Trade As One

This is part 3 in a 3 part series on consumerism. The first post can be viewed here, the second post can be viewed here.

So in the first two posts I’ve written a bit about the systemic consumerism that dominates our culture, and what I see as the possible antidotes: gratitude and generosity. In this brief post, I want to present a few steps that we can all take to address consumerism and its effects in our own lives.

Before I begin, I want to note that all of this is contingent upon our the ability to be honest with ourselves. It starts with asking hard questions, searching for the answers, and not shirking the responsibility that comes with those answers. I know this isn’t easy. I still wrestle with the actions that have come as a result of asking myself these questions. My hope is that in sharing them here, we can begin asking the same questions together.

- What are the major sources of the greed and fear-based advertising hype that you are exposed to? Decide what to do about them. Get rid of the TV? Stop buying that magazine? There are people who are actively pursuing ways to manipulate you into buying, wanting, needing, and fearing. We need to take this seriously and take bold steps to counteract these effects.

- What practices will you cultivate to teach yourself more gratitude and practice generosity? What habits can you start that constantly remind you of the simple joys of living?

- This Christmas, could your gifts say something about how you are looking down the pyramid at the billions of others less well off than you instead of trying to climb higher all the time? Could Fair Trade gifts help you tell others about a different way of living in our consumer society?

- If you are a member of a church, take a look at what our friends at Advent Conspiracy are doing and consider using your influence to get others to celebrate differently.