Alternative Hedonism
Today, after two quarters of no economic growth, we are finally and officially in a recession. One that is said will sustain for at least two years. As it currently stands, the pound is at 96p to the Euro, and the lowest to the dollar it has been in decades. While the pounds standing may not feel important in our day to day lives, it means that with the billions that our government is borrowing from other countries, it is going to be all the more harder for our country to pay it back. This means things are going to hit a downward spiral for some time to come.
I worry for my job sometimes. I can see the money, which comes in and out of the business, and feel that my position could be negligible sometimes. I love Parkhouse. It gives me time to think and do my own thing as well as work. Naughty I know. For this point in my life, the job suites me, and I know I am very, very lucky. I only hope things continue as we they are for some time, so we can get through this downturn. I find myself evaluating things, where I am, what I want and should be doing with my time. Commercialism at the rate it was growing could never have been sustained, and now at what could for some be the brink of a dark abyss, a rethink of true values is needed. Alternative hedonism, a school of thought for which have a reshuffling of our values, working less and yet still meeting our commercial, ecological and environmental needs, really appeals to me of late. For too long, we have been encouraged to define ourselves and find self worth in what we do as a career. But you are not your job. You are not the clothes you wear, or the house you live in. You are you. And you can improve yourself by the people you choose as friends, and the way you conduct yourself in the world. True self worth is more valuable, more prised than any monetary possession. It’s the triangle of actualisation (or whatever its called!) as long as your basic needs are met, you’ll be ok. Money cannot buy you happiness, if you’ll allow the cliché.
With alternative hedonism, values are shifted to the more sensory. Relationships develop more meaning, and you find more time to spend with the people you love. Commercialism obviously has its uses, and in truth I can’t see it’s end any time soon; especially with the influx of technology, which has already defined our generation. But I do think, as with anything in life, the key is finding a balance. An equilibrium where the needs are met, but not at the negotiation of our time, or true humanist values. After all, you can’t take material possessions with you when you pass on. Now is the time to rethink, to experience, and to truly live.
I worry for my job sometimes. I can see the money, which comes in and out of the business, and feel that my position could be negligible sometimes. I love Parkhouse. It gives me time to think and do my own thing as well as work. Naughty I know. For this point in my life, the job suites me, and I know I am very, very lucky. I only hope things continue as we they are for some time, so we can get through this downturn. I find myself evaluating things, where I am, what I want and should be doing with my time. Commercialism at the rate it was growing could never have been sustained, and now at what could for some be the brink of a dark abyss, a rethink of true values is needed. Alternative hedonism, a school of thought for which have a reshuffling of our values, working less and yet still meeting our commercial, ecological and environmental needs, really appeals to me of late. For too long, we have been encouraged to define ourselves and find self worth in what we do as a career. But you are not your job. You are not the clothes you wear, or the house you live in. You are you. And you can improve yourself by the people you choose as friends, and the way you conduct yourself in the world. True self worth is more valuable, more prised than any monetary possession. It’s the triangle of actualisation (or whatever its called!) as long as your basic needs are met, you’ll be ok. Money cannot buy you happiness, if you’ll allow the cliché.
With alternative hedonism, values are shifted to the more sensory. Relationships develop more meaning, and you find more time to spend with the people you love. Commercialism obviously has its uses, and in truth I can’t see it’s end any time soon; especially with the influx of technology, which has already defined our generation. But I do think, as with anything in life, the key is finding a balance. An equilibrium where the needs are met, but not at the negotiation of our time, or true humanist values. After all, you can’t take material possessions with you when you pass on. Now is the time to rethink, to experience, and to truly live.