Fulfillment

I have been thinking a lot about why people feel a need to consume. I get a feeling that a lot of people are living unfulfilled lives. I know that I did. We work in the same dead end job - which has little meaning. We have nothing htat we are truly excited about. We are isolated from meaningful social interactions. Thus, we try to find something that fills the void. Some people find alternate ways to do this; partying, working out, shopping...

We go to the store and see people, we get a new item and havve a warm sensation that we have added something to our lives.

In actuality, we are isolated. We wander the shopping malls alone, we are cut off from the natural world (windows or no natural light), no birds chirping, no scent of freshly cut grass. We are shopping in oder to fill a void.

I think that some of this is due to the fact that we have no passion. Besides things to consume, we really have nothing that has meaning.

I left a job where I sat in front of a computer and designed websites and designed interactive materials for faculty in order to become a teacher. I left hte job that was not fulfilling because I felt that something was missing. Well, yes, we did transfer for my husband's job, however I had opportunitites for the same type of job here. I chose to teach. I love to design, yet I felt that I was losing my self in my work. I was not happy and would often shop to find something to make me happier. I would shop for items for my office to make it into a space that I enjoyed. It didn't work. Now I am passionate about what I am doing. Teaching is my calling. What is yours?

I was shopping in order to fill a void. I was lonely. Now that I realize the impact of my consumerism, I have another passion. I feel very passionate about making wise choices in my purchases. I don't want to be a part of a downward spiral. I want to live life fully with people rather than being empty while in a sea of other shoppers.

So, I have found others who feel the same way as I do. Yes, many of these people are online (the Compact, Simpleliving.net, Sally), however, the more I learn the more aware I have become of my environment and enjoying my life.

I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
- Henry David Thoreau