Pillars of Salt...

I think we may be getting ready to turn into pillars of salt if we don't clean up our act here a little bit. Most of you remember the Bible story of Babylon. Well, we have been living the good life, or so we thought. Homes have been getting larger every year for at least three decades now. Cars are plentiful and come in all colors, shapes and sizes. Even teenagers own cars. Teenagers from families with poverty level incomes somehow end up with a car to drive. Who ever, besides me, has heard of getting a new pair of shoes for school once per year and maybe a new pair for Easter Sunday? Most kids have several pairs of shoes today. Who ever heard of kids over 12 running around withOUT money in their pocket, besides me? Teens roam the shopping malls spending at least $15.00 to $50.00 per weekend. When asked what they like to do today, many kids respond with "shopping." It's a hobby. When did shopping become an activity? I recall shopping as being a necessity and not really much fun when I was a child. Of course, my parents never gave me the privilege of just roaming around through stores looking for something to buy and try to decide what item was the most tempting. Instead, we were "shopping," because we needed something in the way of food or that once per year new pair of school shoes. Otherwise, we would have been at home or working. Why has there been such an increase in childhood diabetes? Could it be caused by no exercise and lots of money to spend on fast food? No physical education program at school, because the school's fear lawsuits if someone gets hurt. Little outdoor activity at home, because children have a multitude of electronics designed to entertain them while sitting on a couch.

Look...I'm not advocating for a return to a Walton Family (Spencer's Mountain) type of lifestyle. I'm just saying, I think we may be getting ready to turn into "pillar's of salt," especially if we don't just take advantage of our economic disaster by re-examining our lifestyles. I have been one of the most guilty of buying things we want but don't need. However, I have an advantage that a lot of people do not have and that is I have lived and experienced another way. Too many people can't even relate to only buying what you need and learning that you really don't need very much to live productively and peacefully. In other words, by today's standards, if someone examined my childhood, they would say that I was poverty stricken. If you asked me, I would tell you that I had a wonderful childhood and was raised by two great parents who showed me that you don't need money and things to be happy. I really hope people don't waste a lot of time fearing the future right now. We are all in this together, and we will make it. Poor isn't so bad. In fact, all too often money and things may just get in the way of happiness.

Just sharing my thoughts today...