OT
Sun,
Well said. The question then is how do you choose to live your life?
I have pasted an excerpt of an email I wrote awhile back to a friend:
I am, more and more each day, a minimalist. I am beginning to eschew material things in favor of living a life of modesty. I like owning stocks as a security blanket so to speak. However, you will not see me spending my $$ on flashy cars, name brand clothes etc etc. I have sworn off all malls and will only buy something when it is on sale. I have also taken to shopping at 2nd hand shops. There is a great feeling in finding a bargain. The best things in life do not come easily. The same could be said for that pair of jeans you want.
I find the materialistic wantings of our society at the root of all/most evils in our society. This was reinforced on my trip to Nepal this past April. The people there earned a meagre living(avg income $150/yr) yet were happier than my own nieces/nephews. I swore then that I would not raise my kids the way most are brought up; with expensive appetites and parents who will satiate them feeling they are helping their kids. This country is in a state of spiritual atrophy b/c of all of the "things" we need. We work 60 hrs/wk to buy the things we want and yet cannot enjoy them. Family ties are weaker than ever b/c of our schedules. The environment suffers. We suffer, feeling the stress of keeping up with the Joneses. It's a slippery slope that is not impossible to get off but difficult to admit to. Why? It feels good to have the things you want. But I've found that it feels better to deprive yourself of certain things and force yourself to wait before running out to buy that thing you need. It reinforces a feeling of self-control, something you don't have when you jump in the car and run to the mall.
IMHO, this is something which should be discussed more often as it concerns everyone on the planet, as a result of our actions. Additionally, we have been force fed the idea of an American Dream growing up that for many, including myself, does simply not ring true. Happiness can only come if you are free to some extent(we all need to make some money after all), but freedom will never come if you are tied to a job 50 hours plus a week.
Regards,
Brian |
