It Must Be Nice

Have you ever had people tell you things like, “It must be nice”?

I think I actually used to say that. I don’t anymore, though.

It started to annoy me when people would make that comment towards me because of the things they saw me doing, accomplishing, or collecting. For example, when I purchased my second motorcycle I got that comment a lot. And when I purchased my third, well, I’m sure you figured that one out, too.

Now, I get that comment from people I spent the last decade hanging out with quite frequently. Because they see me going to concerts, going on trips, traveling, publishing books, etc. 

My responses have changed, though. Instead of being annoyed, I either smile and say, “Thank you. It is.” Or, if we have a certain kind of relationship I’ll remind them that they can have whatever life they want, too. It’s all a matter of priorities and choices. 

When I used to dream of traveling and going to concerts but was spending money on alcohol (and generously paying for those around me to eat and drink), I couldn’t afford those things. Not to mention, the people I was mostly hanging out with had no real interest in doing those things.

My ex shared a story with me many, many years ago that makes a lot of sense to me now. He was working at an electronics store where most of the employees made slightly more than minimum wage. A co-worker of his wanted a Mustang Saleen. 

Most of us are well aware that a souped up muscle car on a minimum wage budget seems a bit irresponsible. However, my ex shared that his friend would rather live in that car than to live in an apartment without it.

I thought that was absurd. However, who am I to judge what that man wanted, how he lived, or how he chose to spend his money?

The lesson in that, is that we can all get whatever it is that we want in life. The only thing stopping us is our priorities and the choices we make. Most of us want certain things, but don’t want to sacrifice other things that would make it possible for us.

For example, have you ever heard someone complain about being broke all the time? That they don’t have money to travel, pay bills, buy nice things, etc. Yet, those same people spend $5 on cigarettes, a drink, weed, etc. several times throughout the night seven days a week. Those $5 add up. Quicker than we realize.

I’m not passing judgment. Again, the lesson here is in priorities. So when someone living their life like that tells me that it must be nice to live mine the way that I do, I smile. Because, isn’t it truly wonderful to live life on our own terms? To get to pick and choose how we spend our money and what experiences we create for ourselves?

The more I prioritize the things that are important to me, the more other people, places, things, and opportunities that align with those priorities come to me.

And I hope that the people watching me who think that it must be nice realize that they are living their own “it must be nice” based on their priorities and choices. 

I started looking through pictures to add to this post and realized how amazing this life I’ve built truly is. I’ve been able to travel, attend live entertainment, sporting events, and more.

But the thing that makes it truly remarkable is the people I’m experiencing all of this with. My heart is truly full of love and gratitude for the people and experiences in my life. 

I’m not sharing any of this to “brag” or anything like that. I’m simply in awe that when I began making choices that aligned with my dream life, my dream life became my reality.

So, yes, it really is nice. I hope you’re living your “it must be nice” life, too!