What Are Essentials & Wants?

February 01-2009:

What Are Essentials & Wants?

With the current international economic crisis in mind, let us get our priorities in order. So let me explain some vital priorities that we all have to consider, as we meander our way through this global crisis.
What are essentials?

Essentials can be interpreted to mean anything that one cannot do without. Such as (in our modern context), food, clothes, a roof over our head, a steady job or steady employment, and money in one's pocket for basic needs.

In some developing countries, some or most of the above items are something to dream about, and will never be realized for most people in poor or developing countries.

What are wants?

Wants are something that most of us feel we must have, in order to fit in, to feel accomplished, to identify with, or to give one some status in the eyes of our friends, co-workers, communities, or society at large.

Most of our individual wants are based on most or all of the above concepts, and does not bring us happiness in the long term. Nor does it make us feel content for any length of time either.

Having said that, then let us admit that most of us fall into the latter category above, and are responsible for some of financial circumstances that we find ourselves in right how. Too much personal and relentless credit, wanting to have more that we can personally afford, and still do even though we know it will cost us gravely in the long run.

This attitude is endemic in most developed and developing societies. Consumer driven, materialistic values, and the feeling that having THINGS are the only way to advertise your worth, or social standing in society.

Conclusion:

We all have to re-educate ourselves on our individual priorities, values, and concepts about ourselves. We MUST do this in order for Real and meaningful steps forward in the way we do business, pay our debts, aspirations, and plan for our retirement and personal financial security.

Failing to make the necessary adjustments right now, will allow this crisis to drag on for years to come. And those of us who feel that wishing away this crisis is the way to go. Then I say to you all, that nothing happens without human personal action/s.

Not even prayer, if human action is absent!

Derryck.
NYC.