An Ecclesiastes moment, I haz it. (“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”)
Maybe it's because I'm in America and have every little necessity at my finger tips, or maybe it's because I'm a girl and I like fashion... either way, I've been finding myself overwhelmed by things as of late. And by overwhelmed, I do mean that I'm not finding it at all enjoyable.
Do you ever feel that way?
Driving to the mall to exchange a pair of jeans, I just watched the businesses zoom past... all full of things. Cars, cell phones, clothes, sex toys, vices of all sorts and shapes. All screaming out with their slogans and bright colors to keep us from feeling like we can live without them. Really, what did the world do before such vain and unimportant (in the whole scope of l-i-f-e) stuff? If I could, I think I would like to be shipped off to Africa or India for a few weeks. Live life with bare essentials, if only to remind myself that it is not about how many cute tops hang in my wardrobe, how well my cell phone gets reception or how shiny my hair can be. The meaning of true happiness, I'm sure, reveals itself when there is nothing to distract one from its still, small voice.
Maybe it's because I'm in America and have every little necessity at my finger tips, or maybe it's because I'm a girl and I like fashion... either way, I've been finding myself overwhelmed by things as of late. And by overwhelmed, I do mean that I'm not finding it at all enjoyable.
Do you ever feel that way?
Driving to the mall to exchange a pair of jeans, I just watched the businesses zoom past... all full of things. Cars, cell phones, clothes, sex toys, vices of all sorts and shapes. All screaming out with their slogans and bright colors to keep us from feeling like we can live without them. Really, what did the world do before such vain and unimportant (in the whole scope of l-i-f-e) stuff? If I could, I think I would like to be shipped off to Africa or India for a few weeks. Live life with bare essentials, if only to remind myself that it is not about how many cute tops hang in my wardrobe, how well my cell phone gets reception or how shiny my hair can be. The meaning of true happiness, I'm sure, reveals itself when there is nothing to distract one from its still, small voice.
While in Africa, my dad once offered to buy a McDonald's hamburger and shake for an African. The gentleman politely refused. We asked him why and he replied, "If I have one now, it will be the only thing I can think of. I do not need it." Oh, to have that kind of self-control and appreciation for the simple things!
A domino maze, that's what it is. You can tip-toe around but once you bump into one little black dress and red leather heels, it's all over. More more more or "Gimme gimme gimme". It doesn't just stop with those two items; you need jewelry, a nice bag, new makeup. With the newest DVD to come out, you also need the newest DVD player, the nicest highest definition TV and a cherry oak entertainment system. Baby Einstein isn't enough, Signing Time isn't enough; how will baby learn without his ABC train? His shapes and colors blocks? His Bilingual Musical and Words Table Deluxe?????
Maybe I don't have to go across the world to get this revelation. I would like to just strip down- get rid of superficial belongings and focus on what is truly holding me in one piece: My God, my son and my family. Surely, contentedness doesn't come wrapped in plastic with an orange price tag. But, as I look around, I really don't know what I could live without! Ahhh, the madness!
I'm not saying that a life of hard work and dedication does not deserve to reap the rewards. But, for me, I'm feeling the need for a little bit of a spring.... er, Fall cleaning. Attitude more than accessories- when it comes right down to it. Be content with what I have, not what I need.
A domino maze, that's what it is. You can tip-toe around but once you bump into one little black dress and red leather heels, it's all over. More more more or "Gimme gimme gimme". It doesn't just stop with those two items; you need jewelry, a nice bag, new makeup. With the newest DVD to come out, you also need the newest DVD player, the nicest highest definition TV and a cherry oak entertainment system. Baby Einstein isn't enough, Signing Time isn't enough; how will baby learn without his ABC train? His shapes and colors blocks? His Bilingual Musical and Words Table Deluxe?????
Maybe I don't have to go across the world to get this revelation. I would like to just strip down- get rid of superficial belongings and focus on what is truly holding me in one piece: My God, my son and my family. Surely, contentedness doesn't come wrapped in plastic with an orange price tag. But, as I look around, I really don't know what I could live without! Ahhh, the madness!
I'm not saying that a life of hard work and dedication does not deserve to reap the rewards. But, for me, I'm feeling the need for a little bit of a spring.... er, Fall cleaning. Attitude more than accessories- when it comes right down to it. Be content with what I have, not what I need.
Philippians 4:11
"...I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. "
"...I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. "
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3 comments:
Love your blog! But the picture kinda makes me feel crappy cause I own an Escalade. I think it's very important that if you do reap the rewards to also share with others who have less. We donate to lots of different things. I also have always told myself deep down that all this stuff isn't what makes me happy. It's my kids and my hubby without them I would be lost. I think i would survive just fine in a cabin with no electricity or running water. Only because my Mom has taught me how.
Sure, like I said, I'm not saying that we can't reap the benefits of what we work hard for.
Try this: rather than seeing the Escalade as what it is, see it as what it stands for. Or what it could be- you know, I don't have an Escalade, but I do have one too many pairs of pants. Which I don't "necessarily need".
Get it?
I get ya. :)
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