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Resisting Free Stuff
Kishore (January 2004) Sometime back I have shared an article about eliminating desires. I have also noticed that we have a behavior that was acting against this. Temptations always come our way. Free Stuff is more attractive than the stuff we acquire by spending money because it is free and there is no decision making required. Typically when we spend money to get something there is a burden of taking a decision 'to buy' or 'not to buy'. If someone is offering to give something free to us, we don't hesitate. As we start taking all the free stuff we are offered, we tend to collect things that are unnecessary to us also. Of course, business organizations use this "free" tag to lure customers. I am not going to talk whether this is right or wrong. What I am talking about is our own intentions of reducing our desires and leading a detached life. While I stated that I have started watching how my desires try to influence me, I found that I still had tendency to take everything that is offered free. One day I was participating in a celebration where there were free gifts. As usual everyone was anticipating that their luck will turn and they get a free gift. Even I was very eager that I get a free gift. At this point of time, I noticed one of members present didn't care about the free gifts. When he got a free gift, without any hesitation he gave it away. Within seconds of receiving the free gift, he was able to give it away. He was in a state of detachment where he knew what he wanted and didn't want to burden himself with more than what he needs and wants. This experience made me realize that I have not conquered by temptations completely. I realized that I have so much free stuff lying around my house for which I don't have any use for. But I took it just because it came free. This awareness has made me be more watchful about these temptations:
Other problem with free stuff we receive is we cannot make use of it, we cannot get rid of it. When we try to get rid of it, we feel we may need it sometime in future. And even after a long time we still feel don't feel like getting rid of it. When Internet boom started, there was a boom of Free stuff also. Free e-mail accounts, free homepages, free newsletter, free downloads etc. Everyone got tempted by all the free stuff. Gradually all the free stuff became restrictive. I have been watching my temptations to accept free stuff. But recently I was traveling and some one was offering some free snacks to everyone. I first said no and then he made emphasis that it is free. For some reason, I immediately picked up one. Then he remarked 'free' always does the trick. I felt ashamed that I could not resist the temptation despite my awareness. Summary Why acquire something which we don't need? We always have to be careful our possessions either physical or mental. If we don't watch, our life becomes cluttered. Resisting free stuff and doing away with stuff which we really don't need are strategies I have been attempting to follow. Above are my thoughts and experiences about the free stuff that has been causing problems to me. I am more watchful of words: "Free", "Buy one, get one free". We always have to work for what we desire and free stuff is rarely of use and value to us. Related Articles |