There are many things out in life that can rob us of happiness and being satisfied with what we have. You usually only consider yourself lacking, if someone else tells you that you are. For example, in generations past, there was no such thing as a smart phone, yet ask any tween around who will tell you that he or she can’t survive without one.
I’ve been guilting of unhappiness due to my perceived lack of stuff. It is insane really. My family has adequate food, clothing and shelter, and yet I would focus on the fact that another family has a better fill-in-the-blank.
It is one of the pitfalls of living in our current time and culture. There are a lot of influences telling us what it is we “need,” “deserve,” or “must have.” To reset that focus can be difficult, but if we are committed it can be done, leaving us with happier and healthier lives and a better legacy for our children.
To take back your happiness over stuff, try some of the following strategies.
Reduce advertisements: Actually eliminating advertisements may be impossible since they are everywhere we go. We can’t turn on the radio, visit the grocery store or walk down the street without some advertising message hitting us. Just for fun, count how many ads you encounter during a typical day.
Reduce that number by making smart choices, such as turning off the television, choosing books over magazines, turning off pop up ads when you are online, limiting or eliminating Facebook and reducing the number of shopping trips you make.
Learn what poor is: Poor may be in the eye of the beholder. Put yourself in situations that provide you with the opportunity to come face to face with those who are less fortunate. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or shelter, research overseas charities, go on a missions trip, etc. You may soon realize what joy you already have in your life.