Definitely my new mantra and my intention for 2010.

My eldest was just blessed with a few toys from family and tomorrow she gets to pick which ones she wants to keep and which will go to our friends; kids who are in need. It’s so interesting to watch her hold an old toy and a new one in her hand. I can see the wheels turning. She’s asking herself the question I hoped she’d ask, the one we all need to continually ask: “What do I treasure?”

Treasuring and wanting are not the same thing. Wanting comes from a need to pacify the beast. Treasuring sprouts from love, affection, and respect.

Tomorrow I’ll also be going through my closets, cupboards, and every room to search out anything that isn’t representative of what our family treasures. Excess be gone. It’s an ongoing process that I’m fine tuning.

So often we ask ourselves why we don’t get “what we want.” In many cases the problem can be found within conflicting desires. We ask for clarity and produce clutter. We ask for freedom and create stifling environments. Maintaining one’s personal space is physically easy and must be done with…you guessed it, intention!

It’s okay to be a consumer but what we need to learn to do is make purchases that are in alignment with who we are and what we want our world to look like. I have felt the difference between spending $100 at Target on who knows what and spending the same amount supporting passionate entrepreneurs and artists whose products will bring joy and beauty to my lives and the lives of my loved ones.

Don’t fall for the catchphrase “Get more for less.” Do we really want more? We’re bursting at the seams with stuff. Our challenge as wealthy individuals (because in my book if you know where you next meal is coming from and sleep in a warm bed, you’ve got it good) is not to keep neurotically collecting and passing the same value on to our kids.  Once we have our basic needs met, one would do well to become selective. Picky. Buying on purpose based on true needs and on a pre-established consumer value system.

Quality over quantity. This has little to do with prices. Save the money you’d spend on five cheaply made trinkets and find one great one. Set limits. Focus on experiences rather than filling up a toy box. Get art supplies or a real musical instrument. When your living room becomes a room you can actually live in again you’ll know you’re on to something good.

Photo from SFGate.com

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