Quote From: wendydarlingtx I appreciate Dr. Phil's honest, no-nonsense approach to advising
his guests, however much that makes them uncomfortable, yet I wish he
had made one very important point to Carlena. That point being, Why
does she think "the best" in life is just expensive possessions? Why
does she make objects her top priority, which is evident in her
spending habits.
I feel like I see this sort of mentality
everywhere I look. Of course, iI enjoy dressing well, living in
nice, comfortable surroundings, occasionally eating sumptuous meals
every now and then. But this consumerism has to be tempered with
moderation, and the belief that the pursuit of objects ultimately does
not make life meaningful and satisfying.
Let me put it to you
this way: Would you rather have the trendiest clothes and most
up-to-date electronic equipment, yet be lonely and have no friends or
family? If your house went up in flames, would yourather the objects
perish, or your family's lives?
There must really be a lot of lonely and miserable people out there trying to fill themselves up with all of this stuff. Where did they learn this behavior? Didn't we all grow up watching Sesame Street and Disney Movies and so forth which teaches us to be kind and to share and all of those good warm and fuzzy American values? I didn't, but don't a lot of people grow up going to religious services and so forth which teach them to be giving to others, to be humble, and to value goodness above all material things? Weren't some of these kids boy scouts or girl scouts and had to rough it in the woods and learn to find their inner strengths rather than show off the latest trends?
When did everyone's values shift so dramatically? Why can't people find happiness in simple things anymore? Where did this come from?
