People see things differently and act differently in certain situations. Our opinions most times differ as well; all these are because we are created differently and nurtured differently. Obviously different teachings from different backgrounds, even though the same God created all human beings.
I think our differences are what make us unique in our own way; it's normal. So whenever I come across some weird kind of expressions and attitudes from some persons, I am not surprised; humans will always be humans, and life is a choice after all.
I had an encounter with a woman, and I feel her mentality needs a shift to be sincere. It was the 1st of September of last year, and I was shopping for some items in a mall. She approached me and needed my assistance in choosing a better color of shoe for her child. I did, and just when I was about to face what brought me to the mall, she made an utterance, saying, "It's not as if her child doesn't have school shoes, but this is a new term, so a new term demands new items." Then I asked her if the shoes her child has at home are old already or is, just because it's a new term, she is shopping for a change of shoe.
Her reactions got me interested in knowing her better. She was literally bragging about changing her child's school accessories at three-month intervals regardless of whether they are old or not. She continued, I am blessed financially, and so my child should feel the evidence,of course . I don't care how much any best item for her is worth." She said many words that sounded like buying things unnecessarily, not really because she needed them at that point but because she could afford them, so why not change them?
I don't know what she thinks of being kind to others with the money that God blessed her with, but I decided to remind her about showing kindness to those poorly dressed school children who dress so badly down to their damaged school shoes because their parents aren't privileged like her instead of spending unnecessarily, but then she reminded me that it's not her responsibility to cater to those children in need.
That's right anyways; she was correct about the statement, but what happened to showing a little kindness to others that are truly in need instead of going about shopping for unnecessary replacements simply because you are financially comfortable doing that for yourself and your family? I didn't bother stressing the matter; after all, everyone cannot be me or think or behave like me, but I would have loved if she saw my point, but that never happened.
My kids with my caregiver
From what I believe, God gives us riches for a purpose, and it makes more sense to touch lives positively without being self-centered and wasteful in some cases. A little prayer received from an act of kindness can even give you a long life and more blessings. I have been pondering on this since my encounter with the woman, and I still believe that no matter how blessed financially I become tomorrow, I should mostly buy things simply because I need them, not because I can afford the luxury. Sometimes, out of self-care, I buy things I don't really need, but obviously not as a routine habit.
Overall, I’ve learned that not everything I can afford is really necessary. I prefer to think of others who lack resources, practicing love and kindness, especially when I have the capacity to do so.
So what about you? Do you buy things because you need them or because you can afford them? I would love to know your thoughts.
Btw, happy new year to my fellow mom of hive
All images are mine