Do Kids Have Too Much Stuff?

By Benjamin Sweeney

“The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”  – Socrates

Computers, gizmos, gadgets, iPods, iPads, iPhones, basketballs, goalie gloves, soccer balls, PlayStations, Wiis, the list goes on! There are so many things that kids have. Sometimes they don’t even realize they have it! Therein lies the irony. Everyone wants more, but many times, less is more.

Less “stuff” yields a better imagination. That is a hard sentence to type because I have a lot of stuff. My mom always says less is more. Interestingly, I recently saw a Lexus commercial that said, “more is more” and that is the pursuit of perfection. However, I am inclined to believe my mom. Less is more!

“Less is more” brings individual satisfaction. When you have too much, you savor nothing. Let’s say you get a new toy each week. What is special about that? You are probably thinking that getting a new toy every week is special, but it is not. Getting an occasional new toy is better because that toy can be enjoyed.

What is ‘simplicity?’ Simplicity may be considered complex. However, it is really rather simple. It is the decision to limit our external wealth so we have greater internal wealth. Fewer things mean more happiness. A “life with less” often means more time with friends, more time with family, more community, more socializing, and more activity. Less stuff is the secret to happiness.