We're not materialistic...

Photo and caption from Humans of New York

I saw this post on HONY (Humans of New York) yesterday and I thought - "YES! A voice of reason." If people could really see what their consumerism is doing to the planet, how could they not have a change of heart? But, out of sight, out of mind...

The person interviewed made an accurate observation that I'd never thought of before. I'd always heard about how materialistic we are, but it's true - as a society, we don't value our possessions. We're not happy unless we have the latest phone, the latest t.v. or the latest gadget. Companies purposely make their products so that they won't last - which insures more sales and greater profit in the long run. We throw away that which no longer suits us and the garbage piles up. We destroy more and more of the planet so we can have more and more new and shiny things. There is something seriously wrong with this concept. As he stated, "conservation doesn't have to be a huge sacrifice" - it just requires some common sense.

I find the definition of materialism quite interesting: "a way of thinking that gives too much importance to material possessions rather than to spiritual or intellectual things." This makes me think of the quote: "People were meant to be loved and things were meant to be used. The reason why the world is in so much chaos now is that people are being used and things are being loved." 

When they say, "the buck stops here" I believe it also refers to our wallets and the power we hold with the way we decide to spend our money. We have a responsibility to the planet and to each other. Change starts with us. Ask yourself the next time you go to make a purchase - do I really need it? Does it add value to my life? Is it sustainable?

The video below has already made its rounds on the internet, but it drives home the point. Pass this video along, so we can help more people take the blinders off and create much needed change for ourselves and the planet. It's time we start heeding the wake-up calls before it's too late.   

Love, Adrienne :)