Have you ever asked yourself or heard others say "If only I had ______________I'd be happy"? (You can fill in the blank). Happiness here is linked to having the right things with the usual list of desired items including money, success, good looks, and whatever consumer items are most popular at the time.
At age 21, John Robbins (of a large family ice-cream business) turned his back on financial wealth, and for 10 years found happiness by choosing to live a simple life on an island in Canada where he grew his own food and thrived on little money. Robbins challenges us to spend less and at the same time raise our quality of life. Consider that if people world- wide lived as the average North American or European lives, there would be a need for three to five more planets in order to supply resources and cope with the rubbish that would be created! Over-consumption and excess consumerism is destroying us. (For more on this see Active Hope, by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone).
Unfortunately the link between happiness and consumerism has been woven into our culture and for many the idea of either giving up or cutting back is viewed as threatening. What is more threatening, I feel, is the damage being done to our world as a result of consumerism. This goes beyond the excess garbage mentioned above. It includes the disappearance of forests, declining fish, bird and bee populations. As these losses pile up, we stand to lose the richness of community and much of what makes life meaningful and much of what makes people happy.
Christmas is just a few weeks away. Are you anxious and stressed? Ask yourself if the gifts you are frantically searching for will truly bring happiness to yourself and to the recipient. Perhaps this year you can cut back on buying new 'stuff' and instead provide the gift of time, or home baked goodies, or make donations on behalf of someone to a third world country or donate to local charities, etc. Perhaps you could visit those residing in care facilities, or elderly shut in neighbors. Giving in these ways has little impact on our planet but can have a big impact on a person's life and will bring happiness to both giver and recipient.
In closing, I invite readers to consider making changes that will protect the environment, rather than harm it. I wish all of you and your families a very Happy Christmas and a healthy and Happy New Year.
