@Sara – Hi Sara! Thanks so much on the good luck wishes. I think I’m ready!! Reading that book as a kid…the lesson didn’t quite sink in the same way as it is now. Sometimes…those children’s book are full of wisdom… I believe you’re thinking about just what you should be – in getting connected with yourself, the answer will come. And whatever you do, if you’re listening to your heart, it’s the right answer…

@Jared – Hi Jared. Gratitude…so important. Thanks for bringing this up. When were truly grateful for what we have now – there is much joy in our soul. And we realize how much our needs are already being met, and that the joy comes from within, anyway. Thanks much for sharing this!

I’m so impressed that you’ll be competing in TWO triathlons!!! Good luck with both.

I loved this post and how you used the Berenstain story to talk about how new isn’t always better. I agree that we believe that “things” will make us happier and that this feeling doesn’t usually last. You given me something to think about because I’ve been really wanting a new fancier camera, yet my old Sony is a really good friend….maybe I need to “Get away and get connected. To “ME”. Thanks for this post:~)
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I am saddened by this materialistic world where so many people have been persuaded to believe that they must have this or that latest gadget or designer article that such and such a celebrity is wearing. These are usually the people who don’t see any reason to just ‘stop and smell the roses’ occasionally, or any possible benefit in doing so. I return to this theme periodically in my blog in the hope that something that’s said may rub off on somebody, somewhere. Maybe the current economic woes will make more people step back and question their values, and take time to get re-connected to themselves.

I’m not materialistic, so my more expensive purchases are always justifiable: Rayban sunglasses for the high quality lenses (I have very sensitive eyes) rather than the name, for example. And every time I think about clothes I realise I have more than enough in my wardrobe already; they’re comfortable and they suit me – just like the old hat. I also take care of my stuff, so those expensive Raybans work out cheap over several years.

You hit a slight nerve with the digital camera reference – I bought a very expensive one a few years ago, just released and very high spec. I had to sell all my old non-digital kit to buy it and at first it did seem like a superficial impulse buy (I held it, played with it and knew I just had to have it). But as I’ve used it more it has become a justifiable purchase, and even though it’s now been superceded several times specification-wise there’s no way I’m changing it.

@Liara – Hi Liara. That’s exactly it. Happpiness is there, within. Finding that, and really seeing it – this can be a very enlightening moment – as we experience that deeper joy…

@Tess – Hi Tess. I just signed up for the second triathlon this past week. And to what Dani (Positively Present) is saying – yes, the honesty she shares is so appreciated. Honesty like this makes it easier for others to do the same…to really look at themselves honestly. And that’s the real beauty in her comment. Thanks for noticing this! Simplicity by choice – I love that! We all have a choice, that’s something to remember. Always. And I love your new measure of success…being free of materialism. And this doesn’t mean we can’t buy “things”. It really means, to me, that we’re not buying just for the sake of buying.

@Robin Easton – Hi Robin. Thank you, so much, for this comment. You are seeing this at a deeper level, a level I plan to explore further. And exactly the direction I wanted this post to go in. We want…to meet the needs we refuse to listen to in our hearts. And so we end up doing this through “things”. But these “things” don’t bring us that true happiness. They don’t connect at our core. It’s about relationships. With Source. With ourselves. With others. This will lead us toward a much more fulfilling joy in our lives. One that isn’t based upon our current paycheck, or what’s in our garage, or the name on the back of our jeans. And the point you bring up about stopping to explore our feelings – I think this is another place we as a consumer-driven society fall woefully short. In this stopping. In this really listening to ourselves – we can gain so much clarity into “us”. And yet, we don’t. We rush off to the next “whatever”. Buy more “things” to temporarily give our egos a boost. And the spiral continues…out of control. Robin, I find so much inspiration from you, from how you really and truly live your life. I am so appreciative of this comment you’ve written, and the insight you continue to provide to me. Thank you, my friend. Indeed, it is YOU who is a gift to our world…and to my life.

@Bunny – Hi Bunny. Yes, you’re right, maturity can help us to see this more clearly. Although…it’s not a given. Moving away from being materialistic really is stepping toward a more true joy in our lives. And I agree on the running shoes. I’m a runner too (although not very fast!) – and having a good pair of shoes is important. Thanks for being here today!

@Barbara – Hi Barbara. Yep…I kept the old one (it really is a great bike!). Happiness inside…that’s where it’s at – the real happiness. And thanks for sharing about how the economy has been a blessing in your life, Barbara. Oftentimes, we have all we need (and really want) right in our own house.

