Publisher

PUBLISHER

The fact that Black Friday seemingly has become a more anticipated day than Thanksgiving says something to me about American culture. Somewhere along the way, our collective focus shifted from gratitude to grabbing-tude, getting everything we can as we quickly as we can regardless of the cost. It seems, at least from my view in the cheap seats, that we've become enamored with stuff at the cost of relationships.

While there's nothing inherently wrong with wanting the newest, best and most, it causes trouble when acquisition becomes the driving force in our lives. Let's face it, there's always going to be someone who has better toys than we do. When we look longingly at those toys that are beyond our reach, our happiness, if we're not careful, turns to bitter covetousness.

Once that switch flips, then we start living in a mindset of scarcity instead of abundance. The people around us become our competition instead of our neighbors. Us versus them is the theme of our lives.

Competition turns to combat. Mutual respect is the victim of our needless battles.

And we pay this great cost for what? A pile of stuff that by design breaks and becomes obsolete.

As you can tell (sorry!?!), this is a soapbox issue for me. We have three kids at home, who, thanks to ever-present technology, are never out of the reach of marketers. Lisa and I have redoubled our efforts to teach them the value of people over products.

Just before Thanksgiving, Lisa and I escaped for a few days on a nameless beach. We had no plans except to be present for each, reconnect and recharge. It worked.

Then, when Thanksgiving rolled around, we loaded up the RV again. This time it was all of us. Five loud, busy people in a bus for a 10-hour drive from Boerne to Baton Rouge. I'm not going to lie, there were times we all wanted to strangle one another. . . or at least one of our brood, but we also laughed until our sides hurt and talked and lived. It was messy, real and fun.

The trip wasn't fancy, but it was memorable. As we're considering Christmas and the kids' wish lists, we're choosing to give them experiences over stuff. Memories over manufacturing. As an added bonus, experiences are immune to supply chain issues.

While there are a lot of things I enjoy about working in ranch real estate, one of my favorites is connecting people with land and elbow room. Sunrises. Sunsets. S'mores. And on and on. . . .

Out there on ranches in the middle of nature, relationships flourish. Ranches are special places that allow families to gather their special people and create experiences that last much longer than the next generation iPhone or Xbox.

In the Judeo-Christian tradition, Christmas is a time of joy and hope. A time of reflection, renewal and refocusing on the possibilities of peace and people. As we gather in our home during this sacred season, we're going to be grateful for what is and be content in our abundance. I wish the same for you and yours. . . .

TOM ALEXANDER

PUBLISHER

TALEXANDER@LAND.COM