RE~Conditioning

Is this weather AMAZING or what? I actually woke up needing to wrap a robe around me this morning because of the chill. Oh, this is my absolute FAVORITE!! It must be a carry over from my Wisconsin days. I love chill. We even threw the ancient quilt we own on the bed last night. Yum. I slept like I haven’t in ever so long.

So, where is my head or heart today? Ya know, it is still traipsing through the economy issues of late. We had our woman’s group last night which is supposed to be talking about really intense issues on our heart but we kept veering into speaking about the economy. It is very much on everyone’s minds these days I think. I don’t think we are reacting to the Chicken Little sky is falling arena. I think people are just genuinely concerned about where all of this might lead us based on history and events. As one of my ladies pointed out though, those of us who have been trying to lead a frugal aware lifestyle will probably not be as adversely affected as others. I thought about that when I got home and I think the main reason that is so true is that the mindset is more difficult to change than the source of income. It is very hard for some people to give up the fluff in their life because they really feel they are entitled to these luxuries and that somehow their self worth is wrapped up in the acquisition of the extras. It is all part of the societal conditioning brought on by really effective advertisement agencies. They do medical studies on what our brain does when on drugs, I wonder what would show up if they did these same studies when people are watching commercials on tv that are working their hypnotic magic on our brain? Acquisition…..the next addictive fix.

My son is currently displaying part of the acquisition issues. He is in need, genuine need, of a new pair of sneakers. He needs something with good support because he spends many hours on his feet and at 6’5” that is a lot of pressure point on those poor footsies of his. He has been running around for two days looking for the right shoes. Now, understand, right to him is not just finding shoes that fit the bill for the support he needs for a job, right also means they have to look GOOD and not be a dorky off brand. Where have I failed this boy? He was raised in the kingdom of dorkdom and now he rebels? So he is now thinking he may “just have to suck it up” and pay close to $100.00 for the shoes that he finds acceptable. Given my tightwad way of looking at things I could buy five pairs of dorky sneakers for $100.00 and I would and do choose to go dorky over the conditioned response of having the “right” shoe. I will give them credit; the ad agencies do earn their money. If he keeps shopping like that I am beginning to wonder if he ever really plans on moving out on his own. Is this a sign of failure to launch??? LOL

I don’t know, maybe Bob and I are just way more aware of these sorts of things because we are just a stones throw away from retirement and we don’t relish the idea of living out of a refrigerator box. I lived out of my car once for a three month period. It gives you a unique perspective on what is important and what is expendable on the old list of priorities. Lets just say that list gets completely restructured.

Still, even with that experience behind me I still find myself surrounded by the “stuff” I kvetched about in a previous post. Granted, it is a household of five but still I grew up in a household of six and we never had a third of what I now find myself living with. But enough of that old horse.

Right now we are living under a self imposed challenge to see just how little we can buy. All our purchases are thought out and considered and they must fit under the category of “need”. It is amazing how little we have bought this month since starting it the 1st. Actually placing oneself under this challenge brings on an awareness of the physical yearnings are body go through when we want something. There are actual urges to contend with and resist. Thus my previous statements about addiction. Some of it is about the “want” reflex and other parts are the lazy part of who I am that kicks in wanting to purchase something, say dinner out as an example, because it is just so much easier. But is it? What are the long term ramifications? The list is long and is not limited to the financial. It also extends to who we are and our value systems. Am I willing to sell out for a lobster dinner? I’ve done it for less….(I’m a hot wing freak)

So, what am I going to do about my thoughts and feelings about this? Well, take it a day at a time for one. Continue this challenge we have placed ourselves under and watch to see where it takes us as people and as a family. Pray my kids (special prayer for sneaker boy) that they will have their eyes opened sooner to this epidemic we live under than it took for we parents. And as always, count our blessings daily. If we consistently look for and are thankful for the blessings… there is never room enough for the emptiness of want because we will see how full we already are. Mull that statement over and all its complexities. It will make your brain hurt.