@Debbie – Hi Debbie. Ha! That is a bit eerie!! And to add to the errieness – bike #3 that I really liked was a Cannondale Synapse! How’s that for coincidence? Whatever you do with the bike, if you listen to your heart, you’ll be making the right choice. For me, the bike I have is already light and fast (just not new). And I’m looking at getting new pedals and shoes, which will help. Good luck to you in all your upcoming events! Very cool – I think this is awesome what you’ll be doing over the summer!! And thank you for your well wishes…it is about finishing, yes! What an exciting feeling to cross that finish line!!

You touch my deepest desires, needs, and thoughts. It seems whatever I am struggling with shows up on your blog!! Eerie…a little. Comforting…a lot. I, too, am training to do a few events over the summer. One, a dualthelon; my first; one 30 mile ride; one of many!! I want a new bike so very badly; have shopped at my favorite bike shop, Pro Pedals, in Hammonton, NJ. I’ve been fitted, bought the new cycling shoes, picked out the bike…after trying many. Now I struggle with the purchase, the expense; the frivilous purchase, which is enormous to me. The bike, a Cannondale Synapse, is beautiful, will increase my performance, improve my ride, increase my speed…yet, I deliberate the purchase! I ride my old bike, which is still OK, yet lacks the new technology, and most of all lacks the $1700 price tag. It works though, and I consider buying new cycling gloves and maybe a new water bottle instead. HaaHaa! I know my new bike purchase would contribute to the ecomony…my heart says BUY, BUY!! Yet I am holding off…..

Thank you for this! Good luck in your competitions! It’s the joy of the finish!

Debbie

I was wondering if you would keep the old “hat” (bike).

I love the quote, “Possessions are usually diminished by possession.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

You know, that’s so true. So often we think the new “thing” will make us happy, but we soon find out it’s not the “thing” that will make us happy, we need to find that happiness inside of us.

With the economy the way it is, I’ve really stopped to ask myself if I really need what I think I do. More times than naught, it’s not that I need it, but I want it. And now, more times than naught, I don’t buy it. I’ve learned to “go shopping” in my own closet or cupboards. Oh how I wish I had learned this years ago.
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“And if there’s no good reason other than you will superficially feel “good”, then it’s probably time to put that something down, and really spend some quality time with yourself. ”

My head spun because THIS is sooooooooooo powerfully true. This post goes much deeper than many may realize. We could look at it like this. We (as a species and particularly USA) have become so disconnected from our source, the things that really matter, the Earth, being alive, our fellow humans, love, the stars, the universe, the ASTOUNDING life that is happening around us everyday, life that we are so removed from, life that would nourish us beyond our wildest dreams if we only “…find it sometimes, buried amongst all the piles of other things that clutter our lives.”

This is such a powerful post because it speaks to a human condition/”dis-ease” that has become epidemic, one that is destroying our planet. One that is driven, frantic, obsessive, greedy, desperate, crawling, clinging, frantic consumerism. As you say it doesn’t mean we can’t have things or be happy, but we really need to PAUSE, BREATHE and take a serious look at why we are buying more and more AND how are we feeling inside when we do it.

A good thing to do is when we next feel this frantic need to get something, is to stop and exlpore the feeling, stop and ask ourselves what is it that I really want? What an I really feeling? Imagine that it’s weeks down the road and we have ALREADY bought the item; it’s home and we have used, worn or whatever. And now, are we happier? Is our life fuller, better for it?

Another face to this is that many have ended up in despair and ruin going into debt to have all the things you listed above. Some have even taken their lives as they become so overwhelmed with the rat-race of keeping up with their neighbors or peers that they end up in horrendous debt, more than they can climb out of. It is very tragic.

This post is loaded with insight and is something that we all really do need to SERIOUSLY look at. I know firsthand that my greatest joy, love, satisfaction, wonder, happiness is not found and never will be found in any store. I am so grateful for that. Weird to think that I lived years without buy things. All I had was me and mother nature and it was the happiest time of my life. )

Thank you my dear precious friend.
You are a gift to the world and all of us.
Hugs,
Robin
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I love the simplicity of your family values. After the kids left home I had the opportunity to buy more things for myself and did. Now I’m into simplicity out of choice. I made a commitment not to buy more new clothes last October. Because I don’t need any!

I did buy new clothes for my birthday and bought a new suit for a special occasion. Did I need to? No. But hey progress not perfection, right? I do realize now how much shopping was recreation for me. Now I spend that time doing more creative things and spending more time in nature.

Being free from materialism is a wonderful choice that increases one’s power and happiness.

Today I declare it to be the new measure of success!
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