Yeah, those.. you know the ones....the things that you think you can't live without. The things that keep up at night, the little things that fracture your very lives but you insist that you can't live without. You know the ones and you know what...if you let go you will be happier and most likely healthier. I mean that's what this is all about right? Living better, healthier?
If you have ever had something in your life that frustrated you or caused you so many problems that you wondered why you had it in your life to begin with, but at the same time you work just as hard to convince yourself and everyone else that you just possibly can't live without it, you know what I am talking about.
My advice (and yes I need to listen to my own advice from time to time) is to get rid of it or if possible let it get rid of itself. There may be a short time to detox from the attachment but when you sleep better and have fewer worries you see the point.
I think that most people today, especially those yuppy types, want everything there is. That there is this belief that money and more shit can solve all of your emotional needs. I believe it is this spoiled brat mentality that has our very way of life in such an uproar. How can a person live well if there are to many things going on?
Ok, some examples, and these are some of the things that my household has given up over the last year.
1.Cable-this was hard, and it isn't that expensive, but it is a mind numbing waste of time. The funny thing is that the kids play together, read books and draw, since they can't sit in front of the TV. When given the chance to watch TV we hardly do. Probably the best decision we made!
2. One vehicle- again not easy at times, but keeps the overall expenses down and I don't mind riding my bike. There was a time when I wanted 2 or 3 vehicles but man was that a silly notion. Thank God it didn't work out that way.
3.iPhones-a year ago my phone bill/internet bill was in excess of $250/month. It was all so I could have a toy. We made the change to basic phones and after a short detox period, we find we are ok. Plus we are under $75/month for two phones and once the AT&T contract expires we will go to Cricket phones for even less.
4.Resturants-I think I have had resturant meals a total of 5 times since July 09. Not to mention the incredible savings we have in our budget we are leaner and healthier than ever. I figure for the two of us to go to a resturant like Applebees or Luby's it cost $30-$40 dollars a meal. I know people that would confess to me that they ate every meal out...for a family of 4. Add it up ...Crazy!
5.Facebook/Myspace-initially sounds like a cool thing. I even did this for awhile but eventually I found that I was just being a nosy person and it was all about other people stroking my ego. I have a few people in my life that I enjoy and want to spend time with in person. I don't really care what everyone else is doing and my disconnection from these artificial worlds was very liberating.
The point is that you have to realize the more things you have going on the more toxic your life will be.
Most people are going to seek out places that will allow them to live in a reckless manner and pat them on the back and say it's ok. The problem is that after the new wears off and the emotion is replace by the realization that you are still stuck in a deadend lifestyle, you have to make the changes. When that day finally comes I hope your detox is fast.
I challenge you to examine your life and get rid of all the things that weigh you down. Be honest with yourself and I think you will get my point.
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