Latent Possibilities

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Intentional Consuming

Some people talk a lot about the dangers of “consumerism,” while others think it is the road to a healthy economy. The first group often contrasts the “consumer” with the “creator,” and the latter group often contrasts a boldness to buy with a fear of terror.

A middle way might be that of intentional consuming. Let’s be honest, a lot of consuming diminishes instead of nourishing us. What if we committed here and now to consume only in ways that built us up? What if we left whatever glitzy gadget we wanted on the shelf but spent some significant money on a class or program that nurtured us?

Such a perspective affirms both our consumer- and our creator-oriented nature.