"With the desire for possessions the very nature of man alters."
___ Llewelyn Powys, "Earth Memories"
The human desire to possess is threatening to consume the world's resources. How do we rediscover a way of life that is more simple and respectful? Few people wish to return to baking their own bread, typing on a manual typewriter, or washing clothes by hand, so how can greater simplicity emerge, how can our consumption be reduced? Taking a leaf from our grandparents' generation and from traditional peoples around the world, we can begin by living within our income rather than running up our credit cards. This means shopping carefully and thoughtfully, and buying goods that are well made so that we do not need to replace them often. It also means considering the kind of impact that the object we want to purchase will have on the world when we have finished with it. Knowing that today's consumer durables are tomorrow's antiques or cast-offs, that we will not be in possession of them we breathe our last, will help moderate our life-style.
The pleasures of shopping brings color and variety into our lives. If ease of purchase is weighted against our actual needs, the satisfaction of possession will find its own golden mean.
"When you next go shopping, balance your actual needs against the world's good."
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews]
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