Too Much Stuff

[Carly Sutherland]

I bet at least one person today asked you, "So, what did you get for Christmas?"  We live in a society where "things" are valued sometimes more than personal relationships. New phones, larger flat screen TVs, designer clothes...all of these commodities are in high demands so that we can fill our spaces with the best of the best--possessions that people will admire you for having. 

The funny thing is that when you really look at what you want in life-- what will be the thing you are most proud of when you are an old lady/man, it probably has nothing to do with material possessions. It most likely will be the relationships you've built, the children you've raised, and the laughter that has filled your life.

So next time you convince yourself that you really need the 4g iphone, or the newest, latest whatever--ask yourself, "Will this help me get to what I really want out of life, or is it just a distraction?"  Chances are we can all do without so much stuff.

[Keely Ward]

I completely agree with you, there are so many things that I own that I have no need for. To be honest, if someone got rid of a lot of the "things" I have I might not even notice. It would be nice to see if everyone got rid of some of the "stuff" in their life if people took the time instead to develop better relationships.

[Duncan Brown]

I really enjoy backpacking out in the wilderness, and one of my favorite aspects of it is discovering what I do and do not need.  Its odd how delicious food tastes and how welcome relaxation and good company becomes after a 10 mile trek with a pack.  I find that once all the crap is stripped away its easier to appreciate the essentials and enjoy what life has to offer.  Simultaneously, I do enjoy going to nice restaurants and I do enjoy my iPhone, but I don't need them.  I wish more people would make that distinction.

[Gabriel Clayborne]

I totally agree. People today are so materialistic and think the more the better. Technology isn't bad, it is a good thing. But it shouldn't be a top priority in life. Building family relationships and new friendships are so much more important. A relationship that has been over a long period of time, I think is one of the greatest things in life. A relationship you will have until your grave. The stuff you buy will eventually break and you will forget about it.

[Daniel An]

this is very true. people value so many things now that we are so much more developed than the world was ever before. When we die we die hand free. all the things we have will be all left behind after we die and therefore what we have and how much we have isn't really important. Of course it shows your background by looking at how many and how good the objects you own are but people shouldn't invest so much on little useless thing just to seem cool

[Ace Atristain]

I actually just asked my grandfather what his most valued possesion is and he responed with his friendship he built over decades with his recently departed best friend. He had known him for his entire life and my grandfather said that the trust and relationship they built was more than he could have ever wanted in life.  To me, that is pure happiness without regret. It was easy to tell that he would have given everything for that friendship. And I hope I acquire such an important moment before it's too late.

[Steven Rawls]

I agree, people in today's society get too caught up in the demand for the newest technology. The best things in life can't be bought. With the amazing advances in technology, this just increases the demand for a certain product. We have to value others, not material possesions.

[suzanne reidelberger]

I agree entirely. Another thing that ties into that is that, in a sense, our  things have become our relationships, or our relationships have become things. Think about it-- facebook, texting... It's how we keep up with our social lives. It's how we have our relationships with others. And most of us would greatly like to deny that, yet we're all guilty of it. We all have those "friendships" that we think are solid and realistic, but the only time we ever talk to the people is through facebook messaging, or by texting them 24/7. That's not a relationship with a person, that's a relationship with your phone.

[Austin Smock]

I agree with what max is saying but i disagree a little more than i agree. I think that technnology is a big part of our culture today that we shouldn't just ignore. Without the new Technology you wont stay well conected with friends and the rest of the world .Today without being connected you fall behind and might miss out on some of the great stuff life today has to offer.

[Max Plichta]

I'm going to have to say I agree and disagree with this. I think that its a wonderful thing that in our culture we can spend our money freely, to buy anything we can imagin. I also think this is a rather large portion of the amarican dream to many foreigners, and Amaricans alike. On the other hand I agree, becasue when you have this abundence of material pocessions its hard to feel greatful for the things you have. If we all had a few less things I feel like people would appreciate there pocessions more.

[Clayton Cox]

Well going off of what Garrett said, I don't think that the material possessions and money is going to make you happy in life. People are never happy with what they have, why do you think Apple is always coming out with a new product? To make it better so people are happier and buy more. If everyone was happy with what they have material wize, then no one would be buying anything. So i totally agree with Carly, it's disgusting how much people want these days.