What Do YOU Define As "Luxury?" And What Would YOU Consider to Be "Luxurious"?

[Billyd]

I don't see luxury as a thing; I see it as an experience. A fancy house, an expensive car, diamonds, gold, a fat bank account, unlimited ability to travel to places known and unknown, etc. may seem like a luxury items, but all in all they are useless.

I have one of the most luxurious lifestyles there is. I have the daily ritual of waking up to my four legged 16 years old daughter staring me in the eyes. "Daddy it's time to get up and go outside!" The daily routine begins. I put on my slippers, and we go outside where she jumps off the porch into the birds feeding under the feeder scattering them to the corners of the yard, does her morning business, jumps back on the porch and back into the house for breakfast. It's now time for prayer, breakfast, an hour with Bill and Dana, then an hour or so on CC. Wherever I am whatever I'm doing, there is nothing more beautiful than what's in the moment I am living.

 

[seoulsearch]

Interesting theme Seoulsis, 4 is the closest to what floats my boat in life but i'd include personal autonomy in that category. Sadly, think it'll cease to exist in the very near future.

Know we're often told we've never had it so good but i seriously disagree and think we're much lied to about our history. Historically, we could often start our own communities if the one we lived in was too oppressive/tyrannical; which is really difficult now and will probably be impossible in the very near future.

Hope that makes sense, don't want to post a long winded comment.

VERY interesting point, @LifelongLearner!

I'm glad you brought up a perspective that hadn't been mentioned yet.

(Please forgive me, NONE of what I'm about to say is aimed toward you AT ALL, I'm just going on one of my infamous "talking to myself out loud" sessions.)

The first thing I think about when considering such an idea (forming our own communities) is how much can go wrong -- and what would be done about it.

Kind of like freedom of speech or religion -- it's good when it works out in a way we want, but it also allows for things like devil worshippers claiming to be a "church" and having the same freedoms as Christians.

Just this morning, I was catching up on the forums, and a supposed new member was writing posts calling someone a slur and writing that "Jesus was an occult leader." (Thankfully, the mods scrubbed all traces of this person from the site as soon as they saw the report.)

Then there are the people who, for several years, have been trying to change the term "pedophile" into "minor attracted persons" ("MAPs") in an attempt to "normalize" detestable and (for now) illegal behaviors.

I'm all for personal freedom, but the first thing I'm worried about is how it will be policed when it goes too far, and by whom. Who will have enough power to rule over the others? And thus, the cycle we're in right now will repeat all over again.

Bitcoin was supposedly invented to give everyday people a form of currency that was independent from any government rule, but when the crypto exchange FTX imploded due to corruption, people immediately cried out to the government to reimburse their lost money.

The whole point of this supposed new form of money -- was to be independent of the government. People were all on board with that idea -- until it went wrong. And now it looks like cryto (unsurprisingly) is headed for regular government jurisdiction just like everything else. (If my observations are wrong, anyone out there who knows more/better is more than welcome to correct me -- I only know a few bare bones basics.)

I agree with you that I think we've reached a point of no return as far as trying to do anything independently, even something as simple as owning a movie that can't be taken from us at any moment.

I always try to comfort myself with the story of Laban changing Jacob's wages constantly.

However... If Laban would have said, "Your wages will be only the sheep born with stars and stripes," by golly, I think those sheep would have started popping out little star-spangled lambs immediately.

Even Jacob said that if not for the Lord, he would have left Laban's house destitute...

God saw that Jacob was being cheated out of his pay -- and did something about it.

I can only hold on to the faith that God still sees how His people are wronged -- and He will do something about it.

God bless you, @LifelongLearner!!

Thank you as always for your very interesting insights.

 

[seoulsearch]

I don't see luxury as a thing; I see it as an experience. A fancy house, an expensive car, diamonds, gold, a fat bank account, unlimited ability to travel to places known and unknown, etc. may seem like a luxury items, but all in all they are useless.

I have one of the most luxurious lifestyles there is. I have the daily ritual of waking up to my four legged 16 years old daughter staring me in the eyes. "Daddy it's time to get up and go outside!" The daily routine begins. I put on my slippers, and we go outside where she jumps off the porch into the birds feeding under the feeder scattering them to the corners of the yard, does her morning business, jumps back on the porch and back into the house for breakfast. It's now time for prayer, breakfast, an hour with Bill and Dana, then an hour or so on CC. Wherever I am whatever I'm doing, there is nothing more beautiful than what's in the moment I am living.

This is beautiful!!

