01 Sep 2008 Wiesbaden, Germany
Category: Addiction
Today I want to talk about shopping. Not only a subject for women. Shopping has become an addiction for both, men and women. I don’t know exactly when it started here, maybe in the 80’s or 90’s and it has developed very much since. There are so many big brands and companies that want to sell their products that they created this atmosphere in which everyone wants to buy everything, even if it is not necessary.
TV advertisement, big signs saying ‘summer sale’, ‘Buy 1 get 1 free’ and apparently cheap offers everywhere. And the result? People buy what they really don’t need. When you walk through shops in a city you see things that have absolutely no sense. And apparently people buy it. Shopping seems to be something that you do when you are bored, not because you need something. I would only like to buy something if I need it.
Of course, different people have different opinions on what is necessary. But buying what is absolutely useless is a waste of money for me. I do not talk about decorating your room and making it look nice. If you go out and buy something, a picture or a statue and then you enjoy looking at it in your living room or your garden, it makes sense. This is not a waste of money. However going for shopping as an addiction and spending money because you just want to buy something, no matter what, this is unnecessary in my eyes. This money could be useful for you in another way or you could give it to poor people. Many people do not have the money to buy even everything that is necessary.
Maybe you think of poor people in India now and it is true, there are many of them who only buy what is absolutely necessary and sometimes they cannot afford even that. But there are also very rich people and it is unbelievable how much money they spend for example on the weddings of their children. These rich Indian people easily spend hundreds of thousands of Euro on a wedding. It has become a common business and this day is nothing else than a very big show so that everyone sees their wealth. And of course, if you would ask someone, he would say that he has the right to enjoy his money. There is a certain limit or an idea of how much is reasonable for your own enjoyment and how much is like burning money.
I am not a stingy person and I always tell everyone that you need to enjoy your life. But when shopping becomes an addiction like gambling, when your house gets more and more full, when you walk in the city and realize that you already have everything in these shops full of useless things, then I think it is time to rethink on what you spend your money.
I am very much in hurry to run to the airport. Our luggage is already in the car. See you from India tomorrow.
Tags:: Money, Addiction, India, Poor, Rich
4 Comments
Posted By Swami Balendu
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Shopping can certainly be a dangerous addiction! It makes people feel like they never have enough, even when they are completely fulfilled. They have so much stuff in their houses that they have to shove things into closets and they forget what they even own. They never wear all of their clothes because they don't even know they have them. The Chinese science of Feng Shui has very good guidelines and practices for getting rid of the clutter in your life. If you don't use it daily or weekly, then you probably don't need it. If you forget you own it for a few months, you don't need it! And if your house is packed full with things that you don't even love, there is no room for finding things that you do love. In Feng Shui, you should absolutely adore your possessions and wear, touch, or use them often. You should also give things away with frequency, or at least leave space in your house and your life for new things that you love. Again, energy should be flowing and moving in your life, not stagnant in a closet.
Reply By Emily on October 06, 2011 11:04
Many Americans feel very uncomfortable if they don't have enough money to buy things that are completely useless to them.
Reply By Rachel on December 30, 2010 03:49
Been so long since I've been in an airport. this picture make me really want to get flying!
Reply By hanah Lansing on December 30, 2010 03:47
My dad always says if you have enough extra stuff to fit in a storage shed it's time to get rid of your belongings. I think many cultures believe that getting more "stuff" is a reward and something to be excited about and work towards. The excess seems silly really, but only after you take a step back form it.
Reply By Jenny on October 19, 2010 04:32
Today was the last day of the school year 11/12. The children got their report cards, the olde...
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