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“I’ve come to believe that the consumer culture is like a virus- it enters where the bonds of community have been broken. Needs are perceived as reasons to consume rather than as reasons to connect with others. Money becomes the glue holding together a society that has lost its integrity. Assumptions of solidarity, equity and cooperation are becoming as quaint as the horse and buggy. Material downshifting, then, can make room for “upshifting” connectedness. Frugality isn’t the end goal, it’s the means. One by-product of simplifying is having the time to engage in the arts of caring- communication, meals together, touch, having good parties, remembering birthdays, clearing up misunderstandings, empathy, patience, and on and on- and this is the biggest antidote to overspending. So consciously building nourishing relationships… is a way to unwind the ropes that entangle you in debt, insecurity, job boredom and fear of the economy.”
from the preface of “Your Money Or Your Life,” by Joe Dominguez & Vicki Robin
This quote was recently discussed on Frugal Hacks. I think the authors are really on to something. Check out the Frugal Hacks post for practical ways to emphasize connection over consuming.
What are your thoughts? Any other ways to connect rather than consume? |
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| 2 Comments: |
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absolutely!
I think I'll co-opt this quote for my blog, and write it out for my fridge, I like it that much.
THanks for sharing.
(hey, baby # three was born June 7th...check my blog for pics and SHORT form story :)
Anno
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Aimee I've been thinking on this for a few days now, and truly it's hard for me to connect without consuming. Little things but still consuming. Things like connecting over coffee, over lunch, over whatever it is, I'm almost always consuming. Even going for a walk with a friend usually has me driving to meet somewhere before we walk. This is a hard thing, but I like that I'm thinking about it now.
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posted by Aimee at 
absolutely!
I think I'll co-opt this quote for my blog, and write it out for my fridge, I like it that much.
THanks for sharing.
(hey, baby # three was born June 7th...check my blog for pics and SHORT form story :)
Anno