Boxing Day Sales

December 27, 2010
Paul Loewen |

I have never gone shopping on Boxing Day. I'm not entirely sure why. Perhaps in some families it is tradition. In mine it wasn't, and I never showed any interested myself. Last year on Black Friday an employee was killed when trampled by the mass of people entering the building. I can hardly believe that the people were that determined to get inside that they didn't notice they were stepping on a human being. 

I know that I am an avid tech consumer. I love technology - I find it fascinating and entertaining. I read multiple tech blogs each day, keeping up with the latest that's coming out or even just rumoured. The only flyers I read are Best Buy's and Future Shop's, yet I still don't find myself in a rush to take advantage of ridiculous sales at electronics stores on December 26th. I still can't figure out why. 

But to me, Boxing Day demonstrates just how deeply consumerism has invaded our lives. I'm not saying that I'm perfect by avoiding Boxing Day - I participate in consumerism in other ways on other days - but it's alarming to see the rate that we're consuming goods. If you're interested in watching a great 20-minute video on just how and why consumerism is awful, click here. It's called "The Story of Stuff," and it's well-made. 

I know the tendency within me is to consume - I like things. But there's a part of me that's reaching out and knows that I need to control it. I want that part to grow, because I don't like what people become when they simply consume. I believe we're here for a lot more than that.

Taking Heart,

Paul

Author Name: 
Paul Loewen
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