Ceiling on desires
Most of us have probably seen those Ads on TV which say that for the price of a Starbucks coffee we could provide one meal for a family of four in some poor country. We often just do not think too much about these things but if we stop and consider how much good we could do by putting a ceiling on our desires and using the saving that accrue thereof to serve others in need, we're now on to something very interesting.
The practice of putting a ceiling on desires could start with simple things. If I am in the habit of dringing Starbucks coffee three days a week, I could decide to cut back to twice a week. Rather than eat out at resturants three or four times a month, I could decide to eat out not more than twice a month. As we get better at this we can put ceilings on bigger things. Do I really need designer glasses? Could I drive a Honda instead of a BMW?
It does not really matter where you place the ceiling as long as you pick one and stick with it. Your concience will guide you and bother you if you intentionally put the ceiling too high. The important thing is to steadfastly stay below your ceiling.
The ceiling on desires leaves us with some extra money and the best thing is to put it away lest we should impulsively spend it on something in a moment of weakness. For this, it helps to setup a separate bank account that one mentally ear marks as the Charity Account and establish an automatic monthly payment into this account. This way you do not see the money in your regular checking account so there are less chances you will spend it or even miss it! Also, when you have to make a charitable donation you do not have to worry about the hole it will leave in your pocket.
Such a simple and yet so powerful concept that anybody can follow. Some day may be some of us will be able to rise to the challenge of owning only what is absolutely necessary for us and using the balance of our resources to serve others like Mahatma Gandhi did. Until then let's at least start with a ceiling on desires.
The practice of putting a ceiling on desires could start with simple things. If I am in the habit of dringing Starbucks coffee three days a week, I could decide to cut back to twice a week. Rather than eat out at resturants three or four times a month, I could decide to eat out not more than twice a month. As we get better at this we can put ceilings on bigger things. Do I really need designer glasses? Could I drive a Honda instead of a BMW?
It does not really matter where you place the ceiling as long as you pick one and stick with it. Your concience will guide you and bother you if you intentionally put the ceiling too high. The important thing is to steadfastly stay below your ceiling.
The ceiling on desires leaves us with some extra money and the best thing is to put it away lest we should impulsively spend it on something in a moment of weakness. For this, it helps to setup a separate bank account that one mentally ear marks as the Charity Account and establish an automatic monthly payment into this account. This way you do not see the money in your regular checking account so there are less chances you will spend it or even miss it! Also, when you have to make a charitable donation you do not have to worry about the hole it will leave in your pocket.
Such a simple and yet so powerful concept that anybody can follow. Some day may be some of us will be able to rise to the challenge of owning only what is absolutely necessary for us and using the balance of our resources to serve others like Mahatma Gandhi did. Until then let's at least start with a ceiling on desires.
posted by Anil | 9:12 PM
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