stuff

i started reading a new buddhism book about how to apply eastern principles to a western civilization. one of the first things the book discusses is the difference between having and being.

having is defined, in short, as accumulating things in life to prove your value or make you happy. being is basically living your life with the goal of existing in a contented state, free of outward restraints.

people seem to be really caught up in having: objects, things, material possessions, and not so concerned with their everyday life and whether they are contributing to the world in some way.

i see a lot of people who have so much "stuff", and keep accumulating things they don't need, just want, as a means of making themselves happy. and it's not just the buying, it's keeping random junk in drawers, cabinets, garages, and then having to move because you've run out of places to keep everything.

is there some contest for collecting random crap that i'm not aware of? i don't even like to buy books anymore, and i looooove books. hello library, unless i'm going to read the thing more than once. and yes, i'm aware that george carlin did a whole bit on "stuff".

there seems to be this cultural belief that material possessions can bring you happiness, or that having found "that special someone" can make your life complete. there are so many shows about hoarding and quests to find a mate, it's obviously something that our society is consumed with on some level.

in discussing having, the author of this particular buddhism book states that there is a certain level of anxiety associated with anything that you acquire because there is always the risk of losing it. whether it be another person, a car, your favorite sweater, anything that exists outside of you has the potential to disappear, leave, get lost.

happiness can only truly come from inside of you, and it's not easy, but at the end of the day, at the end of your life, *you* are the only thing that you will always possess. you are the only one who will take care of you, who can meet your needs.

better make sure that what lies within you is what's making you happy, because money can't buy it.