You have a real gift for writing, always inspiring and blessing others with your posts.

Nothing reminds me to be more grateful for what I have than hearing how others are putting gratitude into action.

Thank you very much for the reminder.

 

[Lanolin]

Why do people HAVE to find a way to argue? Why can't flowers just be a pretty thing God made because he wanted us to have some pretty things?

Nope, we're going to find a way to prove you are wrong, no matter what.

haha speak for yourself

Flowers have a lot of uses, not just for looking pretty, like you!

You don't need to find a way. It's just obvious, for those of us who actually look beneath the surface of 'things'

 

[Lanolin]

I've been told books are a luxury schools could do without.



But I need books!! And a garden! How can you live without one, life would be very boring indeed if we did not have these. Plus, how would we ever have read the Bible?
Wasn't the first 'thing' God ever gave Adam and Eve trees and a garden for them to tend?

 

[seoulsearch]

One of my favorite daily luxuries is washing my hair.

I just happen to have the type of hair that really needs washing every day, and for some reason, it always feels like a reset for the next day.

I always thank God for the (hot) running water -- especially after watching a video of one poor woman who doesn't have hot water because her home warranty refuses to replace their hot water heater.

I'm also always thankful to have shampoo and conditioner -- since many brands seem to have doubled in price.

I once read the story of a brave (female) soldier who said in her location, they didn't get access to showers for 2 or more weeks at a time.

Ever since then, I try to remember to thank God for the luxury of soap and a shower, because I couldn't survive without them (literally -- my skin starts to go bonkers, to the point of breaking out and bleeding, if I don't have a daily shower.)

 

[dkontner]

bonkers
adjective [ after verb ] informal humorous
silly or stupid:
She must be bonkers to do that.

 

[LifelongLearner]

VERY interesting point, @LifelongLearner!

I'm glad you brought up a perspective that hadn't been mentioned yet.

(Please forgive me, NONE of what I'm about to say is aimed toward you AT ALL, I'm just going on one of my infamous "talking to myself out loud" sessions.)

The first thing I think about when considering such an idea (forming our own communities) is how much can go wrong -- and what would be done about it.

Kind of like freedom of speech or religion -- it's good when it works out in a way we want, but it also allows for things like devil worshippers claiming to be a "church" and having the same freedoms as Christians.

Just this morning, I was catching up on the forums, and a supposed new member was writing posts calling someone a slur and writing that "Jesus was an occult leader." (Thankfully, the mods scrubbed all traces of this person from the site as soon as they saw the report.)

Then there are the people who, for several years, have been trying to change the term "pedophile" into "minor attracted persons" ("MAPs") in an attempt to "normalize" detestable and (for now) illegal behaviors.

I'm all for personal freedom, but the first thing I'm worried about is how it will be policed when it goes too far, and by whom. Who will have enough power to rule over the others? And thus, the cycle we're in right now will repeat all over again.

Bitcoin was supposedly invented to give everyday people a form of currency that was independent from any government rule, but when the crypto exchange FTX imploded due to corruption, people immediately cried out to the government to reimburse their lost money.

The whole point of this supposed new form of money -- was to be independent of the government. People were all on board with that idea -- until it went wrong. And now it looks like cryto (unsurprisingly) is headed for regular government jurisdiction just like everything else. (If my observations are wrong, anyone out there who knows more/better is more than welcome to correct me -- I only know a few bare bones basics.)

I agree with you that I think we've reached a point of no return as far as trying to do anything independently, even something as simple as owning a movie that can't be taken from us at any moment.

I always try to comfort myself with the story of Laban changing Jacob's wages constantly.

However... If Laban would have said, "Your wages will be only the sheep born with stars and stripes," by golly, I think those sheep would have started popping out little star-spangled lambs immediately.

Even Jacob said that if not for the Lord, he would have left Laban's house destitute...

God saw that Jacob was being cheated out of his pay -- and did something about it.

I can only hold on to the faith that God still sees how His people are wronged -- and He will do something about it.

God bless you, @LifelongLearner!!

Thank you as always for your very interesting insights.

Think the big difference between us Seoulsis, is people like me have had a decent understanding of what's going down now, for decades. Don't have any issues with some calling me a conspiracy theorist, we exist because conspiracies do, many of which have been proven throughout history.

What's happening now is extraordinary because the impact is severe globally and rapidly worsening. I was terrified for my children because i knew we couldn't do anything about it, however, the Lord knows the perfect moment to step in and sort it all out.

