needful things

It has become clear to me just how much the Ubbt has affected my life and how I interact with the world around me. Not all the things I am learning about myself are good. I would never have considered myself overindulgent or self centered but after a recent vacation to Costa Rica this became very evident to me.
You could not ask for a more favorable climate or a more scenic place to spend a vacation. Even when it rains the temperature never drops below 80 degrees. After we left the airport and headed to our vacation rental it became clear to me how poor the native people are. Their homes are constructed of little more than a tin roof and a few walls. Many of them didn't have windows just open screens. It wasn't until a few days later after interacting with the locals that I realized how wrong I was. These people didn't consider themselves poor, but are happy with the simple way in which they choose to live. Their lives are rich in culture and family
A profound guilt began to take form in my mind. In comparison my life is filled with material things,you know the things I need around everyday to make my life easier and well,happy. The need I have to accumulate things... the stuff I really need and can't live without started to make me feel smothered. What was I doing? Is this ugly need really mine? When is enough enough? Does any of it really make me happy? "NO" Time for a reality cheek!
Wow, It feels good to get that off my chest. I am going to do something about it. To start I am going to have a big garage sale and get rid of some of my many "needful things" I am going to make a concentrated effort to buy more mindful of lives basic needs.
I have had my eyes opened in the most unusual of places and cam only put it down to the UBBT and the way I am learning to look at the world through fresh eyes.If you see me eyeing up one of those needful things give me a roundhouse to the head, I know this will not be easy but I want to give it a try. Maybe I can become more aware of what it takes to be really happy....

talk to you all soon
Linda