Live simply so others can simply live

I came across this online just now. It's a good reminder of how lucky we are. All the fine dining, fancy lifestyles, expensive wine, holidays (I'm guilty of this one), furniture, and decorations - how many of us actually stop and think about what we're doing? Let's face it, none of the material things we buy are a matter of life or death for us. We ought to be able to live simply and yet contentedly. So why do we need to keep buying all this junk? To make us happy? Surely we can tell how shallow that sounds, even before we say it, considering there are others dying of hunger.

I've always had this silly idea: anyone who has not been poor or experienced hardship should be given a chance in their lifetime. It helps to bring things into perspective, helps one appreciate every penny, and enables them to sympathize with those going through a hard time. Okay, I'm in a weird mood and sounding very preachy, let's end this post quickly!

Next time when we "spend just because we can," going way beyond necessity, way beyond comfort, and treading along the borderline of wastefulness, let's remind ourselves that this same amount of money used to uphold our "taste" could be life-changing for others who are less fortunate.

This is not what the video is about, by the way - not 100%, anyway. It's just me babbling.

Here is an inspiring and heartbreaking video that gave me the title of this post:

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In an unconventional yet profound exploration, Khyentse's book unpacks the four seals that mark authentic Buddhist teachings - the dharma regarding impermanence, suffering, no-self, and nirvana. Through an lens that dispels myths and misconceptions, he examines these foundational concepts, providing a refreshingly accessible perspective. Khyentse's unique approach encourages critical thinking as he guides readers to deeper understanding of the four seals.