It's wonderful having that surety now, we'll still hurt and i can't choose for my children, they need their own relationship with the Lord. That hope is real tho and meant to say several times now you look really lovely in that photo, your skin is beautiful. God's blessings and hugs from me for now

 

[seoulsearch]

bonkers
adjective [ after verb ] informal humorous
silly or stupid:
She must be bonkers to do that.

LOL!!

"BONKERS" can be used to describe MANY aspects of my life -- including me!!

Just ask my friends and family!

 

[Lynx]

haha speak for yourself

Flowers have a lot of uses, not just for looking pretty, like you!

You don't need to find a way. It's just obvious, for those of us who actually look beneath the surface of 'things'

Unfortunately I don't look pretty, so I don't even have that.

 

[Lanolin]

Unfortunately I don't look pretty, so I don't even have that.

Really?
I must have my rose-coloured glasses on.

 

[seoulsearch]

Think the big difference between us Seoulsis, is people like me have had a decent understanding of what's going down now, for decades. Don't have any issues with some calling me a conspiracy theorist, we exist because conspiracies do, many of which have been proven throughout history.

What's happening now is extraordinary because the impact is severe globally and rapidly worsening. I was terrified for my children because i knew we couldn't do anything about it, however, the Lord knows the perfect moment to step in and sort it all out.

It's wonderful having that surety now, we'll still hurt and i can't choose for my children, they need their own relationship with the Lord. That hope is real tho and meant to say several times now you look really lovely in that photo, your skin is beautiful. God's blessings and hugs from me for now

Would you say that we are at a time in history that has never been repeated before?

I know they say that history may not repeat itself, but that it rhymes...

Have we been at other points that seemed this severe at all? (I ask because I'm curious as to how people managed to get through them.)

Thank goodness for the sureness of the Lord -- it's truly all we have.

And thank you very much for the kind comment about my skin and pic -- I've had many various issues over the years (severe acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema -- basically, a bit of everything!!) but another luxury God blessed me with was doctors who recognized something previous ones didn't, and seem to have me on an effective treatment plan.

I silently pray for others I see with skin issues, because I know how frustrating, depressing (bullying comments, etc.) and expensive it can be.

May God bless you richly with peace and comfort, @LifelongLearner!

 

[Lynx]

Would you say that we are at a time in history that has never been repeated before?

I know they say that history may not repeat itself, but that it rhymes...

Have we been at other points that seemed this severe at all? (I ask because I'm curious as to how people managed to get through them.)

Thank goodness for the sureness of the Lord -- it's truly all we have.

And thank you very much for the kind comment about my skin and pic -- I've had many various issues over the years (severe acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema -- basically, a bit of everything!!) but another luxury God blessed me with was doctors who recognized something previous ones didn't, and seem to have me on an effective treatment plan.

I silently pray for others I see with skin issues, because I know how frustrating, depressing (bullying comments, etc.) and expensive it can be.

May God bless you richly with peace and comfort, @LifelongLearner!

We as America? Or we as humanity?

We as America, I don't think we ever have been. The USA is a pretty big place, so until now (depending on how thick you have made your tin foil hat) they have not had the technology to control the whole place with this much precision.

(This assumes the belief that there is some "they" who is controlling everything.)

We as humanity? There have been much worse situations. Dad watched Schindler's List just last night. And there have been even worse times in human history. Some of them are in the Bible. We're not yet crying for the police because "We ate my baby yesterday and we were going to eat her baby today, but she hid it and won't let me cook it."

Shoot, even Esther's reason for not wanting to ask the king for help with the Hamaan problem reveals a level of control the king had that we have not reached. We are still free to trash talk the president all we want. We can make videos flipping off the president and post them on youtube. Nobody's going to execute you for that.

 

[Lynx]

Really?
I must have my rose-coloured glasses on.

Maybe it's time to get your glasses prescription updated.

There's a picture of me somewhere around this forum. Even back when I posted that, I was no great beauty. And it ain't got no better since.

 

[JohnDB]

For literally multiple decades....
My cookware at my home has been termed "pathetic" or bargain hunter basement finds. Or stuff they stash in the basement of the discount store because they have much nicer stuff to sell for deep discount cheap prices....

That's been what I've used for too many decades to count. Cast offs, used, hand-me-downs. But I've used it and not thought too much about it. My Mother-in-law has nicer stuff than me....much nicer.

Until Christmas....
DuBuyer is a NICE pot set....stainless steel, 5 layer sandwich metals....
Beyond SWEET luxury for me....

