It is wonderful to have machines, tools, and supplies that allow us to make our tasks easier and lives more comfortable. And it is lovely to have not only what we need, but some items that we want, which are charming, practical, and beautiful. But how much do we really need?
A recent Netflix documentary I began watching, “The Shopping Conspiracy,” notes how economics and consumerism have driven huge mass production, and several noted large companies are known to use strategies to manipulate us to buy more than needed merchandise, and the waste continues to build up in our landfills, and pollute land or water.
So, again, like many others, I wonder, how much do we really need?
Years ago, I enjoyed listening to an English gentleman talk about saving buttons and adding patches to, or mending, well-worn clothing…not just getting rid of them. Many of us grew up in homes that did this.
Many of us pass on our used products to good causes: Red Cross, Goodwill, Salvation Army, homeless shelters, churches, or other helpful organizations.
A few years ago, a friend who works in the fashion industry alerted us on Facebook about the overproduction of clothing and merchandise. She recommended buying fewer, higher quality, longer lasting.
In the 1970s it was easy to have the basics. A noted practice was to have a practical, limited number of shoes and clothing which could be combined easily for different outfits.
My father, around the year 1972, once said (with a grin) “Why have more than two pairs of pants? You wear one and the other is in the wash.” Hmm. That’s minimalist thinking! I also remember him saying “Know the difference between your needs and wants.” (Great point!) I knew our family of six lived within a budget, saved, and invested for the future. I don’t think we wasted much, because I think we stayed mainly within our needs, and the “wants,” that arrived at Christmas, or a new bike for a birthday, felt really special.
I feel a lot of gratitude for lessons I learned in childhood, and for the practice of continued learning throughout life.
We have the freedom to choose what we do, and how we want to be. Exploring what we think and do can bring great changes. Personally, I’ve needed to explore (and still do) questions like: How did/do I feel? What are more loving actions? How do I create this or that? How do I heal some wounds and felt-hurt feelings? What do I really believe and how, really, do I choose to live my life?
The exploration changes the feelings, and deeper understanding comes. It is good to investigate, get more information, heal when needed, and choose more wisely the next time. We become different by learning more and having a variety of experiences too.
My vocation was with health and life strategies, which led to an active, progressive study and evaluation of experiences, and opportunities for me to grow and mature with intention of health and love—body, mind, spirit.
My husband—and this is my opinion, has focused on successful strategies for job and personal accomplishments. Together, we have met opportunities to help each other expand in harmony and efficient ways for our endeavors.
It's powerful to learn more and go deeper, to understand what is really needed and wanted; to learn to let go of the detrimental or unnecessary; to daily have gratitude, and to forgive self and others.
These are helpful assets for us and the earth.
May this season, which is upon us, entail good directions for our love, peace, joy, inner awareness for how we choose to create our lives.
And yes, the ability to know how much is enough, on the outside in our environment—and on the inside, within ourselves, are important to consider.
Just some thoughts. Wishing us all goodness in our endeavors,
Sharon
Bình luận