Does Materialism Hold Us Back from True Contentment?
Wassup, my Steemaniacs!
This morning, I had an interesting debate with a good friend of mine. Actually, the one who went through this horrific ordeal, which is as-of-yet to be resolved. Anyways, we were on the phone having our usual natter about about life and stuff. And how people find various levels of “contentment” in their own personal life. Now, he works at a local superstore and happens to be good friends with the mild-mannered security guard there too. They themselves had their own conversation last night about pretty much the same subject matter. Now, this security guard lives in a double room house share. I believe it’s with six other people. He gets his weekly pay check, which provides him with the bare essentials to get by but leaving not much room for savings. He holds no other worldly possessions apart from what is contained in his room. And then he declared to my friend that he’s done. He intends to live out the rest of his days in that same constant. Not striving for anything higher. Just encased in the bubble life has given him.
However, the difference is, he’s really happy! I mean, he feels he doesn’t need anything else. The future is an open book and he actually prefers to exist within this minimalist plain and not worry about what lies ahead. This is as good as it gets for him. Now, I also discovered that he "has" the option of climbing the hierarchical ladder of his chosen career path, which in turn would lead to more work, more responsibility and ultimately, more money. Again, in turn, leading to more options to better improve his life. However, he voluntarily dismisses these opportunities in favour of how he lives, and will continue to live, for now. And what I found a little strange was how much respect my friend gave him for thinking this way. Almost like, he had transcended materialism to uncover the secret of a truly blissful lifestyle.
I must admit, I showed my hand rather quickly. I could not find it within myself to share that same level of enthusiasm my friend did. Reason being, I see our life as one incredible and miraculous opportunity. A minuscule speck of time we all have to make the most out of. Consciousness and life is a precious gift bestowed upon us. It’s like, look around you! The body you have, the ground you walk upon, the air you breath. These things we now take for granted, are in fact straight-up miracles you experience every single day. You even existing here on this planet, being the ultimate one. See where I’m coming from? So, bearing that in mind, shouldn’t you consistently reach for higher levels of comfort, enjoyment and freedom within this microscopic time-frame? Simply finding a “convenient” corner in the system and dwelling there until the “grim reaper comes-a-calling”, seems to me like such a wasted chance. But my friend couldn’t disagree more.
He believes that life should be about achieving mental contentment. Uncluttered your brain of gratuitous desires, created by the greedy minds of the powers that be, i.e. the government, nationwide advertising campaigns or even your own natural impulse of “jealousy”. Bin all that extraneous baggage and what you’re left with is pure clarity and singularity. The realisation that you’ve just bought yourself a ticket out of the rat-race and now understand that your average human only requires the bare essentials to feel happy and free. The future, in the context of the UK where I live, will be taken care of. Through governmental care schemes to help the needy thus providing a benchmark level of comfort for everybody, young and old.
But relying on the government to fund your retirement needs? What about building a better future with the tools afforded to us in the here and now? I dunno. This subject can get long and convoluted if explored deep enough. However, since my friend and I had such a indepth discussion about it earlier, I thought it’d make an interesting post. To see what you guys think?
Is it better to constantly keep pushing yourself towards a better and more secure life for the future or adopt a minimalist lifestyle, free from the trappings of the dreaded rat-race and material possession?
Materialism this is what everyone is running after no one want to be broke, the future only belongs to does that prepare hard for it. Great post @ezzy very informative!💪🏽👍
I agree. Sometimes, materialism goes hand in hand with security, given a long enough time scale. This security guard should be primarily focusing more on getting his own place and doing what's necessary to gain more income for that to happen. My own personal opinion, of course.
I totally agree with you @ezzy. People think when they have material things they are secure . So how can we change these narratives?
If you enjoy the thrill of the rat race, then yes. If you don't enjoy the thrill of the rat race, then being content in the now is the way to go.
The way I look at it is ... If I die right now, while typing this reply, will I die happy (the infinitesimal moment before my synapses stop) ? My answer is yes.
If you are striving to climb the corporate ladder and you die before you make it, are you happy while doing it? If not, change your life. If yes, then keep on climbing my friend.
Phew, I made it this time.
Lol, nice analysis, mate. Yes, it's all in our different perceptions of what role we wish to fit into. Maslows model works pretty well in this regard. How high up the pyramid do we want to climb?
After I rose high enough to have to let go of 15 employees, I re-evaluated. When it comes to lay-offs, it's harder on the manager than it is on the employee.
With great power comes great responsible.
I really dont know how one can live a life without desire, because in order to acquire your hearts desire, you need to aspire. How can pne choose not to aspire, i dont get it
Me too, man! I couldn't get my head round that, although at the same time, agreed with my mate that he had the right to choose which ever path he wished. But me? It's always been about maximizing on the here and now, to upgrade our life for the future. Simple as...
I've met some very content people in the poorest countries. They own nothing but they have healthy children that bring them a lot of joy. I own a LOT of crap, and I'm not totally happy yet
I hear ya, buddy. I guess we all behave according to the environment we live in. In our case, the opportunities offered to us contrast completely to those in the poorest regions of the world. They mostly don't have any other choice whereas we do, even if it's as simple as buying a lotto ticket. We have options. But I, in turn, respect anyone who lives the way that suits them. Each to their own, I say...
Hope you're well, buddy and thanks for visiting my post. :)
I really don't think there's an answer to your question. We have made it our missions to be the best and have the best. It’s what runs us all. What can we get next to better ourselves? What can we buy at the mall the next time we are there? The fact is, we are a society that looks at material wealth. It’s what pushes us to do our best. We want to accomplish the most.
That's how I see things. It's the climate we live in that makes us feel that way. Is it wrong to think like that? IMHO, no. Everyone should try to improve their personal life and nurture it to keep growing, if the resources surrounding them allow for it.
I see both sides. It’s great that he has this level of contentment; but he may have reasons (possibly fear) for not reaching higher. I agree ever moment is a miracle that we should all appreciate. Great write up!
Thanks, buddy. I also kinda see things from both points of view, but veer more towards "make the best you can out of your own personal journey". There's so much to get out of life! :)
I actually think the secret is being happy with the things you have. But really, there is a certain level where you just can't be happy if you don't have what's necessary. Like an absolute-low, you should not reach.
Other than that... I think happiness does not depend on the stuff you got. More like the way you react to it.
Awesome points, bud. There "is" a benchmark for absolute necessity for fulling your basic requirements. Living on that fine edge, on an every basis, sounds a little too extreme for my liking.
I'm with you on this one. I think it's better to build a passive income stream before hitting old age and not have restrictions on being able to do anything that we want.
I think the future is something to be "shaped" as best you can, with the resources available to you at the time. Again, just my opinion, bud. :)
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