Now in this particular assignment I'm tasked with a simple objective; analize one item on my wishlist, and explain how this explains me. To most people this is of no issue, as they have probably amassed a large list of items they'd like like, and can pick and choose. I don't have that luxury I'm afraid. I didn't make a wish list this year. Not for lake of time, beut for lake of wants. I sat down several times intending to pump out a list for my parents, but could never think of anything material that I'd like. Sure there's stuff I need, like a new desk, a new backpack would be great, and quite a few of my binders are falling apart, but nothing that I'd like. In fact, in the last year or so I've noticed a surprising amount of saving is being done, as I rarely buy things. Thus, out of lack of real things to report on, I'm forced to report on nothing.
Now, I'm not saying I don't usually ask for stuff on Christmas, usually my list is more like a book. However, my wanting far materialistic things has decreased drastically.I think its due to a changing personality, mostly due to a book. My English teacher told up to read a memoir of someone, and I dislike memoirs. So I picked one last moment and just started plowing my way through it. The last lecture. I soon realized how utterly astounding this book is. I started to see how this man has rejected the trappings of society; coddle your babies, money is happiness, and sue everyone you see. Instead this man makes a point of letting his kids do as they will, before he was married he drove a beat-up car and lived in a small apartment, while he could have easily done better. However he was saving for when the money could be spend on better things then an ego boot. This was an amazing no thought to me. and the more I thought about it, the more I decided that it was truly the best way to go. I never once decided that this is the course I'm going, however clearly somewhere I decided to move away from materialism. I used to spend my allowance instantly, but now I save it up for months and never spend it. I still have a list of things I want to buy, I had a whole list of things to get. I probably have enough to get it all at once now, but I don't think I will. I don't need a new computer screen, or now parts to the computer, or any of the things contained on that list. And I didn't even notice this until I started on my Christmas list.
Now the question I must ask myself is, is this temporary or is this something that I'll continue to do? I hope so. I guess I'll just remember Ghandi's words "Be the change you want to see in the world". And I'd love to see materialism decrease in this world.
Oh, and I lied. right before Christmas I added something to the blank wish-list, a twenty dollar "protoboard" that lets me make micro-controller things easier. I guess no one's perfect.
