“It is not the man who has little, but he who desires more, that is poor.” Seneca, who was a Roman philosopher, once said these words. Greed and materialism has spread throughout the world, residing in many people. In school, there is an invisible competition to see who has the prettiest clothes, the best brands, and the latest fashions. Greed can cause resentment and jealousy. It may be as simple as a child resenting their parents, when they are denied candy at the grocery store, or a greater hatred towards someone. Many people have lost sight of what truly matters, and focus on their greed for more.
About a year ago, I wanted a cell phone. When I think back on my actions now, I laugh at myself. I was irrational and immature. I complained about most of my friends had cell phones, I whined, I begged, and I cried. Every once in a blue moon I also tried negotiating with actual logical reasoning. After my parents finally relented, I hardly even used my phone because I did not have unlimited texting or a popular phone. The cell phone that I once looked forward to so much has become a mere device sitting on my desk. I will admit that I did want a phone simply because I felt like more and more of my friends were getting one.
Although many people do use their cell phones, numerous fads explode in popularity and disappear just as quickly, leaving them sitting in a drawer collecting dust like my phone. In sixth grade there was a fad called Silly Bandz. They were colored rubber bands shaped in random shapes and figures. They were not resourceful for anything other than looking pretty on your arm, yet their popularity sky rocketed. They disappeared within a year, and I found mine a while back. They were dirty, tangled, and forgotten.
Following the recent trend is usually not harmful, except maybe to a parent’s wallet. What is not good is when someone becomes so consumed with fitting in and having certain things that they lose sight of what is important. A girl I know also wanted a cell phone. She was complaining about her parents and their actions, despite the fact that it was already confirmed that she would get an iPhone soon. She criticized her parents for paying for a relative’s home. Her contempt for her own parents astounded me. I would not deny that I can be a brat and selfish, but her anger was shocking. It seemed as if her love for her parents was beneath her love of material goods.
At the end of the day, possessions are simply possessions. They can easily be replaced or fixed. Fairly often it is not the item itself that someone wants, but the conversation or popularity it can bring. Unfortunately, the item can quickly become outdated along with its popularity. Family, knowledge, and true friends will carry and support someone through life. They are unconditionally indispensable.