Page 13 - Seniorstoday Sep 2024 Issue
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you. Many sayings in Indian culture ownership does not automatically equate
endorse the principle of living within one’s to value or necessity. Just because we
needs. Our saints, sages and philosophers have acquired something doesn’t mean
have repeatedly said that one has be it’s serving a meaningful purpose in our
content with one has. Money could help in lives. The only purpose that is served is to
influencing people. You could buy material show off to others, that you are person of
things, only to realise that the happiness is means and the more you want to show off
short lived till the next bauble comes out. the more money you have to make and run
In a world where consumerism reigns faster and faster. By shifting our mindset
supreme, it’s easy to find ourselves and learning to differentiate between what
surrounded by a myriad of possessions we truly need and what we have simply
that we never truly needed in the first accumulated, we can begin to reclaim our
place. These “unwanted necessities” are space, our time, and our overall well-being.
the items that we’ve accumulated over Happiness is often described as being
time, often without a second thought, and happy in your life and being happy with
they have a way of weighing us down both your life.
physically and mentally. Happiness is a sudden, unexpected,
The concept of unwanted necessities short lasting and high intensity feeling.
refers to the things we own that serve It is characterised by a connection with
little to no purpose in our lives, yet we others, God, nature and the universe, like
feel compelled to keep them for various a whiff of perfume that you experience
reasons. It could be a gadget that we unexpectedly and before you know the
bought on a whim, a piece of clothing that fragrance is gone. Finally, it’s a feeling that
no longer fits our style, or a decorative item comes from within. It is also an expected
that simply collects dust in the corner of a fact, that rich people buy more products
room. These possessions, while seemingly and services and if consumption were
harmless, can have a significant impact to make people happy, then rich people
on our lives, from the physical clutter would be very happy, look around and find
they create to the emotional burden they the answer yourself.
impose. So, what exactly does living a simple
Understanding the true nature of life mean? It can mean different things to
unwanted necessities is the first step different people, but at its core, it is about
towards breaking free from their grip. living with intention and purpose. It is
It’s about recognising that the mere act of about consciously choosing to live with
less, both in terms of material possessions
and mental clutter. In a society that
encourages us to constantly upgrade and
keep up with the latest trend, it is easy
to fall into the trap of over spending. Its
question of prioritising our needs, wants
and desires. Instead of constantly chasing
material things, we could focus on creating
meaningful memories and experiences
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #63 | SEPTEMBER 2024 13
