Individual Consumption

As we approach arguably the most consumer-driven holiday in our nation, one of the most impactful and important things we can do is be aware of time and money. How is it being spent and what is it being spent on? There are countless resources - books, documentaries, the internet, articles - that can help educate us, change our perspective, and awaken us to realize what really matters to us in our life.

• My favorite book for a macro view of our capitalist economy way of life: Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, by John Perkins.
• Book recommended to me that is highly relevant to consumption in our society today: Living Well, Spending Less, by Ruth Soukup.
• Internet research tips; beware of your sources, always double check facts, search slightly different terms to bring up more diverse results (ex. 'sustainable living' / 'eco-friendly lifestyle' / 'how to be less impactful' / 'how to be more conscientious').
• Relevant documentaries to consumption (though there are great 'docs' on countless topics, just beware of special interests and alternative motives behind the film): Consumed, What Would Jesus Buy?, Status Anxiety

The point, and my goal with this blog, is to urge each individual to realize that every decision we make has significance and really can impact our future. All of our choices add up, they come with conditions, they affect others, they have consequences. Especially when it comes to commodities and consumption. It can be eye-opening and hopefully inspiring to learn about exactly where our resources (food, water, air, electricity, etc.) and material possessions (houses, cars, clothes, accessories, toys, and everything in between...) come from and at what cost. Who/what is benefiting from what is being consumed and who/what is being harmed? What happens to it after we've consumed it? Is it sourced locally, or imported and from where? We must dig deeper than the surface level. Our minds are easily capable of finding answers to these questions. We can EXERT CONSCIENTIOUS OPTIONS by putting some extra thought and effort into our routines, in order to MAKE A DIFFERENCE that can eventually change the world and how we live in it.

This holiday season we should all consume a little less and share a lot more of what is abundant, fulfilling and sustainable like love, positivity, smiles, laughs, hugs, good deeds and happy memories!

**Put It Into Practice**

Let's start the mindset shift this holiday that takes us into the new year. Awakening to the fact that we always have a choice and realizing the power of our choices. We may be socially and economically conditioned to want a lot of stuff or to own possessions that reflect high status but we don't need tangible things to thrive and be happy. To live we need little more than clean air, fresh water, natural foods, human connection, and love. We're slowly losing these vital things due to our consumption of endless stuff we do not need. The best choice for the long-run might be the more difficult one to make in the moment, but we must rise to the challenge. Striving to overcome our instincts of convenience, consumption and disposal, we can think and act more conscientiously and sustainably - this can be our gift to life that keeps on giving.