Living in a Material World

We live in a material world. A world where the most prized possessions are the things we can buy. The things of value are those which can be purchased with money. Unfortunately, the more value is given to these things less is given to our lives, our values, and our morals. Money is needed for lots of things But is money worth the life of another human being?

I don't know how you feel about the way the world is today, but I have more questions than answers. And every day I seem to add more questions to the growing list than I am about to find answers. Where are we headed? Now allow me to explain my confusion with the way we live today.

First, how do clothes, shoes, and bags define a life? A day in life in this material world.

A few days ago a young woman, about 19 or 20 years old, shared a video on TikTok stating her concerns with other young people who are only concerned about the clothes and shoes they wear and the cars they drive. There is no room or thought that goes into maintaining a roof over their heads not food for their bellies.

In her video, she gave an example of persons who go out of their way to purchase the most expensive piece of clothing for a party coming soon. But they don't know where their next meal is coming from. The only surprise about this video was, she is the same age as many of the individuals she is describing. And I applaud her for having "her head screwed on right".

Nothing that she said was a lie, even though I wish it was. Young people where are you going if all you care about is clothes and shoes and parties. Don't think I want to ruin your fun, but some thought should be given to certain choices, especially ones like this. If you have to get food for the house or a textbook, then get that instead.

The choices we make now will live with you into your old age. And in life, we get to do everything for a time. Work or play, happiness or grief we choose when we will have each.

What good is it to post your life on Social Media?

I love all the media networks. They help to bring traffic to platforms like Vocal and Media, to articles like things, and more that will benefit the person reading it. And I do understand how many persons use Social Media to earn a living. But there are so many young people using social media as a personal album or history book. They post absolutely every aspect of their life on these platforms.

This got me thinking? Is stalking still a problem? If persons post everything about them on the World Wide Web, for those who do not know, then another can look them up. In fact, it seems no different from looking up definitions on the online webster dictionary.

Or what about self-privacy? There probably isn't such a thing but I really hope it becomes something. And that's all I say on that topic.

Living on the Phone but not in the world

The first time I heard this phrase, the first thought was what the hell. But now I get it. We live in a technology world, hand down. But to some, both boys and girls, their phones are the most important thing in the world. So let me give you an example. Parents tell me if I am wrong.

You can ground your children for the entire month, but once they have their phones, you will never get a complaint.

What I realized was that children wouldn't mind losing their playtime because they don't play like children before 2003. They don't even miss talking to their friends, because they don't, talk they text! Seated shoulder to shoulder and sending "LOL" and "WTF" to each other. But the line was drawn at expressionless face and :-), :-( and :P being sent like crazy.

I just want to slip this in here. The last time I asked a student to read a book out loud, I felt like I was administering punishment. It was a struggle. The next day I asked the same student to translate the message from another student, and I thought I was looking at their twin. The translation was done to perfection with all the punctuations I saw and didn't see. That story is for another post.

At this point, I feel nothing but sorry for every generation after 2003. They were robbed of the true wonders of the world and the deep joy from a face-to-face conversation was stolen from them. But that isn't the worse part.

In the world of material thing, someone says this "My goal in like is to own a pair of red bottom shoes and Gucci bag and own a Royce"

Take a minute to understand the mind of most of the young population today. Now think back to when you were 20 years old, or if you are 20 now, what is your ultimate goal in life?

I would like to own a pair of red bottoms and drive a Royce, but those are luxuries behind a good job to afford at least the red bottoms, a house to raise my children, and time to teach them about values in life and to retire at 40. There are more but you get the point.

We are no longer people of our words and dignity, but of the clothes, we wear and the things we possess. So long art and history, so long to slow and steady wins the race, so long to do good and good will follow. And hello fast money and materials run the world.

Living in a Material World is too scary

The reason for the loss of human values is rested squarely on the shoulders of the previous generation. The drive we have to work hard and reward ourselves was corrupted while passing it on to our children. Instead of teaching values like hard work, having pride, gaining respect and dignity, and cautioning against being beguiled by material things, children are given or sometimes brided with whatever they want.

Teaching your children the concept of hard work shouldn't be hard, since you do it every day to give them whatever they want. Revive those half-alive humans with culture, history, and memories from riding a bike and camping in the backyard.

Parents, when you become parents, it's time to put away childish things. Your child needs the books, food, and love more than you need the Gucci bag and Rolex watch. Teach them the art of a good conversation, so when it's time for courtship they can talk to each other. Once they were thought how to live on Earth then their ultimate goals in life wouldn't be to "own a pair of red bottoms of drive a Royce". With help from all around maybe family meals can become a thing again. The sky is the limit.

It's time to teach the next generation how to be humans again. It is time to start living in a world of humans not just exist on Earth.

Thank you for reading. Join Vocal+ Now, and contribute to this discussion.