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Simple Living in a Materialistic World
We were sitting in the family room. My kids had
finished their first day back at school after the
holiday break, and my wife was working late.
Michael, my six-year-old son, was finger knitting.
Sarah, my eight-year-old, was knitting a scarf. I
sat near them and folded clothes. Occasionally
someone would share something that had happened
during the day, but otherwise it was quiet.
And as we sat there doing our chores, I began to
appreciate this time we were spending together.
The orgy of presents, travel, and Christmas
cookies was over. The routines and rhythms of the
work week had begun again. My kids needed
structure as badly as I did. We were getting it by
being together in this quiet, simple way.
As I sat there folding clothes, I marveled at how
little we really needed to be happy. It was quite
enough to just be together as we did our work.
Many of the gifts my kids received for Christmas
were already put away. As often happens, there was
a brief flurry of excitement when the gifts were
first discovered. Shortly after, the thrill of
ownership faded away. And while my kids may be too
young to understand it, I’d like them to know that
possessions don’t really make them happy. When you
live in a consumer-driven and materialistic
society, it’s just the message you receive. As
author Christopher Lasch states, "A mass
advertising culture creates consumers who are
perpetually unsatisfied, restless, anxious, and
bored."
I’d like my kids to know someday that the pursuit
of possessions has made more people unhappy than
happy, and that it actually ends up limiting their
freedom of choice in the world. I’d like them to
know that possessions can keep them focused on
their own self-interest, rather than focusing on
how they can benefit others. And I’d like them to
know that one of the keys to a happy life is the
pursuit of simple pleasures, which, in today’s day
and age, is an act of courage.
I thought about all of the possessions I had
somewhere in the house. How many of them had I
really used in the last 6 months? How many of them
really had an impact on my life or made me happy
beyond the first few minutes of receiving them?
Only a handful.
And as I sat there with my kids enjoying our time
together, I sensed that more trips to the Goodwill
were in order, as well as a greater commitment to
simple living in our family. John Burroughs, the
nineteenth-century naturalist, observed that "the
number of things we can really make our own is
limited. We cannot drink from the ocean be we ever
so thirsty. A cup of water from the spring is all
we need."
As parents in America today, we’re often made to
feel thirsty. We’re made to feel as though we need
to provide the latest gadgets for ourselves and
for our children. And it seems that at the rate
we’re going, these gadgets will cost us most of
our money and most of our time.
Don’t be fooled. All that you and your kids really
need is a "cup of water from the spring." It may
not impress your neighbors, but it will help your
family to feel happier.
It may even change your attitude about folding
clothes!
What's Related: Are We Really Depriving Our Kids? | 10 Frugal Ways to Show Them You Care
About the Author
Mark Brandenburg MA, CPCC, coaches busy parents by
phone to balance their life and improve their family
relationships. For a FREE twenty minute sample session
by phone; ebooks, courses, articles, and a FREE
newsletter, go to http://www.markbrandenburg.com. or
email him at mark@markbrandenburg.com
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 Recommended Reading: By following the shopping list, and using my coupons and club cards I saved over $102.00 on my grocery bill! The fact that everything is made in advance means no more last minute trips to the store for one or two things and walking out having spent valuable time in line and an extra $75.00. Now I just run to the dairy for fresh milk and eggs once or twice a week and that's it.
The first time I tried the recipes my daughters helped out in the kitchen and it turned into a fun learning experience and quality family time.
The recipes are easy to follow and well thought out. I didn't have to add anything at all to spice up the flavor.
Most importantly, the kids are hooked to, since they are responsible for kitchen cleanup. There are fewer nightly dishes. No more fighting over who has to scrub the pans. Fantastic book! (courtesy Amazon)
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