J . M A I L

Haircut for the Soul

This afternoon I thought a bit about yesterday’s post. I thought a bit about wanting things. I thought a bit about why I want things and what those things can bring.

Now while I sit typing on a nice little computer the feeling that I want a new laptop makes no real sense. Yes, I do not currently have working laptop of my own.

**** the red brick cafe just started playing the song I am currently listening to. crazy ****

I do not have a good working laptop but I have this nice laptop my advisor lent to me that does everything I could need it to do.

I already have a media center that works well. I wouldn’t need a new media center unless I got a new tv. I do not need a tv. Yes, I currently do not own a tv, I have an old second hand computer monitor that I use as a TV but I do not have any need for a bigger better tv and should really spend less time watching tv anyways.

If I got these things how long would they bring me joy or pleasure? An hour, a day, a week. Would I be any happier owning these things…. no.

What then should I want. I started to think I should want things are bring me more self improvements. While everything is imperiment devoting time/money/effort to one’s own self seems like a better choice then devoting effort and thought to wanting things that will not make me any happier. Yoga/the gym/climbing/eating well/working on my thesis can bring me happiness by affording me the opportunity to focus my mind and body.

What I could use is a haircut. I play around with the idea of shaving my head every couple of weeks. It is cheap and easy and I never have to wait for a cut. I don’t know how it would look though. I need all the help I can get to look ok.

So today I have two questions.

1. Acknowledging that I don’t look good with long hair, it gets all curly and silly. Should I get a regular hair cut asap or buzz my head (likely using a number 3).

2. When is it ok to want new trvial things like electronics? Should I be thinking about a new media center, tv, laptop or just realize that wanting stuff is waste of my time.