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One thing about StayLDS that I like is the opportunity to make comments that wouldn’t fly in a traditional LDS setting. The subject line above is one instance. I was on Amazon just “window shopping” without really having anything in mind to buy, and it occurred to me a few times how happy possessions make me in the short term and long term.
For example, I ordered a new wedding ring recently, and about 5 times a day I admire the tiger eye and the experience of wearing one. At the cardiologist’s office yesterday, the first time I wore it outside, the receptionist commented on what a nice ring it was. Both of these things make me feel very happy.
I have had the financial freedom to invest in a collection of musical instruments, as well as woodworking equipment and wood projects. I have the instruments on the walls of my bedroom and office, and switch them out of the closet — and I enjoy just looking at them as I lie on my bed. Plus extra space in my house (renovated a crawl-space, a big one) that is now a recording studio. Put a large woodshed in the backyard, and love going out there and stocking it with equipment.
I would be very sad if I wasn’t able to have these possessions. I am not big on fancy cars or expensive trips or anything — possessions tend to center on my hobbies in woodworking, graphic design, music, and making my environment more attractive and functional.
I am also very discriminating about what I buy thought — it can’t take up a lot of space, can’t be a burden to own (like some possessions that require regular maintenance) or make my areas in the house too cluttered.
Is it wrong to value possessions? Do they make you happy? What place do possessions have in your life?Quote:Is it wrong to value possessions? Do they make you happy? What place do possessions have in your life?
I don’t know that is a binary “right” vs “wrong” question. I think that there is a fluctuating balance point between having and maintaining possessions / things.
Possessions provide opportunities for connection and also self-preserving isolation. I connect with family members over food, video games, and some board games. We also use our electronics to buffer each other at times.
I am sensitive to “clutter overload” and the visual over-stimulation that comes from too much stuff laid out in piles all over the place rather then contained in bins/shelves/drawers/boxes [Dr. Leonard Sax presented some plausible research in his book, “Why Gender Matters?” that presents the idea that women have more rods & cone cells in their eyes then men do – so women may in fact see “more” or have a more intense visual experience].
I am finding that I am becoming more intentional as I age in what I find worthy of “keeping” and “acquiring”.
You gave some interesting examples SD. At first I was thinking of possessions that are used in order to perform an activity as being healthy vs. possessions for the sake of possessions as possibly being unhealthy but it occurs to me that your ring may not be used in an activity but it still provides a service.
Like if someone decorated a room with plants, pottery, guitars, etc. Seeing them can lift a person’s soul, so they’re still contributing towards an activity, just passively.
I believe the answer is subjective and depends on each person and “how” they value any specific possessions and possessions, generally. I believe deeply in valuing possessions that have deep meaning, but I also believe valuing possessions, generally, can lead to hoarding wealth to increase “valuable” possessions – which can limit our ability to share with and bless others.
It can be a fine line, that varies per person, but I believe it is one we all need to try to walk.
I have been thinking about this, and I suppose possessions, for all the joy they bring, shouldn’t stand in the way of you being charitable to others. They should also not function like an addiction. For some people spending money is an addiction rather than a wholesome activity for increasing their happiness. And you have to also mentally prepare yourself to be happy without them. When your heart is so set on possessions that you are miserable without the ability to acquire new ones (necessary, as the novelty of new possessions wears off), that is a negative dependence on possessions. So, within certain limits, I think it’s fair that possessions can bring you a certain amount of happiness.
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