As the pandemic brings to light the injustices that were for so long swept under the rugs, one can\u2019t help but feel an overwhelming sense of helplessness. Perhaps these injustices were always there in broad daylight- but the hustle and bustle of our day-to-day lives gave us an excuse to avoid thinking about things much further. In a blog earlier this summer, Susu Lassa wrote, \u201cCOVID-19 ripped back the curtain on the various systemic problems in the U.S and worldwide, and police brutality and racial injustice were once again cast into the limelight\u2026\u201d This pandemic has also pulled back the curtains on the economic injustices as while over 40 million Americans filled for unemployment over the past couple of months, billionaires added a staggering $637 billion to their wealth. Looking at figures like these it seems more necessary than ever to reflect and reassess the choices we make with regards to how we live and how we consume. Over the next few blog posts, we will explore and reaffirm simple living, stewardship, just dealings, and mutuality as they relate to economic justice and economic peacemaking; especially as we go forward during this pandemic. This first post in a series of four, explores simple living in a time of consumerism and consumer culture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Simple Living <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the years there have been\nnumerous Annual Conference Statements on Christian living, stewardship, and\ncreation care -all of which, I believe, point to the importance of simple\nliving. A 1980 annual conference statement emphasizes simplicity as a Christian\nway of life. But what is simple living? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not to be confused with minimalism,\n<\/em>which often refers to simplicity as it pertains to physical possessions;\nSimple living refers to a mindset focused on reduced consumption, with value\nplaced on essentials and things that bring us joy. (Babauta) Simple living is\nmore than just a cleared-out closet and rejection of luxury goods. It is a\nmindset in which value is placed on finding joy in our human connections, our\ncommunity, and nature. In his book Freedom of Simplicity, <\/em>Richard J.\nFoster argues that simplicity is \u201can inward reality that results in an outward\nlifestyle.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n By choosing to live simply, we make\nmental and financial space to develop our spiritual life. We shift our focus\nfrom finding ways to preserve our affluent lifestyles, to working to grow our\nunderstanding of God and all creation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Consumer Culture\nand Consumerism <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cConsumer culture denotes a social\narrangement in which the relations between lived culture and social resources,\nand between meaningful ways of life and the symbolic and material resources on\nwhich they depend, are mediated through markets.\u201d (Arnould and Thompson, 869)\nRather than being a means of reflecting cultural values, consumption has become\na culture value, contributing to the ever-expanding list of our needs and\ndesires. (Goodman and Cohen) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Be aware of\nConsumer Culture and intentional in how you navigate through it. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Most\nthings we do are a matter of habit, conditioning, training, and unconscious\nimitation. We are programmed by culture, family, and media, seldom questioning\nwhy we act as we do, or whether we are doing the things we value most. Many of\nthe Influences which shape our behavior – hedonism, triumphalism, cynicism,\nlegalism – run counter to the lifestyle of the kingdom of God which Jesus lived\nand proclaimed. (AC 1980, Christian Lifestyle)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Author Kit Yarrow in her book Decoding\nThe New Consumer Mind<\/em> writes that studies show that hidden, unconscious\ncues such as scents, colors, product placement, and how words sound, are now\nmore influential to our purchase decision process than ever before. We are told\nwhat we need and increasingly our ability to discern our needs from our wants\nis fading -or at least it seems to be. As such, there is great power in\nawareness because only when people become aware of a habit are they able to\nmake intentional decisions to combat it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As I finish up writing this piece, I\nrealize just how all over the place it is. But isn\u2019t that more telling of the\ninterwoven nature of our lives? How our choice to live simply will not only\nbenefit us spiritually and financially, but can also benefit the community, the\nenvironment, and the next generation. For a BVS\u2019er like me, on a tight budget,\npracticing simple living is the only choice. But I hope I develop a way of\nliving that extends beyond my year here. I want to make sure that I do not take\nup more space and resources in this world than what was allotted for me; so\nthat others who share this Earth with me and those coming after me can enjoy it\nas I have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Suggested\nReading:<\/strong> Consumer Culture by Goodman and Cohen\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sources <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The masterpiece of a simple life |\nMaura Malloy | TEDxIndianapolis<\/p>\n\n\n\n Babauta, Leo. \u201cThe Simple Guide to a\nMinimalist Life.\u201d Amazon<\/em>, Publisher Not Identified, 2009,\nwww.amazon.com\/Simple-Guide-Minimalist-Life\/dp\/1455831972. <\/p>\n\n\n\n