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| Emancipate yourself from consumer slavery; none but ourselves can free our wallets. |
Bob Marley dared us to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery, and reminded us that we are the ones with the key to the cell door. The bar code image above reminds us that we can be imprisoned and enslaved by the things we buy, as well as the work that we do to support the consumer lifestyle.
"Do possessions make you rich? I don't have that type of richness. My richness is life."
By freeing ourselves from consumer slavery, which is just another manifestation of mental slavery, we free our wallets as well. We break the chains of the consumer society so that our repressed desires of a more authentic existence can come forward.
Once free from the clutches of consumerism, we can begin to build the life we want - a creative, joyful, self-directed life. It turns into a project where your life is your art, and your art is your life, just the situation that Bob Marley created for himself during his career.
Consumerism and its slave drivers can only imprison us if we let them.
Make the commitment to not let them, to break free, and to become an impartial observer of your own life. When that happens, you can see where you are giving away your freedom and where you are serving your masters.
Then you can take your freedom back. Emancipation can be yours.
"The greatness of a person is not in how much wealth they acquire, but in their integrity and ability to affect those around them positively."
- Bob Marley
I have been lurking on this blog for some time now, and I have to take a moment to thank you for helping me during my year of not buying anything. As a bit of background: I am a fashion addict. Growing up this was a great thing; it fueled my desire to learn how to sew my own clothing, design my own outfits, and learn how about hair and makeup. I graduated university in a successful field, and went on to a successful career. Now, having less time to make my own fashions (and more money), I began to buy... and buy.. and buy. Years later, I left the workforce to stay home with our children, and now I bought out of habit, or for adult interaction (seriously, the cashier was an adult!!), or... really, I lose track of why. And it was when I realized that I no longer knew why I was buying this STUFF that I had to quit. Immediately. This year I have not, and will not purchase any handbags, shoes, clothing, makeup (other than to replace an empty or expired product that gets daily use), jewelry, sunglasses, accessories, etc etc. Initially, I never thought I'd make it. But the deeper I get into this experiment, the better it feels. I feel like I'm reclaiming myself, reclaiming my pioneer heritage, my time, my sanity (not to mention my sewing skills). Your blog has really helped inspire me during the days that weren't so easy.
ReplyDeleteInitially, all my friends were horrified for me. They all know about my fashion addiction. But I've learned something about fashion that I think I'd forgotten: true fashion is timeless, and requires little. My grandmother's pearls still make any outfit look classic. Anyways, thank you for your blog and the time you put into it. I'm already debating what I'll do for 2014...
Mel Glade, That is amazing! Thank you for sharing your story, yet more evidence that pulling back from consumerism is indeed possible... and that it feels good.
DeleteI checked out your blog and can see that pushing consumerism aside has given you the gift of having more time with your lovely family. And what a gift that is - precious moments for sure. Perhaps you will find time to post more - Linda and I really enjoyed reading about your family experiences, especially since we don't have little poop eaters ourselves.
A comment like yours makes all the time spend writing sooooo worthwhile. I am honoured to have been a little part of your ongoing adventure. We would love to hear what the rest of this year, and 2014 bring for you and yours. Hopefully our posts will give you ideas and support for your worthy and exciting experiment.
Keep us posted!
I have been a slave all my life. But something happened that woke me up from the deep slumber of consumerism. Realized that the big house and 5 cars....is keeping me working to buy more.Happiness is not a expensive pair of shoes. Happiness is not wanting to buy them or think I need them. thank you r wise words have helped understand we make our selves slaves.
DeletePam,
DeleteWe are born free, but shortly after are trained for chains. Congratulations on your awakening! We can choose to be free, though it may not be an easy road. Together we will make it.