Will respond here.

-- Anonymous, March 07, 1999

Answers

Rough draft of response to Utne Reader, Nov.-Dec., 1998. Article: "The Stuff of Life" by Scott Russell Sanders, pages 47-51.

In the article, "The Stuff of Life", the author describes the contrast of his feelings of sanity during a camping trip with his son in the Rocky Mountains and the stress of his life of budgets, schedules, and commotion of the workaday world. Many Americans today have a bigger house than they need, more cars than needed, too many appliances, clothes, equipment, and commitments. We seek fullness in our lives by buying one thing after another and a life of contentment escapes us. We rarely have time to choose and plan our activities because we are so scheduled that we hurry from one obligation to another. Where will this thinking that we need "more, bigger, and better" lead?

The scariest result is that we are passing our "obsession with possessions" on to our children. As a teacher of seven and eight year olds, I am shocked at the amount of "things" parents buy for their children and the money they are willing to expend. Imaginative play, using a cardboard box for a rocket ship or a block as a walkie-talkie, has diminished because children want, (and GET), the real thing. Often the gifts children receive for birthdays and Christmases are not even appropriate for the child's age - fancy boom boxes, stereos and CD players for seven year olds? The more children receive, the more they expect and you wouldn't believe what they expect these days! We are a purchasing society and the retail market takes full advantage of it. Have you noticed that so many toys are manufactured in collectible sets? Advertising then empasizes how you can "collect them all" whether they are action figures, movie characters, virtual pets, dolls, or animals. And, of course, the child wants to collect them all!

We can, as the author suggests, "change the standard by which we measure prosperity". For the majority of us cutting back on food, fuel, clothes, houses, and "stuff" would still result in a life of plenty. We can choose to lead a materially simpler life and find nourishment through spiritual growth, art, literature, conversation, purposeful work, and nature. We need to slow down, focus on the important things in life, and enjoy the present.

-- Anonymous, March 08, 1999

Thanks, Sandra! I also read that article, and the next one about myths that keep us "slaves to desire." Your commment about collectable "sets" is interesting, and something I hadn't noticed. I do know that the best times in my family's history were when we were living in small communities where no one cared about what kind of jeans you wore, or the kind of car your folks drove. In one community, my children's "playroom" was a wild area across the street, where they tromped down brush to make "rooms", and climbed the trees, and used the shallow creek-water to make their "stews," and "tea." In another community, many of my friends lived very simply: choosing to have no electricity, often no running water -- but to give great care to their chosen activities, to books, family and friends. It was an exceedingly full life!

-- Anonymous, March 08, 1999

I am in total agreement with what you are saying. However, I must admit that I am guilty of buying my children more than what they need. I have finally realized this and have tried to cut down on the number of items that I buy for my own kids. I think what the author stated about enjoying nature and appreciating the world around us is also a very important part of the article. How often do we forget to enjoy the true beauty of nature that surrounds us? My son loves to watch the sky at night and to talk about the stars and planets. We also love to walk in the woods and enjoy the fresh air and scenery that surrounds us. Hopefully our children will be taught the beauty of nature so that they help to protect it.

-- Anonymous, March 22, 1999

Sondra, I applaud your observations and convictions regarding the materialism of our society today. I agree with your final statement that we need to fill our lives with "things that matter." I fully believe that in catering to children's every "want" (notice, I didn't say "need"), that we are actually teaching them that the attainment of "things" is what brings about happiness and contentment. I also believe that people, in general, have lost sight of the beauty of simplicity in life. Being a newlywed, we are on a very tight budget. Sometimes it gets frustrating, but we try to consciously remind ourselves to cherish these times,too, because without them we will not be able to appreciate the more "stable" times---at least not to a full extent. I think when kids are denied some "wants," that it also instills some deep principles in them. They learn that in life you simply don't always get what you "want." The reality is that there is much in life, apart from materialism, that we have absolutely no control over. And, simply put, that's life! Thank you for your profound insights on this "epidemic" that seems to be overtaking our society. I agree with you wholeheartedly. The sad thing is, in my opinion, that people are searching for contentment and happiness in all the wrong places, and they will keep searching and filling up their lives with the fleeting satisfaction that "things" bring. I know, from experience, that true joy and happiness is found in things that money cannot buy---Family, friends, and God.

-- Anonymous, May 05, 1999

Hi Sondra! I really like the perspective that you took on this article. I agree that we are passing our materialistic obsessions on to our children. I have a 5 year old niece who has her own boom box, T.V. and VCR. It was very difficult to be at her birthday party. And how do you top those presents? She has more at 5 then I did when I was in college. And what are the adults teaching her by buying her presents such as these? Can we do anything as teachers to help our students appreciate the simple things in life?

-- Anonymous, May 23, 1999