Too Much Stuff . . . Too Little Generosity

Our accumulation of stuff is getting way out of hand.   

According to an SRBI Public Affairs poll, in the 1950’s the average American woman had four pairs of shoes.  Today, it has stretched to thirteen pairs and still climbing.

Is the solution merely the need for more closet space?

Quite the opposite. In 1970 the average size home was 1,400 square feet. Today we’ve expanded our living space to 2,340 square feet, and we’re still running out of room for our stuff.

The desire to clean up is evident from the appearance of various businesses that claim to “help you get organized.” Container Store and California Closets are two such businesses. According to the International Herald Tribune, reality shows like "Mission Organization" on HGTV and "How Clean is Your House?" on Lifetime feed a national obsession to declutter.

The latest trend is to rent public storage space to sock away whatever does not fit into our homes.  One self-storage company alone-Public Storage-manages over 2,100 self-storage facilities with approximately 135 million rentable square feet!   That’s lots more room for a lot more stuff.

Where does it all end . . . and how?

Here are several steps to help you confront the entitlement attitude that says we need more stuff.

•Realize we all struggle with materialism. Surprisingly, materialism is not the accumulation of possessions. 
In fact, clutter and disorganization is not a house problem; it’s a person problem.

It’s our obsession with stuff, regardless of how little or how much we have, that is the problem. The opposite of obsession with things is contentment with what we have.

•Live your life like you’re always moving.   If you had to move would you take it all with you?  Do you really need two microwaves or boxes upon boxes of paperback books you’ve already read . . .  in college?  Can you be content with one hair dryer instead of three?

Once you’ve taken a survey of what you don’t need, then comes the test:  Sell some of your excess items on eBay or i-soldit.org and give the money to a charity that’s helping needy people with food, clothing and medical attention.

Another idea is to go on a 30 day fast from purchasing more clothes, books, electronics, furniture and expensive accessories.  Use the money you save and check out a website like JustGive.org where you can connect to more causes you care about.

•Put the two year rule into action.  If you have not used something for two years, chances are you will not use that item again. I’m talking about old iPods and cell phones; furniture stored away in the back of your garage or an old lawn mower collecting dust.

Most likely, you have clothing you’ve not worn.  It’s time to box them up and take them to the local Goodwill or Salvation Army.  Let other people make good use of the items sitting in your closet collecting dust.

•Make giving to others an adventure not a drudgery. JustGive.org suggests giving Charity Gift certificates for the people you know who have everything.  Recipients can redeem the certificates in support of their favorite charity.  For those getting married, consider creating a registry of your favorite charities instead of the traditional wedding presents which might be duplicating what you already have. 

Even though your New Year’s resolutions have been made, still try something different this year:  Less stuff and more generosity.

John
Email John: johnsblog@teshmedia.com

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Comments

[Mrs. Delgado]

This article is oh so true and provides great advice for keeping "stuff" to a minimum. The less one has, the easier and less stressful life is.

About a week or so ago while out running errands, my route took me past a local automobile dealership. I was stunned at the prices of vehicles. I could not hold back the tears as I began to think about the people who are in need of shelter and how the price of a vehicle could buy a home for someone. How sad.

Recently, I was informed about the wonderful place called CVS. Since starting to shop there, I have been able to acquire necessities to donate to local food charities and shelters. What a blessing to be able to give more.

God bless.