We live in a "Buy to be Happy" world, material accumulation has become the commodity that lives are being exchanged for. It seems that many people put a lot of emphasis on what they can come to own or obtain in order to increase the comfort in which they live. I cannot say that I totally disagree with that notion of thinking, thus my problem. It creates an interesting paradox; being a man content with what is mine, and being willing to share what is mine versus acquiring more stuff and keeping it, because it may one day be needed. How do I juxtapose my desire to help those that are less fortunate with my desire to have all of the new "cool" stuff that I know will make me happy - for a moment, I think?
It seems those that have less want more and those that have more want more. I have more stuff than some people, but I still desire more; like a new car, new house and better clothes. The only thing I notice being wrong with that is that I want it for my enjoyment and for my pleasure. It makes me feel selfish, to want more than I need, when there are those who do not even have the necessities that I've come to take for granted - running water, electricity, heat in my home, even having a bed. So the questions I know I ask myself are, do I abandon my desire to feed this happiness guaranteeing facade of materialism? Do I abstain from my dogmatic desires to worship self? Am I willing to help those who are the most in need? Am I able to help, where I'm needed, even it makes me feel uncomfortable?
I'm not sure I know where the middle is and how much I should be willing to help. I guess the apostle Paul was correct when he said to be content in whatever state you're in. Now I ask myself how do I do that when I don't feel content?
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1 comment:
DNQ left the following:
how do you know if you're not content? If 5 days out 7 you are content
and you have 2 very bad days would you rate that overall a discontent?
I don't think it is the feeling of content...ness....ish. I personally
think that material possessions are another epithet to emotional
influence, does that make sense? It is the feeling of having the
material that makes you happy and once the feeling is not met with
successfully owning the material your emotions turn around, making it
seem as if you just lost something (when you never really had it). In
other words, material possesions can either masks or bring out your true
feelings, which is it for you?
I think you already know the answer to your questions regarding giving
and how much to give. It is just the matter of listening! You didn't
fully answer your the question of your blog, which is the title. My
questions are, do you feel content when you buy? AND...do you feel
content when you give?
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