The journals of Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus and Captain James Cook are inspiring, and speak of men of adventure in their blood and who must go over that mountain, or get into a boat and sail off and see if there really is an edge to the world, or diamonds and gemstones for riches and glory.
And of course there was always the need to find riches. Glory would not repay the king and those who had paid for your journey. Lucky us. Now if we want to look glorious we have learned to click on the net.
Now, rather than bundle up in rags and forty pair of ill fitting shoes, now our Lady Marco Polo can sit in the comfort of her favorite chair, invite her chums over, only the good ones, for a pajama net diamond hunt. My teen age grand daughters have shown this world to me, and it just amazes us elders how quickly generations outdistance their parents, let alone their grand parents.
And the difference between the boys and the girls on how they see the changes. The boys are fascinated with the massive action and huge machinery working the immense oil sands of Alberta. My 22 year old grandson is working there and is now a foreman and is driving a huge new truck and making big money. His 21 young old brother worked with me in construction and at my hotel and now is earning his construction ticket and I feel both lads have assured futures.
Very differently with my 18 and 16 year old grand daughters, who have read about the massive new diamond finds north of those oil fields, and while the boys find diamonds of less interest than driving a huge machine in the oil fields, the girls are learning they can make an investment at low bid prices on the net, now more than ever.
Now, as much as hang out at the mall, the grand daughters gather around their new computer, while the lads drive around in the new and very expensive and depreciating new truck. They all have received a computer, over the years.
Both grand daughters received their computers from a doting grand father for such good grades. Now, they have part time jobs and are taking more schooling. But in their spare time, they and their friends are giggling and huddled around the computer, no longer the television set, or out at the mall.
The girls find so many net sales sites and others and the ladies find they can have a ball, learning how to negotiate but it is easier with a computer, rather than an intimidating older person at a jewelry store counter saying you want to offer me WHAT for this diamond? She would run away, frightened.
Here, you even see it: one will look shocked as the other places an extreme low bid on some gorgeous diamond, as if that clerk was barking over their shoulder that you can not have that for that price. It is not possible.
And the girls find it is possible. They wear in when they browse past that jewelry store in the mall, when they bother. Katie gives that lady a wave with her diamond bracelet hand, with a big smile. It is a great way for a young lady to feel a sense of power and maturity. Makes my day.
Wonderful and amazing can only describe the affluence that seems to be available each year. We must take care that we apply our good brains to apply ourselves to our careers, and be of good fellowship to all.
But there can also be something very uplifting to allow oneself an occasional little treat. And the more it makes you smile and feel good, and also rich, is good.
We need to repeat to our grand children that most of all, do not waste hard earned money. But feel the excitement of placing a ridiculous low bid on an item that would make you glow.
And if you know, as you glow, you paid low, you will show humility and joy and deep satisfaction. That you take care of you, even on the tightest of budgets,is good for you. Always. And the new expensive and impressive truck will be worth half in a decade, while the safety deposit box for safe storage is already being thought about.Which will be the wise investment as seen a decade from now? I think my grand daughters know.
