The Excitement of Having vs. Getting

My son, Reed, is turning four soon. He has been telling me this for about 11 and a half months. Of course, the number four is not the real thrill for him... instead, it is the fact that with the "turning" comes a BIRTHDAY! Woo-hoo! Can you feel the excitement?!?! And, as you know, with a Birthday comes... PRESENTS!!!!

Last year, Reed turned three. This highly pleasurable event was what gave birth to the sense of delight that he now associates with the "turning..." He got so many gifts! He could hardly contain himself as he opened present after present. Ripping off the wrapping paper seemed to be the highlight, casting a shadow over whatever was hidden within. After relishing the sound of tearing gift wrap, he'd glance briefly at the toy, and then cast it aside as another present was handed to him.

He couldn't really keep track of it all, either. Within a matter of days, he had largely forgotten the newly acquired toys and settled back into his familiar -- and endearing -- imaginative habits of playing with whatever happened to be nearby, like his food if he was at the table, or a stick if he was outside.

In my consistent attempts to keep the clutter in our home under control, several of the ignored items have found their way to the local second-hand store, where, I'm sure, some treasure-seeker discovered their "like-new" quality and undoubtedly felt that they had scored quite a deal.

Remember the COLAS post? This seems to be a related philosophical deep thought -- that the excitement of GETTING something outshines the excitement of HAVING something to such an extent that we are no longer content once we HAVE -- we simply look forward to the adrenaline-rush of GETTING again.

I have been unfair in using sweet Reed as the example in this post... he's simply cuter than I am in his blatant, unabashed addiction to getting. I confess: I am just as guilty (if that's the right word) of this behavior! In recognizing it, though, I hope to start the process of reversing it.

I hereby pledge to choose to find just as much joy in what I already HAVE! 

I will strive to quit thinking I need the thrill of GETTING in order to feel joy!

I hereby relinquish the habit of filling my life with MORE clutter that I'll inevitably get bored with and eventually pass on to the next Getter.

It's a direly-needed attitude-change. It will take time. Might as well start now! Ready? Set? GO!