The pace at which modern culture at times rushes and races leaves us breathless...
There is next the menace of consumerism that has become part and parcel of modern culture. Like a raging forest fire, it devours all in its wake, and us as well, so that far from being the masters of what we possess, we are in turn reduced to being its slaves. Instead of possessing, we are possessed by the things we own.
We live and thrive in a manner in which we talk about so many things but really when it comes down to it – at what point do we have no beneficial factor of all that we want.
We have divided the world into classes and categories: some belong to the first, others to the second, and still others to a third world.
Possibly, there might be categories and grades lower than these...And what is the prime criterion for this discrimination and classification?
Are human beings higher or lower in the social layer mainly because they pertain to different economic levels? Is the stature of a person gauged by the size of his or her pocket?
At some point Jack, I wonder who has the better quality of life in all the categories of people you are making reference to. We have and do so many things that we often times loose touch with the essential so busy taking care of all of these areas of our lives, and the material things we have made our own (or are trying to acquire, that is the things for which we have to work more because they are not yet paid for).
ReplyDeleteAll that said, who has the most wisdom, who is most emotionally intelligent, who is richest? It all depends on your set of values I guess.
We try to achieve something that we think we need it; but do we really need it? We have a good car and we try to buy a better one; we have a nice home and we try to buy a bigger one and so on.
ReplyDeleteThe classes you pointed are suggested by some economists and it draws the economical and technological level of countries. I also don't like these borders.
Any culture and country could have its own advantages and disadvantages. We learn so much things from Chinese and Indian culture and also they learn from Westerns and this is the beauty of life.
"Is the stature of a person gauged by the size of his or her pocket?"
You are right!
Peace!*
G’day Jack & friends,
ReplyDeleteNever been one for material possessions or a throw away type, if it is broken & can be fixed I got it fixed, I see the modern family with their big homes all looking like something out of home beautiful, and then I see exhausted faces on the Mums & Dads & unhappy children with rooms resembling Toy’s R Us home alone, or with baby sitters, & listen to the talk of the New big screen TV or the new car or the chat about the newest gadget they plan to buy & I wonder why.
It’s as if people now are not judged by their worth as a person but by their possessions, the more you have it seems the higher up on some social scale you are supposed to be. All the skills of providing the essentials needed in a normal family life, such as home cooking, sewing, cleaning, gardening even child rearing are being lost, as there is no time, it is easier to pay others to do it
Observing this I have come to the conclusion that in the struggle to get bigger & better they have been too exhausted to realise what is missing, the ability to relax & enjoy what they have.
Great blog Jack.... I actually had a conversation with my younger son about this. I look around at the 'stuff' we have accumulated and if I could zip back 25 years I would definitely do things differently. We recently had our floors redone and had to move everything out and as we slowly moved things back in, it was so peaceful having very little ... So, yes, going forward we have discussed downsizing.
ReplyDeleteI think that sometimes as I mentioned - "Instead of possessing, we are possessed by the things we own." It was something that was on my mind and I think all too often people don't appreciate the simplicity - rather they look for things to replace things that are not in life. Life within it's self is not soley based on obtaining things but when we thrive to be what we are not due to the sake of "keeping up with Jones", even though we may not even understand it.
ReplyDeleteI find for myself, obtaining things are great - but I am not
I think that sometimes as I mentioned - "Instead of possessing, we are possessed by the things we own." It was something that was on my mind and I think all too often people don't appreciate the simplicity - rather they look for things to replace things that are not in life. Life within it's self is not soley based on obtaining things but when we thrive to be what we are not due to the sake of "keeping up with Jones", even though we may not even understand it.
ReplyDeleteI find for myself, obtaining things are great - but I am not looking to replace life it's self only on image and material things. There is where the value of life is - in living within one's own means and you can't buy happiness. Sometimes what you buy has a effect that only until there is a a situation that comes to be - all the material th
I think that sometimes as I mentioned - "Instead of possessing, we are possessed by the things we own." It was something that was on my mind and I think all too often people don't appreciate the simplicity - rather they look for things to replace things that are not in life. Life within it's self is not soley based on obtaining things but when we thrive to be what we are not due to the sake of "keeping up with Jones", even though we may not even understand it.
