Wealth in inconvenience

Yuichiro Noguchi
Aug 25
2 min read

Updated: Aug 26

Many people will long to own a car with the latest equipment. In addition to the cutting-edge design, the convenient and comfortable living space and ride comfort are truly one of the symbols of a convenient and rich life.

The latest ones are basically functional and convenient. Digital devices such as smartphones and personal computers are good examples. Therefore, when it is no longer the latest, it loses its existence value, and sooner or later it will be forced to replace it.

On the other hand, regular maintenance and repair costs are also required for old cars. It will take a lot of time and effort to use on a daily basis, so it will surely be inconvenient. Why do some people still choose old cars?

I think there are few people who feel valuable just because they are old, but at the time they were made, high-value things such as high-ranking flowers and special specifications are good examples.

The world is becoming more and more convenient and comfortable day by day, but that is not the case that people are getting happier and happier. People are unexpectedly nostalgic creatures, just as there are many people who say "it was good in the past" to young people after becoming adults.

While things like convenience and comfort are functional values that can be obtained from themselves, things that appeal to sensibility such as nostalgic have emotional value.

As mentioned above, while functional values change with the times and trends, emotional values are universal. Even if something better than what you value comes out, the time and emotions you have spent until then are irreplaceable. Even if the thing you cherish is gone, the memories of cherishing it will remain forever, and the emotions of that time will be revived along with the memories. In other words, isn't that irreplaceable thing that makes people feel happy, and that's the essence of abundance?

Functional and material richness will continue to evolve in the future. However, what makes people feel true happiness is the spiritual richness of the heart, and its values have not changed for hundreds of years.