Actually, it's the title of a new movie that is circulating around the U.S. this Christmas. However, it's not showing in Charlotte, NC - go figure. I wonder if being the banking Capital of the Southeast has something to do with that.
I have an extreme interest in this as I've learned in my 42+ years that buying stuff ain't all its cracked up to be. Oh, I admit to being the quintessential consumer. I have stood in the bitter cold on any given Black Friday to attempt to score the oh-so-tempting fabulous deals. Like a lemming flocking to a cliff (yea I know it's a urban legend but it's still a good analogy), several of us would flock to the $399.00 deal for a laptop or the mp3 player for $9.99.
But wait, those deals are awesome! Why wouldn't you want to get in on that action? Good question. I wondered the same thing.
But then, I reflected and asked myself - "Where is the laptop today?" DEAD. My son spilled chocolate milk on it.
What about the mp3 player? GONE. The dog used it as a chew toy. You see a pattern? Stuff doesn't last - at least not for long but the debt and/or lack of funds after purchasing said items has lasting effects.
When you're younger and more prone to "buy in" (pardon the pun) to the marketing hype and get caught up in the materialism of the moment, then having "more" seems to be the answer to a lack of self-worth. We can prove (by making others notice us for a moment) that we are worthy because of the size of our home, car, or diamond.
Well, I have seen the error of my ways. I have the debt to prove it and what I've learned is this.
Doing/experiencing things is far more meaningful and lasting than simply buying things. Anyone can stand in a line and buy something they can (or worse) can't afford.
Now that I am in the mid-point of my life, I realized that I have succumbed to Affluenza. I am afflicted as are so many other Americans. Don't get me wrong, I see the error of my ways. I know that Retail Therapy is not healthy. However, ask any woman and most likely, she has lifted her spirits by swiping her credit card.
How then does one avoid the Shopocalypse? (See the movie's website for a defintion). How does a suburban working mother of three stop this crazy pattern?
I have developed a new mission statement for my family - a Mantra if you will. From this moment on -
My family is dedicated to educational moments, having many shared experiences and creating excitement in our day to day lives.
All gifts and future shopping will have to support our mission statement and therefore will allow us to do more instead of buy more.
After all, "What Would Jesus Buy?".
Peace, Shalom, and Merry Christmas.
1 comment:
As you like to say, "You're preaching to the choir." I have been complaining for years about the consumerism of Christmas. People have forgotten that there is more to this season than the number and value of gifts they receive. Remember in the first Harry Potter movie how Dudley reacted to the number of birthday gifts he received? Anyway, my husband and I have chosen to stop the overflow of "throw away" gifts (the ones that get forgotten or stuffed in the back of the closet). Our children will get ONE gift from Santa (this year, it will be a light sketcher for one of the girls and a pink guitar for the other; I still have no idea what it will be for each of the boys) and a few needed items (warm clothes) from Mom and Dad.
What would Jesus buy? Not a thing! He would give the most precious gift--LOVE.
Have the best of holidays this year!!!
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