Shopping As A Sport

The following is an ENCORE Tim Moore blog—written about a year ago—and I received a request to re-run “That shopping blog”….which I think is this one. Enjoy!


I talked to my nine-year old son this morning, happily on his way to the store with his older sister.
He was excited to go shopping, the subtext being that he expected to receive something from the trip. A small toy, a new pair of crocs, certainly something to eat. What kid wouldn’t want to go on such an excursion?

My worry is that no matter how innocent any isolated trip may be, there is a pattern—and a message—that I don’t want my kids to have ingrained in them. Namely, it is the notion that happiness is derived from THINGS. The best way to deal with boredom is to buy something.

I have noticed that “going shopping” has graduated from being a utilitarian endeavor (“I’m OUT of this, so I need to get THAT”) into a social experience and activity where the pursuit of “stuff” has merged with excess free time to create what for many people is a hobby or pastime.

“When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping” is a funny statement, but perhaps all too true. “Shop-aholics” are common in our culture—and the idea that spending money for materials goods may alleviate stress or provide a temporary “high” has some evidence of being fairly accurate. Of course, it is all an illusion. The thought that our innermost needs can be satisfied by THINGS is a pathetic statement of our culture-one that glorifies consumption and encourages comparison of different people based on their possessions. We need a more spiritual approach to affluence and the definition of success.

The Mall of America opened in August of 1992 in Bloomington, Minnesota. So big that a roller coaster entertains folks inside and so varied that it has become a VACATION DESTINATION!!! Over 40 MILLION people visit each year!

Below is a short video “tour” of the Mall of America:




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0WCMzxgz0k

I too, enjoy shopping-and I like buying things as much as the next guy. I don’t mean to imply that I am somehow immune from the tendencies to fixate on inanimate objects. It’s the idea of seeing this behavior in my children that drives me to ask—“Am I that bad too?”

Focusing on family, on people and human needs OUTSIDE our own is perhaps the most effective-and productive way to break the cycle of chasing things for the sake of acquisition alone.
If you’d like my blog in your box, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com
It’s free-no shopping required!