Saturday 14 April 2012

Love what you have challenge

We spend a lot of our time and hard-earned money seeking out new ways to improve our life.  In magazines we discover ways to better our body, in new clothes we yearn for the new confidence they may bring, in oils and lotions we hope for a more attractive exterior.

What if for one day, one week or one month we decide to take on a "love what you have" challenge.  Each time you feel the urge to purchase a new book, new top, or new toy ask yourself if you already have an item in your life that could give you what this item might.

In embracing what we are already blessed to have, we may recognize a life that is perfect, complete and full of love just as it is.  How amazing is that?

Have you ever attempted a similar challenge?  How did you feel?

6 comments:

  1. I like this idea. Not only would it save me from unneccesary purchases, it would also allow me to have a greater appreciation of what I have. I have a habit of buying too many shirts - perhaps this would help me cut down on that :)

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  2. Vanessa,

    Good morning from the Left Coast. Yes, I participate in this challenge, daily. As you read over in the inn, I've discovered that abundance is not in how much we have, but in how much we enjoy.

    That attitude is the stuff of gratitude. I don't yield to Madison Ave. I'm internally referented. What do I want, feel, believe and see? (Even how I SEE was influenced by school, church and family.)

    I've discovered that I need very little for happiness; it's all in my way of being and thinking. A blade of grass may be enough on a given day, or the look from a cat.
    There are universes to explore and delight in, if we just take the the time to wonder.

    In Maeterlinck's story, The Blue Bird, he tells us we don't have to search the world to find happiness; it dwells in our backyard.

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  3. I forgot to mention, I find I'm unhappy when I cease to be at peace with myself.

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  4. Ooooh, you do make 'us' feel guilty... just as I need sooo many new things... that's not to say I don't love the things I have - because I do very very much... but I have a passion for things new... for the changes that life throws at us… like in nature, we shed ourselves of old and acquire new to ‘evolve’ and move forward… because whatever we do, we can not stand still…

    (No, I don’t need 200 pairs of shoes in my wardrobe – but yes those pretty orange ones will go with green this spring… no I don’t need 100 dresses hanging in my wardrobe, but that green one will just so go with my complexion… and yes I simply must have new garden furniture with cocktail set, I just must – just in case the summer decides to pop by this year!)

    :)

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    Replies
    1. Not intended to toss guilt onto anyone. It's more an activity of reflection. I had a serious shopping addiction and I took this challenge (28 days woo!)It changed how I viewed myself, it gave me a little high and it saved my bank account - thank goodness. Even to try it for a day - it's tough, but we learn a lot.

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    2. I know I know :) no hard feelings... I am very good with 'my account' most of times... I am very self-conscious of what’s important and what is not (most of times)… just wanted to give ‘different’ point of view, that’s all :)

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