Warning serious post ahead; No seriously, no DIY or humor ahead:
Allow me to start with one of my rambling stories; I was shopping in Walmart the other day and as I walked mindlessly through the aisle picking up items I needed I realized I absolutely hate that place.
I hate Walmart.
I hate everything it stands for, their fake low prices, their cheap non-American made goods, their lighting, their lack of selection, their listless employees, the fact that they treat their employees like shit so they only feel like acting listless, the fact they fuel money out of our local economy. And no, this isn’t some hippy bullshit feel free to Google it. So I said to myself “If you know you’re only contributing to the decrease of resources for all of your neighbors and you hate it why continue shopping there?”
Because it is easy.
Walmart has pretty much driven out the local competition so I would have to spend time and maybe a bit more money to find alternatives. Then, I started to ask myself if my time is so precious why am I spending it shopping in some place that I hate? Cause really, who just “runs in” to Walmart? By the time you park, wander around the store, wait in line, and finally navigate back out you’ve spent a lot of time. Which made me think:
How much of my time, my life, my morals, am I trading for easy?
How much more enriched would I feel if I had less, but loved the less more?
I’m thinking it is time for a radical change in my life, but change is so hard. I tend to think change isn’t hard (I’m wrong), but look at how many people diet (over a 40 BILLION dollar industry) but obesity is still rising in America. Clearly it isn’t easy to just change your habits. Plus what do I change? Haven’t people been looking for a enlightened, fulfilled lives for centuries? Well, I might not even be able to change and it seems unlikely I’ll find true enlightment, but I’m a firm believer that you never know unless you try. Here are the habits I plan on trying to learn to change.
- Less really can be more: Instead of 10 cheap knick-knacks I would rather have one pretty piece of art. (Bonus: if I learned the art of delayed gratification it would cost the same as ten cheap items) This might make our house bare for awhile but in the long run we’ll be happier with the final result. The same goes for clothes, electronics, etc… I have to remind myself a a few years back I decided I wanted a specific pair of black, leather boots. I then searched for two or three years never settling for less. Finally I found them (not cheaply) and bought them. I have worn them a thousand times and still love them. I could have had 6 pairs of cheaper boots in the same time, spent the same amount of money, and still never been satisfied. Satisfaction is what I’m going for here.
- Be more self-sufficient: Don’t get me wrong, I love electricity. I’m not ready to go off-grid. Ask Patrick how long my evening shower takes (hot running water makes us civilized). However, it is a little disconcerting to think I have zero interaction with the basic necessities of life, we don’t grow any food, build our shelter, or make our clothes. I sometimes think that disconnect makes me feel like I’m missing something. Earning money that is direct deposited into an account then accessed by swiping a card is EASY, but lacks the feel of pulling carrots for dinner. I’m hoping to do a little homesteading this year and relearn things my grandparents knew. If nothing else it will give me an appreciation for the items I buy.
- Spend my time more wisely: I love blogging and working on our website (We’ve got plans to overhaul it don’t worry), I also enjoying reading, crafting, and hanging out with friends and family. Maybe if I didn’t spend an hour sucked into watching someone rap on YouTube I could use that hour to pursue things I really want to do.
- Finally and maybe most importantly: Learn to appreciate what I already have: This one is going to be a real tough one. We live in a culture of want. We want the next best thing. Hello! How many people that had an iPhone waited in line to buy the new iPhone or iPad or…? This is the craziness we live in everyday and it is hard to separate all-consuming-want from a little-want. A little-want is a good thing. It powers ingenuity and gives drive, but all-consuming-want makes us feel unfulfilled and well frankly wanting more. I’m attempting to learn that I have enough food, a nice house, decent clothing, nice electronics, running cars… However, it is hard not to want more and finally turn the feeling into needing more. So wish me luck on learning this one.
I never was one for making resolutions. It just seemed to hard to live up to my own expectations of loosing ten pounds. Plus I’m not one for making changes just because it is the time of year to do it. I think the difference this time is that I am invested in making changes. In 2011 I’m going to try to make a major emotional and perceptive change in myself (and I’m going to try out this whole resolution thing). I may not manage it or it may not be what I really want in the end. However, I’m going to give at a try (an hopefully talk Patrick into it as well) and post on the blog to keep myself accountable.
In fact you, dear reader, can help! Ask me how it’s going, what my plans are, etc. Be nosy and maybe I’ll manage a life change.
Here’s to 2011! May everyone have a wonderful, fulfilling year.
Image courtesy of Mr. Thomas.
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