Curing materialism is not a simple, one solution fix. There are many solutions, because their are many reasons as to what causes materialism. However, religion and volunteering are both very satisfying ways to heal materialism. Both work for similar reasons, but both might not be the best fit for all people.
A source of satisfaction that is found as one advances in age is religion. Regardless of the religion, many people find contentment in religion, whether it be the beliefs disapproving of excess consumption or the person feels achievement from being part of a larger group. Religion helps materialistic people find who they are, and it gives them that happiness they are searching for. They no longer wish to fill that empty feeling with material things that won’t give them lasting pleasure.
Another way to remedy materialism is to take part in volunteer work. Whether helping with the Red Cross, the local homeless shelter, or at a food bank, it can give you something to do other than work and shop. It may also open your eyes to see how well off you are compared to others, which can cause you to stop spending on frivolous things. Volunteering also helps you to feel that you are part of larger world and you can help others. According to a study by United Health Group, 94% of those who have volunteered say that it improved their mood substantially. Additionally, 96% of those who have volunteered say it has enriched their sense of purpose in life.
Here's some links for useful websites for finding volunteering opportunities near you:
Idealist
Volunteer Match
Points of Light
In coming articles, I will continue discussing cures for materialism.
Works Cited
“The Healthy Benefits of Volunteering | Blog.” Volunteer Ireland, 24 Sept. 2014, www.volunteer.ie/blog/the-healthy-benefits-of-volnteering.
No comments:
Post a Comment