Stuff. We all need some, we almost all want some more, yet who owns who?
In the second decade of the 21st century, we advertisers, including those using social media influencers, are constantly marketing to us.
Buy more, spend more, get more. How? With the best things! Clothes, cars, jewellery, housing, shoes, accessories, places and stuff. All can be so much fun to own, experience and use. But how does it all add to your life?
I think there is a serious corruption in the idea sold through advertising that you can attain spiritual peace through lifestyle and the notion of building your happiness from the outside-in by acquiring things . . . which if you think about it, is the essence of advertising.” ~ Edward Norton
Stuff – Who Owns Who?
Yet out of all this what truly helps build us up? Develop, deepen and widen our ability to thrive? Yes, a good raincoat for a rainy day is very useful, a proper pair of winter books are very useful on those days when the temperature dips to -24C (very cold in F) with wind chill.
So why talk about stuff? Well, resilience research tells us that how we chose to define ourselves from the inside out plays a role in how happy and successful we are in our lives. Plus how much we enjoy the journey.
So, I ask again: Do you your stuff or does it own you?
We are defined in part by what and who we surround ourselves with. Yet if it all was taken away from you tomorrow what would change? Would you still be you, or does your stuff define you so much that you’d feel empty? Would you be able to move forward? Again, nothing wrong with having stuff. Just be careful your stuff does not own you.
Until next time Imagine Yourself with more Resiliency for Life.
Michael
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