ReplyDeleteI find for myself, obtaining things are great - but I am not looking to replace life it's self only on image and material things. There is where the value of life is - in living within ones own means and you can't buy happiness. Sometimes what you buy has a effect that only until there is a a situation that comes to be - all the material the material things in the world can't replace.
I am not going broke - lol - it was just a thought that came to mind.
However, value is to be able to live life, and enjoy what you have saved - and use it wisely. I guess it came to mind during this season where I see the credit cards come out and after the end of a season of celebration - the debt was not what it was all about. I could be wrong.
And then some will try to prove "worth" by means of how much they have. But one thing anyone can be assured of is that now in these days people can live within their own means in accordance to what they make and some will thrive to live out of their means to look as if there is much more. Thank you to all that read this as I think it's a valid message or what worth is all about. yeah...
Hmmm, not sure why comments seem not to be "sticking." I did read and comment on this one, earlier, though. Have a wonderful week, Jack!
ReplyDeleteAmericans have this mindset of he/she with the most toys wins... Well :-), I sure don't have the most toys, nor do I need or want them. I have a peaceful life with what I have, and like Muzzy, if it's broke, I fix it or get it fixed. I try not to throw perfectly good things away if they can be fixed. Also, when people finally realize there is a difference between need and want, it makes their lives so much simpler and easier...
ReplyDeleteHi Shanti,
ReplyDeleteThe mindset is not just in one country it's in many countries.
It's here in Canada as well as many other countries.
But the merit of what we have it for worth.
The need of going overboard with "things", is one that perhaps has become a culture of ten credit cards planning without thinking. But in the midst of a season that is a tradition. For myself, I plan on doing it simply and as well, I do believe in a simple manner rather than one that is based on "What one has". I think that there can be much pressure on people during times and occasions - but within what we need is much different to the non chalante choice of wants.
We all take somethings for granted. A person that arrives at a point where they have held onto their savings, or even the person that has not - regardless is prone to a possibility of being throwing into bankruptcy without even knowing it. Especially the the age group of 20 to 40.
If we can't have it there is another way, but sometime it's a risky way.
Remembering reasons for seasons is one thing we have come to forget. When children or Grandchildren make something to give a parent or a Grandparent, it means so much more than them having to save up all year, or ask an adult for $ to purchase umpteen presents for others. Call me crazy but I see no reason to go through all that... $ seems to equate love anymore. The more you spend, the more you love someone... and the kids of today are asked what does this, or that holiday mean to you, their answer..?... Presents! Sad... The parents aren't much better, ask dear old Dad, he'll say, the game will be on TV, Mom is thinking of the little bauble her spouse will hopefully buy her from the jewelry store... And so it goes, the reason for the seasons are lost... but not the greed behind them. And the TV takes full advantage of this mindset... by the time everyone is through buying for everyone else, you're paying for it till the next season, then it starts all over again! So, the more money you have, the more you spend... hoping they will love you more, and the expectation of the other that you will get a better 'toy' .. Until by the time you are in your 40's you need to clean ho
ReplyDeleteRemembering reasons for seasons is one thing we have come to forget. When children or Grandchildren make something to give a parent or a Grandparent, it means so much more than them having to save up all year, or ask an adult for $ to purchase umpteen presents for others. Call me crazy but I see no reason to go through all that... $ seems to equate love anymore. The more you spend, the more you love someone... and the kids of today are asked what does this, or that holiday mean to you, their answer..?... Presents! Sad... The parents aren't much better, ask dear old Dad, he'll say, the game will be on TV, Mom is thinking of the little bauble her spouse will hopefully buy her from the jewelry store... And so it goes, the reason for the seasons are lost... but not the greed behind them. And the TV takes full advantage of this mindset... by the time everyone is through buying for everyone else, you're paying for it till the next season, then it starts all over again! So, the more money you have, the more you spend... hoping they will love you more, and the expectation of the other that you will get a better 'toy' .. Until by the time you are in your 40's you need to clean house because of all the 'junk' you have acquired that you didn't NEED... I have found that more is not always better ;-D. If I do need something, yes I will buy it, but if it's only a want... I don't really need it, I'll wind up giving it away anyway...:-).
ReplyDelete