Stop grasping for more
You ever notice that we're all caught in a constant struggle for more? I want a bigger house, I want a better car, I want a promotion, a cooler blackberry and the list goes on and on.
Seriously, is it just me? Everything we see is aimed at more. Excess has become the norm. I watched Supersize Me, which actually made me really ill, but one thing stood out in my mind that pertains to this. The small fry, the one in the white paper(ish) bag is what used to be the large when I was a kid.
Why do we need more? Why are we all constantly working to get more, to have more, to 'need' more? Is it something inherent in my generation? I grew up never wanting for anything I needed, and occasionally got something I wanted that was a little silly, but it just seems like it's always more more more. (can you sense a trend in my thinking?)
Fuck it!
No, I'm not going to quit my job and move into the forest and gather nuts for my family. Tho, I have thought about starting a commune - short dream, don't worry.
I am, however, going to start taking less work home, sitting and watching tv* or playing games with the kids, reading to them, working on the house and other things that will enrich my life more than being constantly plugged in and trying to make more to buy more to get more.
*we watched Phineas & Ferb tonight - what a funny ass show. The evil scientist is hilarious.
January 25th, 2009 - 00:23
As a kid, I had what I needed, but not much else. I think in my quest to make a better life for my kids, I might have failed to find the happy medium. When I was a kid, our family would get McDonalds once or twice a year. It was a major treat. McDonalds, to my kids has never been a big deal. Not that they’re spoiled, but I don’t think they realize how good they have it. They not only have the clothes and shoes that they need, but they have the luxury of saying, “I’d like to have this or that brand.” And I can usually accomodate them. I think many families these days are lacking something we used to have more of… quality family time. Good for you for recognizing and doing something about that for your kids.
January 25th, 2009 - 09:00
Food for thought, Matt:
Tao Te Ching #37
The Tao never does anything, yet through it all things are done.
If powerful men and women could center themselves in it,
the whole world would be transformed by itself, in its natural rhythms.
People would be content with their simple, everyday lives, in harmony, and free of desire.
When there is no desire, all things are at peace.
====
It’s that last line.
And yes, Phineas & Ferb is funny.
January 25th, 2009 - 10:29
It takes a lot of discipline to be a moderate person in an immoderate culture. (and, for the record… I’m not a particularly moderate person… but I try.)
Alison Veress last blog post..Citizen Cakelet
January 25th, 2009 - 17:03
John,
But how can we achieve that or even hope to come close to something that resembles that living the way we do? Philosophy is great, but how can we put it into practice?
Don’t get me wrong, I love what it means. I just can’t see a way of achieving something like that. I guess the closest I can get is to try to live that way and try to teach my kids that kind of lesson.
thanks for the quote dude.
January 25th, 2009 - 22:59
I live very simply, and love it. Love the moments. Love the simplicity of cooking and creating and sitting with the kids or running around after them. We lose time when we lose ourselves in things that aren’t that important. (I love Phinneas and Ferb too)
movindowntheroads last blog post..The other day, I cried
January 26th, 2009 - 17:23
Oh hell yeah! Moving here has definitely helped us get out of the “want a bigger house” or a “nicer car” thing. Especially since we finally have the dream house and have it eating up most of our paychecks.
We shop at Target and Kohl’s and aren’t ashamed to hit Ross and Marshall’s. We drive the same mini-van we got in ’01 and love that we got Hubz’ car from CarMax.
And since I started working a 4-day work week, I get to do more stuff for me, and more with the kids. Like date nights – and they love it.
Though… this is all for shit once I get my hands on Book 2 (and 3, and 4… to 16!) of the Anita Blake series.
Damn you, Matt!