In the modern world people have the opportunity to acquire many different material objects for all kinds of reasons. For example, to make their life easier, a micro wave oven, a mobile phone. Or something that will give them pleasure like a luxurious car, a branded handbag or clothing, the latest sound system, plasma television, DVD player or massive house to name but a few. All of which people would, including myself, give perfectly valid reasons for owning them. And why not?
Why not indeed. But there is a flip side to this coin. The truth of the matter is that many people acquire these material goods in an attempt to make themselves happy. This reason is fundamentally wrong on a very deep level. You see, happiness should come from within. Have you ever seen rich or famous people who still seem to be unhappy? Using drugs and becoming addicts, alcoholics, suffering a string of broken relationships and marriages, plastic surgery all the time to make themselves physically more pleasing to the eye. Even sometimes committing suicide at very young ages. If owning all these material goods and having everything money can buy makes you happy, then why does this happen? Of course, most would agree that money gives you choices in life and can certainly make your life easier. But happy? No. Maybe on a superficial level yes, but not true happiness. That comes from within.
This feeds the argument that people who wish to be truly happy and at one with themselves should have nothing other than basic needs like food, a roof over your head and clothes on your back with a warm fire for winter. That’s great for those who desire that style of living. Personally, I prefer the balanced approach. Find happiness within and enjoy your material world at the same time, making sure that material goods are pleasing for me and enjoyable but not the attempted method to achieve deep happiness within. Unfortunately not many in this modern world of technology and greed see this. However, the winds of change are blowing and people are starting to see beyond their house, cars, 2.2 children and half a Labrador. It is a gradual wind, a mere whisper in the grand scheme of things, but gathering pace never the less. Long may it continue.
