Bonsai trees, just looking at them, invoke peace in me! This is just one of the many we viewed on a recent trip.Materialism--thinking about it and what I would write all day yesterday.
Does materialism go back to Adam and Eve? Was that what started the whole thing? Is that why Eve reached for the "forbidden fruit"? Something nearly beyond her grasp with the seductive name "Forbidden"! How much more do we want something when we're told we can't have it! How much more tempting is it when we're told we can see but not touch!
I'm sure at first, with no one to compare herself to, Eve didn't have much to be material about. Was one leaf pretty much the same when it came to covering the body? Or were the ones from certain trees deemed better than others because they were more rare or harder to reach?
And then there came animal skins! What an upgrade! And how much more difficult to acquire?
At first, of course, Eve didn't have a whole lot of competition what with being the only woman on the planet for awhile. But if we're to believe what it says in the Bible, she lived a pretty long time--long enough to produce little girls who would eventually grow up to be big girls and then women. And these women would go on to produce more women, etc., etc., etc.
If, in fact, they all lived hundreds of years, there would certainly come a time when competition would have entered into the picture! And isn't competition part of comparing? Comparing oneself to others? Who was better looking or more attractive to the opposite sex? And what would make one more attractive? Better cover-ups (can you call leafy creations clothes?!)? Of course in Eden, they may have been able to forego a lot of clothing as explorers even in modern day have discovered entire tribes foregoing all but the most basic of body coverings. Still--a little dangle here, a little "glitter" there--who knows?
And what about status in the community? How did one hut stack up to the one next door? And if a person became particularly adapted to building huts that were a little better than the others, was that person now sought out as a builder with a "name"--perhaps one could barter with that person to build one's own hut in trade for food. "You build my hut and I'll see to it you won't have to hunt for your food for a year!" Was that the deal?
What is it about human nature that makes us want "stuff". And when did brand recognition come into play?
I know my kids had it even when I tried to raise them not to. In my world, growing up relatively poor, I was happy to get whatever was either given to me or what I could afford--and that was usually not much! A $15 pair of jeans I could afford. $100 for a pair of jeans was out of the question when $100 could buy me a whole wardrobe! Sure, maybe the quality wasn't that great, but that didn't matter to me. If it lasted a year--I could have saved up another $100 to buy again the following year something new and different and maybe in a different color. To tell me $100 would buy me a single piece of clothing that would last me 5 yrs. didn't compute with me because I like change and don't want to wear anything for that long (although, admittedly, among my favorites are things that I have actually worn that long!).
Anyway, I suppose materialism helps the economy--at least on the grand scale of things if not on an individual basis. Certainly I know that some brands are better than others. I love Sketchers shoes and couldn't wait to get to the outlet store when I discovered one recently! And then I was disappointed in the pair I bought--not because of the workmanship but more because I'd inaccurately judged the style as being one I could wear comfortably. Still--it won't stop me from buying that brand again--they're good shoes not outlandishly priced--I just have to watch the cut of the shoe I buy.
Not sure how much more I'll pursue this but have to stop now and feed my chicks. Three eggs yesterday as opposed to none or one the last few days. The weather down here is cooling off--low 90s as compared to low 100s! And this morning--at 71!--it's almost cool outside! Cooler than it is inside--but not cool enough to warrant turning off the a/c! I know what happens during the day--it gets hotter!
Bless all who read this blog! Please comment if you like it! I like the writing but I'm in it for the hugs!
Peace and love!
Carol
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Hugs
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