Have you ever had a strong desire to purchase an item that you felt you couldn’t live without? Well, for many of us that is a regular occurrence. I remember a time when I saw a particular coat in a store window on my travel to work everyday. It was a fashion style that was popular among the ladies and of course I wanted it so badly that common sense went right out the window. The price tag was pretty steep but who cares. I made it my purpose in life to buy this coat of many colors and as I made my way into the store one day, money in hand, I finally made my purchase. I was beaming with joy and in that moment, I felt like a million bucks. Sadly, in all the years I had this beautiful coat, I wore it once as I strutted and styled down the streets of New York. It was a temporary fix, a moment of pleasure and like most things in our life, out of sight, out of mind. Years later, while sorting through my closets, I stumbled upon that beautiful expensive coat and decided to donate it to charity.
Is it a Want or a Need?
So many of us are possessed by the material aspect of life. Wants have become a very important part of our human story. Needs on the other hand are what we actually require to survive and live a meaningful existence. We continue to spend and purchase items whether we can afford it or not, and it becomes part of our collection stuffed in many parts of our homes. If you look carefully, some of the items still have tags attached and were never used or worn. Decorations, clothing, shoes and more collecting dust as they sit in closets and boxes. Worst of all, there isn’t anywhere to place some of this merchandise. Closets are filled to the brim, garages meant for cars are now being used for storage and worst of all new storage facilities are springing up all over our country in order to store what we consider valuable. It’s crazy and yet we keep buying and storing even though we have more than enough for the foreseeable future.
I have learned to ask myself a very important question in order to focus on the things that really matter in life. Before I make a purchase I ask myself: “Is it a want or a need”? If it’s a want, I don’t need it. Otherwise, I will be on track to becoming a hoarder of merchandise that are not a necessity, simply put it makes me feel good at that moment. I am sure most of us can look around our homes and wonder what on earth were we thinking when we bought some of the rubbish we possess. Take action, clean out your closets, give it to the poor and learn to live in contentment. My ultimate goal in this life is to simplify life’s congestion, and to learn to be content with that which I am blessed.
Nugget of truth:” Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal,
“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and thieves do not break in to steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-20
Scattered Thoughts in Life 
Same here since as was a young girl I have always been thrift. Whenever ai buy I ask myself if I need it. I only buy stupid I need. And I believe that is a good practice to pass down to the children. 😉
Wonderful post, the treasure lies within our hearts
This was beautiful and concise. I think that is it very relatable to everyone and helps others by bringing ‘Want vs. Need’ into focus.
Great post 🙂 I’m happy I stumbled upon your blog.
This post is one of my favorite topics. I go a little batty over the retail emails I receive on a daily basis tyring to convince me how much I absolutley NEED this or that. They make it sound like it’s a do or die thing. I understand businesses are in business to make money but it’s a little bothersome that money seems to be the only motivator. As you alluded to in your post, it’s been my experience that for the most part wants are temporary and once the “high” of the purchase wears off its on to the next thing. If we could learn to be happy with less we just might rid ourselves of the emptiness inside. Great post!!
I totally agree as objects have become our comfort for life’s displeasure at times.
Yes, there are times I feel so disgusted when I put too much emphasis on things. Don’t get me wrong I like things and I don’t think it’s necessarily wrong to have an appreciation for materical things however it’s when we allow them to rule our lives that we begin to feel a certain dissatisfaction which leads to the need to fill the emptiness which then leads to more dissatisfaction and so on.