Financial Worth vs. Priceless Moments by Julia L.

Today’s world is way too consumer-friendly. All those annoying pop-ups on the computer, flashy billboards, and magazines with 40 pages of advertisements, it’s crazy how many temptations we face each day. Everywhere we look, someone is trying to sell us something. Is it worth it? Do we really need everything that we buy? Does it have any value? What would you consider valuable? These are all questions that we have to ask ourselves everyday.

I consider my iPod and speakers of financial value. Everyday, at around 2:30, I switch on my iPod. The screen glows in life and the blue light on top of the speakers flickers on. It takes a moment, but sound starts to vibrate in the speakers. Finally, the beat to “Speak Easy” by 311 is playing full blast. I love this song. It is my favorite song of all time. The beat fills my head and vibrates the pen lying next to it. It can play any song I want it to, when I want it to, much better than the radio. It looks better then a clunky stereo, with the blue metal of the iPod and the smooth silver of the speakers. It is much easier to carry around, because it is so small. It is enough to get me energized after school. It gives me just enough motivation to start on my mound of homework everyday.

The lights are blinding your eyes, putting you and your band in the spotlight. We put our heads down and start hissing, building the anticipation. The drum major takes her position. Finally, the announcer says, “South Hadley TigerPride marching band, you may take the field in exhibition,” and the drum major blows her whistle and salutes. She gives the signal and we all stand up straight in the ready position, screaming “huh” at the top of our lungs. Off we go, trying to stay with the beat and footsteps, swirling patterns with music to go along. Forming set after set, aware of the penetrating eyes, but doing everything you can to ignore them. Concentrating on which direction you are supposed to be moving and the amazingly hard music you are supposed to be playing at the same time. We move through one song and the others start with just a momentary break to catch your breath. We move through one final set and we’re done, just as fast as we started. Sighing with relief, we march forwards and off the field. We did well, but not as well as we could have done. All shame-faced, we seed around Mr.Wardwell. He is not impressed, but what’s done is done and all we can do is hope. After, a brief motivational speech, we go and change out of our uniforms. Then, we run to bleachers as one massive group and have fun for the rest of the night. We talk and play games and try to forget the horrifying, but exhilarating experience that just ended.

Each of these moments has value to me. They each have their greatness and their flaws. My iPod and speakers are fun. I don’t have worry about who is watching when I scream my head off. In band competitions, I am part of something. Everything we do is in a group and in preparation for those few moments on the football field. I like being part of something and having so many friends, but those competitions are stressful. Both moments are a way of expressing myself, but if I had to pick one moment, then I would have to say the band competitions. It is stressful, but the fun that follows is something I would never trade. That sense of belonging is amazing, the band room is like my second home. I know I can talk to anyone in there. If one person has a problem, then everyone has a problem. We are a family.

In this consumer-friendly world, we really need to take a step back and examine ourselves. Do we need all of these little accessories or whatever we may have an impulse to buy? What would you rather spend your time doing? I made a list of all of my financial values and one of all of my priceless values, which was twice as long, but I did not realize that until I wrote it all down. I was blinded by the price tag that this world puts on everything. An iPod may be worth 150 dollars, but are you willing to give up the game-winning run or the Sunday traditions, moments when you are just so excited or when you are bursting with pride, for those 150 dollars. I wouldn’t trade one moment of exhilarating pride for a lifetime of listening to songs on an iPod. Many people are so tangled up in price tags that they do not realize the joy of priceless moments. Are these really the people that we want to be? I know that I am no longer one of them.