This Christmas season has reminded me a lot of my values. I have two young cousins (2 and 6) that are visiting for 10 days or so, and I've been trying to keep everything in perspective. I don't remember a time when I was a kid that I actually got everything I wanted. And I'm certain that's a positive thing. Most of those toys were forgotten by the next month. I was bothered by the number of presents my cousins received and their lack sometimes of appreciation for those things. Sometimes you don't know if they're going to have a temper tantrum or fall in love. My dad's side of the family decided to do a home made Christmas. Which was fun, although a lot more work. But then I thought about how much I invested in the gifts I made, and I feel as though it was worth it.
I have been working this year on spending less on 'things' and more on quality time and better quality food. I have recently gone through all of my emails and unsubscribed from anything that wasn't either about books, or about causes that I support. In my email I recently received an article from the David Suzuki Foundation that I felt was an affirmation that I am on the right path. I'm so tired of being advertised to and being encouraged to consume. I want to use the purchasing power that I have in order to support businesses that I believe are committed to sustainable practices and a better quality of life. Sometimes, it's difficult to find companies that are so forthcoming, but I do my best with each decision I make.
I'm going to share the article from the David Suzuki Foundation. It's a good reminder of the real cost of consumerism.
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/science-matters/2016/12/tread-lightly-to-lift-the-weight-of-the-world/?utm_campaign=scienceMatters-treadLightlyToLiftTheWeight-en-16dec2016&utm_source=mkto-none-smNonSubscribers-link-readOnline&utm_medium=email&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWVdRMU9UYzNOVEE1TUdSbCIsInQiOiJ5eVB1RG5jYVhBZW14RUJGbndwZllyeDNBakVLSDl5RE5sakoxM0lBM2o2NDN6UGhQVFg4YXRHdmZsV25KSWxNbnc2WStzK29hU0pEWnhGTkxRUUwwN0lMM3FzQjYxdDN4c3V5NHVBbW0zZ1wvbThrTG45N3g4eHJXWkxJSU1hUzJRUnBQeDRiS2ZDUjZzUzdJdDhHYmZ3PT0ifQ%3D%3D
