No, I'm not talking about spending money as quickly as it can be spent! I'm talking about fasting (taking a break) from ALL "non-essential" spending.
I'm currently on my 4th day of a spending fast that started when I was challenged by a tag-line from Advent Conspiracy's website -- Moving from Consumption to Compassion. The word Consumption was glaring to me. I started thinking about just how much I, as a consumer, consume. I was struck by the thought that not a day goes by that I haven't purchased something. A drink at Buc-ee's, a bite to eat while I'm on the go, a cute shirt off the rack, etc and so on.
My thoughts then wondered to other areas of consumption...too much food, too much drink, too much time. And then it dawned on me. Something that has been gnawing under my skin for quite some time really. I don't live my life on purpose. I live my life on a whim. Whatever I want to do at any given moment, I've given myself liberty to do. I've had no center. I've had no map, really, to help guide me to my destination.
The problem with living on a whim is that one gets knocked around quite a bit. Any wind of change could cause a change in course because there is no clear direction to begin with. I've imagined a place, a situation, a preferred life, but have assumed that just by thinking about it, or wanting it, I would attain it. I've haven't considered the actions I have been taking have derailed any movement toward realization of this preferred life. I've had a goal, but I've had no plan to reach my goal.
With this fast, I'm starting to put substance, tangible results, to my goals -- at the very least I have a plan of action. I suspect it will have far greater impact than just on my spending habits.
