The Beetle and the Rolls

(Expressing my gratitude to the CMMA for awarding the column Best Business Column for 2014.)

This is an old story circulating on the Internet, but it never fails to bring a smile on my face.

A man from Texas, who drives a Volkswagen Beetle, pulls up next to a guy in a Rolls Royce at a stop sign. Their windows are open and he yells at the guy in the Rolls, “Hey, you got a refrigerator in that Rolls?”

The guy in the Rolls says, “Yes, of course I do.”

“I got one too... see?” the Texan says.

“Uh, huh, yes, that’s very nice.”

“You got a fax machine?” asks the Texan.

“Why, actually, yes, I do.”

“I do too! See? It is right here!” brags the Texan.

The light is just about to turn green when the guy in the Volkswagen asks, “So, do you have a double bed in there?”

The guy in the Rolls replies, “NO! Do you?”

“Yep, got my double bed right here,” the Texan replies.

The light turns green and the man in the Volkswagen takes off.

Well, the guy in the Rolls is not about to be one-upped, so he immediately goes to a customizing shop and orders them to put a double bed in the back of his car. Two weeks later, he picks up his car and drives all over town looking for the Volkswagen beetle with the Texas plates. Finally, he sees it alongside the road, so he pulls his Rolls right next to it.

The windows on the Volkswagen are blurry and he feels somewhat awkward about it. He gets out of his newly modified Rolls and taps on the foggy window of the Volkswagen.

The man in the Volkswagen rolls down the window slightly and peeks.

The guy with the Rolls says, “Hey, remember me?”

“Yeah, yeah, I remember you,” replies the Texan, “What’s up?”

“Check this out...I got a double bed installed in my Rolls.”

The Texan exclaims, “YOU GOT ME OUT OF THE SHOWER JUST TO TELL ME THAT?”

When is it going to end?

Dale Carnegie asked a very interesting question, “Did you ever see an unhappy horse?”

Well, I haven’t. They all look pretty much the same to me.

Carnegie then asked another question, “Did you ever see a bird that had the blues?”

Well, I have never heard of a bird that can sing the blues.

Then Carnegie said the most amazing thing, “The reason why horses and birds are not unhappy is because horses and birds are not busy spending their time comparing themselves to other horses and birds.”

It’s true, isn’t it?

Only human beings are fond of comparison and as a result, always end up unhappy.      

We need to have a better house than others. My career should be more successful than others. This particular type of argument goes on ad infinitum.

Here is my take on this.

If you drive a Beetle or ride a bus on your way to work, then that’s good for you because there are many others who are walking barefoot.

If you drive a Rolls Royce, maybe a BMW or a Volvo, then I congratulate you. Enjoy the rewards of your hard work because you deserve it. But stop looking at the things you do not have and learn to appreciate the things that you have.

You have a job. You have a family. Your health is good. You have food. You have a roof on top of your head and clothes that protect your skin, so what’s your problem?

Stop focusing on material things and start enjoying the blessings. Material things aren’t the most important possessions in the world.

Strive to be the best you can be. When God brings the blessings, make sure you share them with those who are in need. This is the real wealth you should strive for.

Always remember this, “A person is truly great when he is not envious of his rival’s success.”  You can achieve this by being thankful for what God has given you.

(Spend two life-transforming days with Francis Kong learning leadership and life skills as he present Level Up Leadership on November 18-19 at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. For further inquiries, contact Inspire at 09158055910 or call 632-6310912 for details.)