing that I have a warm place where I want to go back to, again and again ... that makes me feel better. 

Fourth, a bunch of good old uncles … my good friends … really good ones … meaning those who can accept me for what I am and vice versa. Those who know my strengths and enjoy my merits but also acknowledge my weaknesses and tolerate my shortcomings. They have stuck with me for several decades and we will remain close for the many more years to come.

Together we put a lot of effort to keep this bunch of old uncles together … organizing holiday trips, boys’ night out for drinks and families getting together. We make sure that we maintain the strong bonding that we created over the years. Knowing that I have a bunch of good old friends … that makes me feel better. 

Last but not least is my health … yes, one of the most important things that make me feel better is my health. I have said it many times that I am doing a lot to take care of myself … maintaining a healthy lifestyle, staying active, always busy and keep learning new things. I take good care of myself, not that I love myself … it is because I love my spouse and children. Knowing that I can take care of myself so that my loved ones do not have to worry about taking care of me … that makes me feel better.

So … as you can see, I don’t need a new car to make me feel better.

Others may include cars, houses, jewelries, brands and luxury as their “feel better” indicators … there is nothing wrong with that ya … that is their idea of how to make them feel better and to enjoy their hard earned success. 

For me, I have different indicators … so yes, I drive a lousy car but at this point of life, how lousy my car is … is not important to me. The important thing is … I don’t feel lousy … I am happy, I am well, I am healthy and I feel absolutely great !!!