Sunday, April 27, 2008

"Stuff"


Usually the more you have..the more you want. We live in such excess in the US that we take it for granted. If you have lived in the US all of your life, and never traveled overseas, you cannot comprehend the poverty that 80% of the world lives in. I cannot comprehend it. Did you know that half the world — nearly three billion people — live on less than two dollars a day. According to UNICEF, 26,500-30,000 children die each day due to poverty


Here in the US, if we don't have a huge house..we think are poor. If we don't have 2 cars..we think are poor. If we don't clothe our children in brand name clothes...we think are poor. That is just not reality. Reality is that if you have a roof over your head, and enough food to feed your kids, you are doing better than 80% of the world.


We live in a consumerism-obsessed culture. We see it on TV..we want it. The neighbor has it..we want it. A family member has it..we want it. Do you know that the whole purpose of marketing is to make you feel like your current state is not good enough. They want you to want "stuff". They put "want creators" on TV, on the Internet, junk mail, and on billboards. It's everywhere. And now that I am aware of it, it's kind of driving me crazy. :)

I really hate clutter, so I am taking drastic measures to get rid of "stuff"

* I donate LOTS of stuff to Goodwill. 2 truckloads during our recent move.

* I am teaching my children the difference between want and need. This is a lesson every time we enter a store.

* I buy USED whenever possible..Craigslist/Freecycle/Cheapcycle, garage sales, consignment/thrift stores, etc..

* I am teaching my children contentment.

* I am teaching my children to take care of what they have. To appreciate the things they are given. To appreciate what they have, and not worry so much about what they don't have.


I understand wanting to give your children nice things. I understand wanting your children to have more than you had..
But if I give my kids everything they want, the moment they want it, without having to work for it, or wait for it... I am not preparing them for reality. I would be raising spoiled brats, that appreciate nothing, and that will grow to expect that the world owes them a living.









4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good Work Staci!!! :)

There is definatly a lesson to be learned there by everyone.

Thanks for the reminder to think about what it is that we actually need and what it is that we simply want...

Talk to you later,
Em

Anonymous said...

Amen to that!
Libby

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

Wonderful post. I use to be so materialistic but really learned that stuff is just that...stuff. Meaningless without God. Now, I view a lot of extras like clutter.

Julie said...

I was raised a spoiled brat. :)

I want so much more for my children. We are working to make sure they understand want vs neeed. Also, we are trying to show them that spending time together doing stuff as a family is so much more fun than going to expensive places or having expensive toys and entertainment.