As an American, I’m pretty good at being a consumer. In fact, I think most of us are. Americans are constantly encouraged to buy. It’s how we fuel our economy. But the underbelly of our consumer economy is the never-ending quest for more.
More manifests itself obviously with technology since technology changes so rapidly.
I suddenly find myself convinced that I need the iPhone 6 even when my current phone works fine. Or I immediately want the Apple watch when I don’t even like wearing watches. And although I just bought a new MacBook, I now must have the lighter than Air model.
But it isn’t just with technology, it’s with everything partly because we strive to keep up with others around us. I need a pair of LeBrons or Timberland boots. I have to get some new Beats by Dre headphones. This April, I simply must have a purse for spring.
Sure enough, buying that new hobo handbag does make me feel happy and satisfied but only briefly because soon my pastel blue purse is passé and I’m hankering for a black one for fall…
This craving for more is a never-ending cycle. It’s a treadmill we get on of wanting more or better - a bigger house, a newer car- and on and on.
What’s the Solution? Gratitude
Gratitude Brings Us Back to Now.
Instead of focusing on what we don’t have -the apple watch, the new car- we focus on all that we do have - clean water, loving relationships, a closet full of clothing, 50+ pairs of earrings, a pool, fresh food, healthy children…
Gratitude is a Reorientation.
Think about yourself for a minute. How do you like yourself better?
When You’re in a Place of Wanting or in a Place of Thankfulness?
Does it feel healthier when you think: “If only I had a new office chair, I’d get so much more done…. If I had 20 clients this week, I’d feel successful.”
Versus when your thoughts say: “My office is filled with beautiful sunshine and my desk is large and holds all my work easily. My schedule is flexible and enables me to work with people as well as spend time with my family.”
The Trick is to REMEMBER.
Remember to look around our lives and see all the beauty, abundance, love and happiness that exists right now.
Gratitude is Recognizing and Appreciating What We Have in the Moment.
This way of thinking fills us up with happiness and contentment.
The cycle of more pushes us into a place of lack where we’re constantly left wanting and that pulls us into the future toward more or better.
Instead, if we can use gratitude as a tool, it can easily and simply bring us back to now. Back to feeling satisfied and whole, happy and content.
The next time you find yourself yearning for a new dress or a power tool that you might not need, check in.
Are you feeling happy and grateful for the life you’re living right now?
Or are you trying to fill an emptiness or void through materialism?
Remind yourself how good your life is. Look around at all the abundance you have right now and watch that desire for more slip away.