We live in a culture of sacristy. Thousands of advertisements tell us we need to get something to be happy and fulfilled. Implied is the idea that we do not have enough or that life is is always about getting more. The idea of scarcity and advertisements do help businesses sell products and help companies grow. But does it help people, our culture, or our mental and physical health?
If we believe the notion that we don't have enough, we spend our lives striving to make more money, get a better job or home, find the right friends, .... In other words we focus on the future, improvement, and what we want. There's nothing wrong with improving and changing. But if it becomes our only focus, and we forget to enjoy the present, this culture of scarsity can lead to a life of busy-ness, striving, a life with few margins or room for spontaneity...a life with little gratitude or joy.
If you've noticed yourself rushing, having few times of contentment or gratitude, or constant fatigue, perhaps you need a vacation (or stay-cation) from the culture of scarsity. Take on week (day, hour, year) to be fully in the culture of plenty. Spend time each day being grateful for what you already have, don't go shopping (even on-line shopping), avoid advertisements, use the time you normally shop or watch to do something you really enjoy. Do something spontaneous. Live simply during you stay-cation. Instead of going out to eat, cook from the things in your home. Play a card game instead of watching TV. Call or visit a friend whom you enjoy being with. Have unplanned time each day. End each day making a list of what is plentiful and joyful in you life. Think of simple activities you enjoyed when you were younger and do one. If you have a child or pet allow them to set the agenda for some play time and learn from them how they take pleasure. Kids and pets are great teachers in living in the present.
Stop trying to work things out before their time has come. Accept limitations living one day at day at time. Enjoy each moment. Just be.
“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.” H. D. Thoreau
No comments:
Post a Comment