Have you noticed how there are so many things happening to stress over? War, rumors of wars, inflation, food and gas prices soaring, children committing suicide, parents out of work, the thought of losing your retirement income, housing prices going up, up, up, and incomes going down, down, down. It seems we are spinning in circles with no way out of our negative cycles. Sometimes, it's easier to handle all the challenges if you take one thing at a time and make some common sense decisions how to decrease your anxiety over it. Here's some considerations when it comes to the idea of consumerism.
You are a consumer. You consume food at your favorite restaurant, shop at your favorite stores, and consume news you hear from anyone who you give your time and attention to. As a consumer you spend your hard earned money on the things you are consuming. You must purchase the food, clothes, and pay for the information you collect. If you go to a university to learn, you are purchasing the curriculum the school sells you in the form of tuition. If you are not in agreement with the philosophies being taught at one school you can go to another school and try again. But what about when you consume relationships?
Recently I heard someone say they "consume relationships" and move from one person to another always looking for "the right one," but they never seem to find the right one. Often, we look for distractions in our relationships that helps us manage (or avoid) our other concerns. But distraction isn't what you need, you need focused intent to work through your problems.
For instance, take your financial situation. Do you burn through your paycheck saving little to nothing for tomorrow? Relationships are expensive and if you are not in one, take this time to get your finances in order. Create a budget, pay off debt, increase your savings, don't waste the excess on wants and save the money for "needs." When the tire pops and you need to replace it, it's better to have the cash on hand than to spend it on fast-food or video games.
Robert Kiyosaki, real estate guru and author of Rich Dad/Poor Dad shared how the gap between the Rich and Poor is widening on his talk show Robert Kiyosaki Radio Show. He explains the changes that are coming in his new book The Capitalist Manifesto. He provides common sense suggestions for how to plan for your future and not let it arrive with you unprepared.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23