I've raced against scorching sauces and etc for so long....I don't know how to do otherwise. To not burn a pot every time I cook is a completely new experience....

And I just want to cry at times at how NICE it is to cook with such luxurious pots....I got two. One smaller and one bigger. The lids fit right on end where the handle meets the pot....it's nuts....never had stuff like this. Kinda unused to the luxury....but my family loves me. Then there's my custom, hand forged chef's knife makes cutting stuff up pretty easy too....

So I guess that entitles them to walk out with a pound of chicken salad I made for lunch last weekend....

If i have to. (Insert drama queen emoji here)
After all I have an image to uphold here....ROFL

 

[LifelongLearner]

Would you say that we are at a time in history that has never been repeated before?

I know they say that history may not repeat itself, but that it rhymes...

Have we been at other points that seemed this severe at all? (I ask because I'm curious as to how people managed to get through them.)

Thank goodness for the sureness of the Lord -- it's truly all we have.

And thank you very much for the kind comment about my skin and pic -- I've had many various issues over the years (severe acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema -- basically, a bit of everything!!) but another luxury God blessed me with was doctors who recognized something previous ones didn't, and seem to have me on an effective treatment plan.

I silently pray for others I see with skin issues, because I know how frustrating, depressing (bullying comments, etc.) and expensive it can be.

May God bless you richly with peace and comfort, @LifelongLearner!

"Would you say that we are at a time in history that has never been repeated before?"

Absolutely Seoulsis! No doubt about it now but think there's still at least decades to go. Also think things will get infinitely worse yet, there's no doubt in my mind the plug is being pulled on the current system.

There have been many devastating events in history that were regional or local, what's happening now is global and seems absolutely coordinated. It's what many people like myself have been expecting for decades and yes! Until i started believing in the Lord about 2 years 5 months ago, i felt there was no hope of a future for ordinary people. It's wonderful to know it'll be a wonderful beginning with the Lord as our ruler, not the evil, horrible end it would be if He didn't step in. It's really sad to me that so many think loving and appreciating God is slavery, not realising the alternative is real enslavement to this evil system.

Oh Seoul, that must have been so disheartening, it rocks there's a successful treatment now for you. Your skin looks gorgeous in that photo, you look lovely, God's blessings and hugs from me

 

[Lanolin]

Maybe it's time to get your glasses prescription updated.

There's a picture of me somewhere around this forum. Even back when I posted that, I was no great beauty. And it ain't got no better since.

Huh I thought you looked like a cute, furry cat. So that's not you at all?

 

[seoulsearch]

For literally multiple decades....
My cookware at my home has been termed "pathetic" or bargain hunter basement finds. Or stuff they stash in the basement of the discount store because they have much nicer stuff to sell for deep discount cheap prices....

That's been what I've used for too many decades to count. Cast offs, used, hand-me-downs. But I've used it and not thought too much about it. My Mother-in-law has nicer stuff than me....much nicer.

Until Christmas....
DuBuyer is a NICE pot set....stainless steel, 5 layer sandwich metals....
Beyond SWEET luxury for me....

I've raced against scorching sauces and etc for so long....I don't know how to do otherwise. To not burn a pot every time I cook is a completely new experience....

And I just want to cry at times at how NICE it is to cook with such luxurious pots....I got two. One smaller and one bigger. The lids fit right on end where the handle meets the pot....it's nuts....never had stuff like this. Kinda unused to the luxury....but my family loves me. Then there's my custom, hand forged chef's knife makes cutting stuff up pretty easy too....

So I guess that entitles them to walk out with a pound of chicken salad I made for lunch last weekend....

If i have to. (Insert drama queen emoji here)
After all I have an image to uphold here....ROFL

This was a cool story to read, thank you for sharing!

I love stories of when people find a way to make, do with what they have or are given and turn the results into a masterpiece!

I have some friends who try their best to use almost all hand-me-downs or recycled things in their projects.

But it's also delightful to hear about people upgrading their equipment, and finding out just how much of a difference it can make.

I started learning to sew on an old Kenmore that was built into the cabinet and an absolute pain to pull out and set up.

The first time I got to sew on a machine that you didn't have to worry about pinching your fingers between all the springs and didn't feel like resurrecting a lead weight, I was in heaven! True luxury at its finest!

Thanks again for sharing -- and even more for upholding your diva reputation, lol!

 

[Lanolin]

With the luxurious fur coat?

 

[Lanolin]

I mean surely those colours and patterns on your fur are just to look pretty.