I am writing this as a random series of thoughts as a young man living in an ever-changing United States. I'll be writing about personal experiences primarily dealing with a) my recent relocation from a small town to a big city; b) my life as a consumer in this big, crazy economy of ours, and; c) my spirituality, and how I try to let it fit into everything I do. I won't say that I might not stray from these subjects, but for the time being that is what I'll be focusing on. So please, feel free to comment, make fun of, or just have a good time reading my blogs (and please ignore my very frantic writing style. I've got a lot on my mind and I think faster than I type). So...here we go.
As you just read one of the subjects of mine that I'll be concentrating on is this economy of ours. Now, I am not formally educated in the matters of economics, business, marketing or anything of that nature, and partially why I am writing this is to gain insight from (hopefully) more educated readers. I know this much however, I am a consumer. A buyer. I get stuff sold to me, and I utilize that stuff for my gain, in whatever respect. Now in this slowing economy, supposedly not in a recession (yet. it depends on who you talk to), it is strange to think we might start losing some of the creature comforts we are used to. For example, you can't go to Wal-Mart and put two-dozen espresso machines on your Amex just because they were on sale. I'm kidding I'm kidding, I'm not here to be one of those super-cynics, who bashes on every aspect of consumer culture, but seriously. Gas is at the highest we have ever seen, even relative to the 80's shortage (I can't cite that because it was on the news, and also because I'm too lazy to go searching for it. So, if you think I'm wrong, hop on Al Gore's highway and go find it). This is huge. From a personal stand-point, I'm already figuring out the shortest way to get to a possible job interview, and if I'll have to move within a closer proximity to the given company because it will actually be cheaper to pay more rent than to make the 20 mile commute (and I pay pretty low rent).
Now there are some who might say "this isn't right". I'd agree...to an extent. The more I think about it though, the more you have to accept the inevitable. The economy will probably get much worse before it gets better,(just take a quick gander at the MSN.com economic section). But let's really look at how that may be beneficial. Of course, some of you will disagree with me, and that's good. I want it. I very seldom get to talk to people on this level, so indulge me if you will. How would this be good you might ask? Well, back to my "buying stuff". Personally...I'm fatigued. I'm sick of being constantly bombarded with ads, commercials etc. I really don't want to spend any more money on cheap goods that only last so long or if I decide to buy the higher end stuff I cut corners in other aspects of my life. Does this "stuff" really make my happier??? In all reality...no. Maybe, if the economy slows, I might actually have to fix my stuff, or just learn to live without it, or possibly start making some things myself (and possibly save that money!?!?). Live a simpler existence.
Now in this instance, I am fortunate not to have kids and a mortgage (I said this instance, as far as the economy goes). I probably could start living a much simpler, cheaper lifestyle, and in fact I have. It's strange, it really is. All of the sudden I start feeling somewhat out of touch with a certain part of our culture. Now...before I get too far, as a disclaimer, I am not a sociopath, nor do I feel out of touch with reality or my fellow humans, (although my scrambled style of writing may lead you to think otherwise). Like I was saying, once you start to float out of the frenzied "me-want-now" attitude, you tend to feel a bit more....human. Think about it, the entire premise of our economy is that money and objects make us happy, and the more money and objects we have, the happier we are. Sad but true.
Now, is it wrong to want things? I would say yes and no. It is wrong to want it when it harms others or yourself. I know this because I'm already in a heap of debt from buying things I didn't need to buy, and inevitably I'm paying for it monetarily and mentally. Had I even payed for them with cash other than credit, I still doubt if I would be any happier, if anything I don't think I'd notice a difference. Now...I wouldn't mind owning a house, but shelter is somewhat more of a necessity than a Humvee (not that I have one). Now before you go all crazy and start saying I'm being contradictory hear me out. Certain things are going to be on your list. Perhaps, however, we need to start bypassing buying toys and the like and fix our simple needs and maybe just take care of ourselves and our families. Maybe we don't need the toys and massive houses. We went from a modest American dream to a vanity-filled, credit-induced, orgy of a nightmare that we will suffer for. Simplicity is key. The more of us that heed that message will no doubt be better off when we are older than the ones that choose not to.
So that ends my rant. Yes, I realize it realize was a spatter of my brain thrown at a canvas, but either way, please shoot input my way, negative, positive or in between. Thanks,
-C.
