escaping materialism…

I’m tired of shallow people who find some sort of sick sense of self worth by the material possessions they have accumulated. I like to live a simple life. My goal has always been to escape materialism.

Western ideology and it’s ever prevalent way of thinking that “money can’t buy you happiness, but I’d sure like to try” is old, worn out, and really should be over by now. People don’t have caring and meaningful lives, they have caring and meaningful moments where they do something fairly good for another human being and pat themselves on the back for a job well done for weeks to come.

I like to work at the soup kitchen. I like to bring my teenage daughters. They get into it. But here’s the catch…they don’t get into it because they feel like they are doing some sort of “humanitarian volunteer work” that gives them brownie points with karma or the powers that be…. They like it because the people who come to eat at the soup kitchen are interesting to talk to, polite, and generally nice people who we like to be around.

Once, when I was discussing the soup kitchen thing with my step-daughter who is 8, she just didn’t get it. Maybe one day she will, but since she spends half of her time with another set of parents who place value on i-phones, coach purses, and every designer brand of clothes humanly possible, it doesn’t sink in for her yet. I feel bad for her. She told me that she wanted to work at the soup kitchen with us because it would be fun. She then went on to explain that she had recently seen a homeless….”er, um, less fortunate” person sleeping in a park. Yes, she corrected herself to say, “less fortunate”…..that must have been her mother’s coaching. It made me laugh inside though as I pondered the reality of who the less fortunate of western society really are? In my opinion, they are the shallow individuals who use shopping as therapy and a replacement for human contact.

I’d rather hug someone who slept outside last night then look at another plastic person in the mall asking me if she can spray me with the latest hundred dollar perfume sample. Yes, and while you’re at it, spray yourself in the eyes so you can actually FEEL something today that isn’t part of a sad, matrix-like, existence. Ok, well I’m sounding rather bitter now, and actually I feel sorry for the plastic girl with the perfume samples. She has no idea that her life is eroding and wasting away around her meaningless existence. But her fake smile is very, very, red and shiny…so maybe that’s a plus.

So, escaping materialism, yes….Here’s a short list of things to implement in your life to help you overcome a lack of depth.

• VIDEO GAMES: If you play video games every day, for God’s sake, stop. Limit yourself to one (yes I said it)…one day per week, for maybe an hour. It’s mindless and a waste of precious life
• TELEVISION: Turn it off, especially if you have small children. We never had cable until I got remarried two years ago, and I’d prefer it if we didn’t have it at all. Guess what? If your small children never watch television, they won’t get pre-programmed to become a shallow, ridiculous person. I think the first time we had cable, my son was ten. My children were the most well behaved, coolest kids ever…and still are. My son plays guitar in a band and does graphic layouts for bands on myspace (for cash), he writes music, draws, and is into photography. My two daughters read, love the library, draw, paint, sing, and actually have basic moral fiber. They don’t live in a plastic bubble. They listen to mainstream alternative music and do all the things that other teens do, they just “know the difference.”
• GO TO THE LIBRARY: It really is a cool place and reading is fun.
• WRITE: Write a blog, journal, make lists of things you are greatful for.
• GO OUTSIDE: Go for a walk, talk to the neighbors, enjoy the day.
• ATTEND AN ART FESTIVAL: Street art festivals are some of the best ways to meet people and see how other people spend their time. You may come up with a new hobby.
• LEARN SOMETHING NEW: Buy a sewing machine, learn to knit, make a ragdoll with your daughter
• BUY USED: I’m a trash digger, so I get lots of stuff for free. Yes, I stop in front of people’s houses and pick up furniture and other treasures. I also dumpster dive. If you can’t handle this, start by going to your local Goodwill or thrift store. I can look for hours at things, imagining who the previous owners were and what kind of life they may have led.

Okay, I won’t bombard you….That is a start. Oh, and one more thing. Force yourself to smile at people and make eye contact. Sometimes you need it more than they do.