Why are people obsessed with possessions they don’t need?

Question

Shouldn’t the one possession they need is to find inner peace within themselves?

Answer 1

There are those of us who feel the need to impress others by showing off their income or credit buying power with things like status cars and houses too big and grand for a family of two or three.
There are those of us with low self esteem who try to bolster our self-worth through owning pretty stuff that maybe we don't even really own since we put it all on credit cards and struggle week to week trying to juggle payments on the junk.
There are those of us who hoard belongings that we will never have enough time or space to utilie but yet it makes us feel safer somehow having it there "just in case".
I see all of it too and it can get discouraging at times when my children ask why so and so at school can get a $300 bike or a new video game when it isn't their birthday or anything or why does my cousin have a bigger room and more toys than I do etc etc.
I use those times to impress upon them that the stuff is all down here (make hand motion along toward the ground area) and God wants us to be up here (motion up with your mind and heart). I tell them everyone has different priorities and that God wants us to keep our priorities on the life beyond this one. He who is last shall be first. Put off instant gratification now to build an eternity for then.
Yes, inner peace is most important. Unfortunately it usually takes a life crisis for us to remember that life is a miracle EVERY DAY and each moment should be cherished.
Cherish the people in our lives, not the stuff.

Answer 2

Yes. Finding the inner peace within themselves is what everyone should possess. To find that inner peace requires a person to seek it. Many people find it in their belief in God, reading the Bible, meditation, or doing something like knitting, or making things, painting, sculpturing, swimming, or just plain appreciating the beauty of nature, people, or music. Writing is a good activity which could bring inner peace. Remember possessions are a part of our life. We have to put out a lot of energy to get them, and some we use, and maintain. They, too, are an activity. Also, I would like to see your list of those possessiond we don't need.

Answer 3

Greed. Greed is a never ending cycle of wanting some thing, getting that thing and then losing interest. We then move on to the next thing that is wanted. It isn't actually the object that is wanted, but the feelings or emotions that getting what is wanted.

People, sex, food, money, cars, drugs, etc. Each has an aspect of the same cycle of wanting.

Look in your closet or your desk drawer. How many things there did you believe that you wanted, only to disregard them soon after acquiring them. The outfit you loved, the music you had to have and so on. It was the feeling that was wanted that object is believed to accomplish.

Wanting inner peace is the same problem.

Answer 4

Define need and you have the reason. Finding inner peace is not a possession but an activity and once found requires no further search. Yet, our life style frequently requires that we have certain possessions.

Answer 5

Yeah; Buddhism really addresses this. Eastern ideas on the cultivation of wisdom and character development are quite insightful. The idea is that we are in conflict with the persona we portray to the world around us; we need to discover ourselves and resolve this conflict to find happiness. For some reason we seem to be focused on making money; as though money is the sole indicator of social value. Additionally, being aware of the "haves" when you are a "have-not" is really stressful and is believed to be related to premature aging and early death. Thinking that everyone else around you has all this nice stuff when you have nothing would make you naturally feel worthless, the way Americans are raised anyway. We are the biggest consumers on the planet.

Answer 6

everyone needs a hobby.... some people feel their hobby is collecting junk and possessions....
I collect comics and have a lot of them and it is one of the few possessions I dont really need but I have sentimental attatchment to them all and I plan to pass them down to my kids....
Most people have no sense of what they do and dont need and cant depart with things as they live life.
I sell something before it becomes worthless even if i only get a buck for it or junk or I am happy for it to be given away just as everything is being used and I dont have junk clogging up my life and my headspace.

My simple test if something is junk...
Have I used it within last year? No.
Am I going to use or need it within the next year? No.
Is it worth anything in the marketplace?No.
Will a charity accept it/Can I give it away to friends/family?No.

Then it's junk......throw it.

Answer 7

Because of the constant bombardment by the media..... buy this get that... Starts with children and moves on up the age chain.

And you are right inner peace is more important.

Answer 8

We've been raised in a society that portrays success as having the brand new car, the $200,000 home, the newest clothes, the biggest TV and more. A wonderful husband and father who only makes $30,000 a year is worth sh!t in today's world. (Not in my book, of course, but to other people.) We are obsessed with appearances, when we really need to be more concerned about ourselves and our families.

Answer 9

We spend most of our younger lives trying to amass possessions, and spend the remaining part of our lives giving it all away. So why did we get it in the first place? Good question.

Answer 10

Hang on while I go and close the cupboard door more junk just fallen out again.

Mine was a magificent obsession from going to antigues stalls and markets...until my husband put his foot down with a firm hand.