"Who is rich? One who is satisfied with what he has."-- Ben Zoma
When I was a child, pretty typically for a middle-class American kid, the Christmas season was a very big deal. As soon as the holly wreath was hung on the front door, I'd be studiously poring through the Sears catalog (as thick as the fall issue of Vogue), composing my wish list for Santa, scribbling down all of the bright, shiny toys that were calling out my name. The list was always long and I certainly did not get everything I asked for, but I did get a fair share of it (also typically American, no?). An Easy-Bake Oven, Color Forms, a giant Barbie "beauty salon" (which consisted of just her head and neck, yet somehow, it was not grisly), on which I could apply sparkly blue eyeshadow and frosty pink lipstick, and curl her almost-realistic blonde hair. I always wanted the game Operation (otherwise known as "electrocuting the patient"?), but for some reason, it never made the cut. Instead, I got Ants in the Pants and Madame Alexander dolls. And I was quite satisfied--grateful, even. Until the next holiday or birthday rolled around, and an all-new wish list could be conjured up with a catalog.
As we grow older, a great many of us continue to keep a running wish list. Like squirrels hoarding nuts in October, we're on a crazed and continuous search for MORE. When does this hamster wheel of wanting and buying come to a halt? I'll tell you what has worked wonders for me: Just like I fast-forward through TV commercials, I avoid catalogs like the plague. I treat them like germ-covered, poison-ivy-ish things--touching them as little as possible on their way to the recycling center.
Getting yourself removed from catalog lists is a job in itself--I've officially opted out through Catalog Choice. It does work, but it's also more labor-intensive than I thought it would be, searching for and separately listing every single catalog I wanted to stop receiving. And, I'm sorry to have to break this news to you, but here it is: Junk mail will never stop vomiting into your mailbox. (Sorry, too graphic?) When you opt out of mailing lists, some catalogs will disappear for a year or so, but then, they will sneak back into your home, insidiously joining the other catalogs that never took a hiatus. (Sigh...)
So, here's my advice: Do not, for one second, open a catalog. I guarantee that you will find something in there that you will want, but most likely, do not need. (Remember the Thneed in The Lorax by Dr. Seuss?) And once you order something, you're right back in the database. Captured again.
Further advice: Do not use catalogs as reading matter to "fill up" spare minutes, waiting for the water to boil or guests to arrive. Aren't there slews of real books you've been meaning to read? Have a stack of books at the ready, and have a conveniently placed recycling bin for the catalogs. If it's too tempting to take a quick peek at them, put the recycling bin in the garage and toss in the catalogs on the way back from the mailbox. Don't even give them a chance. Mentally opt-out. Free yourself of catalogs and you'll find your life richer--not just financially.
Your turn: How do you handle catalogs? Like hot potatoes, time-fillers, or pleasure-reading? Are you ever excited to receive a particular catalog? Please share in the Comments section below. If you are reading this post via email subscription, click on the title or go to www.JoyfullyGreen.com and you can leave a comment at the original post.
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Your turn: In the immortal words of Pat Benatar (I know, I know...I'm showing my age), "Hit me with your best shot!" Please link to your favorite photo in the Comments section below--the photo that fills you with beaming, giddy pride and makes all of your friends enviously say, "WOW! You took THAT?" If you're feeling a tad humble, submit one that simply makes you smile. (Fellow bloggers, this is your chance to plug your blog, so for goodness' sake, have at it!) If you are reading this post via email subscription, click on the title or go to www.JoyfullyGreen.com and you can leave a comment at the original post.
Reader's Note: See the sidebar on the main page for some truly spectacular photography books.
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If you enjoyed reading this post, please support this blog...
- Click HERE to like Joyfully Green on Facebook, where you'll receive new posts first, plus the latest green news.
- Click HERE to follow Joyfully Green on Twitter.
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- Subscribe via RSS reader or email (under "Categories").
- If you choose to purchase any of the items linked on this site from Amazon, please click through the link to do it.
Thanks for reading Joyfully Green!
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(c) 2013 by Joy Sussman/JoyfullyGreen.com. All rights reserved. Photos and text digitally fingerprinted and protected by MyFreeCopyright.com. Site licensed by Creative Commons.
**************************************************************************************** - See more at: http://www.joyfullygreen.com/#sthash.p7quiij2.dpufYour turn: In the immortal words of Pat Benatar (I know, I know...I'm showing my age), "Hit me with your best shot!" Please link to your favorite photo in the Comments section below--the photo that fills you with beaming, giddy pride and makes all of your friends enviously say, "WOW! You took THAT?" If you're feeling a tad humble, submit one that simply makes you smile. (Fellow bloggers, this is your chance to plug your blog, so for goodness' sake, have at it!) If you are reading this post via email subscription, click on the title or go to www.JoyfullyGreen.com and you can leave a comment at the original post.
Reader's Note: See the sidebar on the main page for some truly spectacular photography books.
*************************************************************************************************************************
If you enjoyed reading this post, please support this blog...
- Click HERE to like Joyfully Green on Facebook, where you'll receive new posts first, plus the latest green news.
- Click HERE to follow Joyfully Green on Twitter.
- Click HERE to follow Joyfully Green on Pinterest.
- Subscribe via RSS reader or email (under "Categories").
- If you choose to purchase any of the items linked on this site from Amazon, please click through the link to do it.
Thanks for reading Joyfully Green!
**************************************************************************************************************************
(c) 2013 by Joy Sussman/JoyfullyGreen.com. All rights reserved. Photos and text digitally fingerprinted and protected by MyFreeCopyright.com. Site licensed by Creative Commons.
**************************************************************************************** - See more at: http://www.joyfullygreen.com/#sthash.p7quiij2.dpuf
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