Things: why do we have them?

These past few months I have been silent on this site. 

• Part of that is moving into retirement – and giving myself space to “do nothing.”  Well, time is up!! 
• Another part is a desire to start writing on a grander scale than just blogging.  That has started to happen. 
• But, I miss the short, pithy pages that outline my life and some of my off the wall thoughts.

So, I’m back.  With a posting on an interesting thought:  “Why do we have things: “

1. Cash – they are a trade commodity. We gain greater (or lose more) money depending on the current value of the commodity. Cash is expected to provide a better life – or at least the option of purchasing better or more enjoyable things.

2. Comfort – there are many aids to our lives which make them easier – drugs, household appliances, paint to highlight walls, desks for writing, beds for sleeping and homes for shelter. At the least these things help us to enjoy our lives by not requiring us to sacrifice or overdo ourselves.

3. Collection – Good art and unusual things are often collected for the sake of cash or comfort. This category goes a bit further, in that aesthetics (the love of the beautiful) plays a part in a collection that does not necessarily provide money or comfort. A collector has a desire to gather around themselves that which is pleasing to them (and perhaps themselves alone!).

4. Creation – Some love to create things that flow from their innermost being. In this case, there is not a particular desire to make money, or to provide a comfortable living situation, or even to keep that which is created (in fact, this may be a point at which the desire is to give to others).