Appreciation

I was thinking about something kind of complicated. Maybe you can help me figure it out. My thoughts were kind of about people and how we're all different. As people, what makes us tick? Here's what's been on my mind. People just don't seem to understand each other, and I've specifically been focusing on appreciation. I mean, you can do everything in the world for someone, but they won't appreciate you. I just don't get why people don't recognize certain things as valuable. We all have different views and opinions, but for the most part (I think), people are generally looking for the same thing. Why is it that you can be the most reliable, loyal friend in the world, yet you can still be viewed as just another friend, and because you're not as convenient as others you get kicked to the curb? Well, kicked to the curb is maybe a little drastic, but if you're not the most convenient, you have to take a back seat to those that aren't as possessing of these qualities just because they are the most convenient. I don't get it. I've never been able to figure out the human mind. People appreciate ease and convenience far more than quality and worth. I'm not just talking about in our interactions with others, look at wal-mart. It's a small business killer. The shops that used to provide quality and variety in different products are falling to the wal-mart onslaught. People just want to know where they can get what they want the quickest and cheapest. Then once they've supported the big business and the small specialty shops die, they wonder why "they don't make things like they used to". It's all the same, people settle for the convenient and when the quality is gone, they miss it. I've tried to keep this as my life philosophy for the last year now (that is, not letting go of quality for convenience in anything), and I know I'm not perfect. I still fall subject to human emotions and feelings. However, I don't want to be like this. I want to fill my life with things that are of worth and are going to last. If something has more value to me, I'm going to choose that over something that is just easy. I'm not going to sacrifice happiness for pleasure, it's just not worth it in the end. Let's face it, when has taking the easier road been the better option? I want the things that are of worth to be around long after the 'convenient' things lose their luster. I appreciate quality, and the extra work will be worth it in the end.