Ways To Simplify

It is amazing to me just how many things get thrown out on a daily basis. It is equally sad that the “flavor of the week” fashion item or latest toy is purchased by the avid consumer, only to be discarded shortly thereafter. Imagine the amount of natural resources that are wasted just to satiate unquenchable desires to have the latest and the greatest?

Uncontrolled consumerism is, in my opinion, not only detrimental to society and the world but to the individual as well. Buddhism, a spiritual practice I hold in high esteem, teaches that desire is the cause of suffering. This could not be closer to the truth. Imagine a time when you really wanted something; You thought of nothing but how to attain this coveted object. Then what happened when you finally attained it? You were no longer interested in it.

A very interesting article on MSNBC caught my attention recently: For frugalists, bargain hunting is a lifestyle. In this article, the author writes, “It’s no secret that American culture is a consumer culture. We like big cars, big houses and big bags of things bought at big malls and big-box retailers. On the opposite end of the spectrum are the few people who call themselves anti-consumerists, freegans, frugalists or just plain Dumpster divers. Whatever the moniker, these people delight in drastically reducing their consumer spending, finding life’s essentials at bargain prices or paying nothing at all.”

I salute these so-called “freegans”; They are people with the insight to realize that our limited resources are strained and are already running out. Maybe collectively, we can make a difference in the world. Instead of being consumers, perhaps we can work together towards taking only what we need and letting the rest be?

Filed under: Frugality on June 3rd, 2008