If you listen to The Minimalists’ Podcast, you’ve heard, “Love people and use things because the opposite never works,” which they use to sign off every episode. This catch-phrase evolved from a quote from Fulton J. Sheen, circa 1925, who first said, “You must remember to love people and use things, rather than to love things and use people.”
How many people in this world today live this in reverse? They step all over others, use their friends and family, and fight so hard for the almighty dollar just to chase the latest ‘shiny thing’. All too soon there is something else they just must have, so they drop everything to run after that too. After scrolling through social media this morning, one of my biggest complaints is how disposable our society has become, not only with possessions but people as well.
Its one thing to discard a perfectly good car, computer, or device simply because a new version is now available. People are NOT disposable. (Neither are animals, but that’s a topic for another day)
Through life you will have friendships that will fade. Some people are placed in your life for a season or a reason. There are times when you discover your new relationship is toxic. It is healthy and necessary to walk (or RUN) away from these people. What I’m referring to is dropping friends who have stuck with you through the hard times simply to pursue a new relationship. Turning your back on the family who has supported you through your struggles once you’ve gotten successful. Walking out of a marriage because you find it needs work. The grass is not always greener…if you don’t water it on the other side of the fence, it will die there as well.
Treasure the people in life that care for what comes their way. They work hard for what they have and value it. When a rough patch arises in a relationship, they work together on a solution. If more people subscribed to this school of thought, how much better would the world be for all of us?
Written for Linda G. Hill’s Daily Prompt JusJoJan the 19th, 2023 – Complaint, Ragtag Daily Prompt Thursday – Disposable, and is blog #16 for Penny Wilson Writes Name Your Number Writing Challenge
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