Day 6 in Ireland

We have more than we need.  Think about that for a second.  We have more than we need.  Such a concept is difficult for me to wrap my head around.  Growing up, we’re taught to save for a rainy day, to put aside money up in case something happens.  We don’t use certain items because we’re saving them for good.  We only wear expensive jewelry for special occasions.  We only wear certain clothing items for certain events or during certain times of the year.  We stock up because there’s a sale.  We hoard stuff because it has a memory attached or belonged to a deceased relative or friend or because it might be worth something some day.  We collect everything you can imagine, from stamps to shoes to lunch pails.  Our society values stuff and a lot of it.  The more I travel, the more I find myself feeling detached from stuff. It’s amazing that I can bring only seven or eight outfits and not die.  I know, I know, it can be a little embarrassing to be wearing the same shirt in every picture, but most people notice the beautiful scenery around me, and I’ve never once had someone say to me, “Wow, it looks like you need some new clothes.”  And ironically enough, during my semester in Europe I brought a pack of Hanes plain v-necks to mix and match with.  It worked so well, I decided to do it again.  So, in basically every picture I’ve taken in Europe, I’m wearing a plain v-neck and usually my Northface jacket over it.  My lack of a wardrobe did not and has not detracted in the least to my experience.  Such a concept is something I hope follows me home.  My friends and family often joke about how good I am at spending money, and that’s true.  However, I’m also very good at stretching my money, and I’m slowly realizing that the less I spend on clothes and other stuff, the more I have to spend on travel and experiences.  I would much rather try Ethiopian food with Brendan than buy a new pair of jeans.  And I would much rather spend a summer in Ireland than own a Coach purse or buy designer perfume.  Eventually, all that stuff ends up in a closet or at the Goodwill or in the trash, but your memories and experiences stay with you.  And I don’t mean for this to sound preachy because it’s as much for me as it is for everyone else.  It’s difficult to go against societal norms – to push back and tell people that money is unimportant to you.  Well, guess what, money is unimportant to me.  Everyone, and I mean everyone, tells me that as I get older my point of view will change.  I have no doubt that my point of view will shift with age, but my feelings about money are not a point of view; they’re values and feelings I hold true to the core of my being.  The older I get, the more life solidifies for me the unimportance of material possessions.  I never want to own a fancy house or an expensive car.  I don’t want to buy retail clothes or the newest electronics, and I certainly do not want to raise my children with those sorts of amenities.  I want to take my kids to ethnic restaurants and show them the world.  I want to teach them about other cultures and introduce them to people who are different from them.  Being in Ireland is encouraging me to become more myself.  The more I find myself, the more I like what I’m discovering.  I really like who I am, and I’m excited to share this me with the rest of the world.