Sunday, October 19, 2008

The Story of Stuff

Recently a friend brought an extraordinary video to my attention. It's called The Story of Stuff, by Annie Leonard. It has been up on the web at www.storyofstuff.com for only a few months and has had 4 million viewings already! Annie explains the chain of destruction that brings all of the stuff you buy into being, and she reminds us of how our collective urge to buy more stuff places our glorious planet in peril. This video has altered many people's perspective on the world. Watch it and see for yourself!
In Chapter three of THE SOURCE I explain how the environment, and chemicals in the environment, effect your health. I recommend that you deal with the problem largely by removing your exposure to toxins. I would include in this message just simply reducing consumption of stuff. Step away from your material concerns, and assess what is happening in your life on an emotional and spiritual level. As times get more difficult financially, emotional turmoil follows. And for many people the natural tendency is to counter this by shopping and buying more stuff to makes themselves feel better. We even have a catchphrase for this in our society, it's called Retail Therapy. It's important to get off the material merry-go-round.
Once you feel comfortable with who you are, and don't need a new pair of shoes to maintain your self worth, you will begin to feel released from the extraordinary pressures around you. Go ahead--resist material impulses today. And let me know what YOU think of The Story of Stuff.

Labels: , , ,