travis 22 Aug 2008 12:54 pm
on american consumerism
i went on a mission trip a couple of weeks ago and i was beyond amazed at how much poverty so many people were living in.
i felt embarassed at how much wealth i was living in and it really made me appretiate what i had.
but at the same time everytime i buy an overpriced shirt or a new pair of pants,
i cant help but to think that theres someone out there who needs this shirt more than i do.
with all the impoverished people in the world, the little i do to try and help seems so insignificant.
advertising has us chasing cars and clothes,
working jobs we hate
to buy things we dont need.
with an underpaying job and an unsatisfying school i dont have the time or the money to do the good that i should be doing.
and even if i did i wouldnt know where to go.
i love my life, and i love my family.
but most of things that truly bring me joy are not purchased.
i just wish there were easier ways to help save the world.
i wish society wasnt stuck in this rut of working and buying, working and buying.
2 Responses to “on american consumerism”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
on 22 Aug 2008 at 7:22 pm 1.chuck said …
Amen Travis.
You cut straight to the core of what I believe to be one of the greatest challenges of living the American Dream.
My latest theory is that no matter what the problem may be, (be it consumerism, or the neighbor’s dog that barks too much) I am at the center of the problem, as I either have to decide that it is a big enough problem that it requires my effort toward a solution, or I need to make peace with the fact that I will do nothing about it; regardless, the problem ultimately lies with the fact that I need to make a decision.
on 22 Aug 2008 at 11:27 pm 2.renee said …
Travis,
This was a great blog. Thank you for sharing about your mission trip and the effect it had on you. You are an incredibly unique person, very wise for your age. Does this mean that I don’t have to buy you expensive clothes anymore?
I miss you! Have a great weekend, I can’t wait to hear about how awesome being a junior is and how happy you are to be back in school…hahahahaha…Love, Mom