Gifts vs Stuff

It's the weekend of Black Friday. A festival of consumption of consumer goods that follows the overconsumption of Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing, and potatoes. We live in a world of endless want and it's partner endless acquisition.

Maybe it's a good thing the first clipping to read on my pile was an article by Jimmy Dunne, a songwriter and TV writer on the value of downsizing. Although he started the process with some trepediation he soon discovered the benefits. The biggest is that with less there were fewer distractions or loose ends e.g. unfinished home projects, both of which zapped his creativity.

So how does this relate to Christmas? This time of year is one were the obligation to give fuels the acquisition of more. I still have gifts I received 2-3 years ago that I haven't used. The gift-givers in my family dread my response to "What are some gift ideas for you?" because each year my answer is nothing. What I really want is the time to focus on my creative pursuits like writing, crochet, or photography. Ironically, by giving me nothing the gift becomes just what I want.

Time spent searching for ideas and then managing whatever thing(s) came into my life, take away precious minutes I can invest elsewhere. The truth of Henry Thoreau's quote (a 19th century writer on minimalism) still ring true today. "If I own so much as a rock it owns me because I'd have to dust it."

As I go about my holiday shopping the unrelenting "buy now" marketing campaigns will tempt me. But if I stand strong and believe "less opens doors to more" I'll successfully enjoy this Christmas season.