STUFF By: Rita Hallak
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The 3 social classes are lower, middle and upper, which one are you? Before answering, know what defines one and let’s be real. Class is an aura of confidence that is being sure without being cocky…it has nothing to do with the amount of money you make, the clothes you wear, the cars you drive, where you live, how successful you are or where you received your education. It is self-discipline and self-knowledge and inner peace. It is very simple yet, difficult for many to understand. This photo resonated with me that I felt compelled to further express my state of mind. Hopefully, many of you could relate to how I feel and it will resonate with you too. Particularly, those of you who are superficial and have made condescending comments towards different social class or any actions that have demonstrated a force of hierarchy in a direct or indirect way. We’ve all done it or heard someone compare themselves to others while making judgment and claiming to be better or “classier.” Who are we to compare ourselves? Who are we to say otherwise? We’ve all committed or witnessed the flaunting of materialistic “stuff” through social media. This only continues to shape our society into what has become the norm. All while it gives a negative connotation for the young generation and affects them in a way that will ultimately convince them to need “stuff” in order to find their identity. Hence, it substantiates their social class, or at least what they hope to be perceived as–because that’s what everyone else is doing. . While using social media today, could self-gratification be a motivating drive? Since the internet technology hit every home in America, almost everyone has a Facebook, Instagram or Twitter account and new social arenas are created each year. Many people today, are living vicariously through other people’s lives who post what they’re doing practically every hour of the day. Don’t get me wrong, I love pictures of outings, trips, friends, babies and families. Where I draw the line, is when someone is “bragging” about their materialistic “stuff” by posting it all over Facebook or Instagram. Why do people feel the urge to post a picture of a Channel bag they received as a gift, their new car, or talk about the gift they received? Has social media taken over our reality? Through social media, are we seeking validation to a certain class status we want to be perceived as? Is it an act of self-affirmation that makes them feel good? If so, that is unfortunate. In my opinion, that person is lacking attention elsewhere and this includes self-confidence while feeling the need to repeatedly display what he/she owns in hopes of receiving many “likes” and comments from friends in which makes one feel good about themselves and their social status. . When posting your homes, furniture, cars, clothes, jewelry or any materialistic “stuff,” ask yourself the following: What is your purpose in life? To who and what are you proving yourself to be? Are you living for the viewers or yourself? Seek the purpose of your life that holds a deeper meaning and goes beyond the surface of the aforementioned. If it is for yourself, let your actions prove this to be true through modesty. . There are more purposes to our lives than validating our status through social media today. Why should anyone care about other people’s “Stuff?” It’s like watching TMZ, a gossip program about movie stars. They talk about what the stars are wearing, driving, who they are dating and where they’re spending their holidays. Even down to what restaurant they were spotted at. Who really cares about that “stuff?” I’ll tell you who does. It is those of you who have a void in your life and cannot stay focused on what should matter most—health and happiness within your means. Let’s be grateful for what we can have and clear our minds from comparing and showing off our status or a “projected” status that only achieves deception. Each one of us have either acted on or witnessed someone performing as such. The photo about the rich and poor visually confirms my message I am conveying to you. Thus, after all your “stuff,” it won’t even matter anymore when we will be resting in the same zip code…6 feet under (no pun intended). . I am not here to sound like a hypocrite. I will be the first to say that I too, have fallen into the spell of our social media and flaunted some of my own “stuff.” Let’s be honest by admitting that we have all done this at one point of our lives—we can’t change if we cannot admit. I hope this will inspire you to reevaluate yourself and help change your way of being. My goal is to start a conversation about looking at everyone equally for which they are inside, and not by their class. If we could get rid of our pride and open up our hearts, we then can revision the true meaning of life and live by the act of humility. I SAY THIS: Don’t forget where you, your parents and ancestors came from. Somewhere along your bloodline was a family member who had experienced poverty at one point. For this reason, you should refrain from judging others or comparing yourself. Be humble and maybe the hatred, envy and jealousy will diminish as well as improve our next generation to come. . Questions to ask yourself: What defines you? What gravitates others to be around you? If you lost all your wealth (social status) tomorrow, are you confident that your friends would view you the same way, continue to respect and be around you? If you lost everything, would you feel comfortable with yourself when or if the time comes to take off your mask? When you are gone, how would you like to be remembered? These questions are to help you look beyond the surface and find the deeper meaning to your life. To look beyond the “things” that should never hold value or define you. To put less emphasis on materialistic objects and more into your authentic self. Be the person who leaves a footprint behind. If you want to help change the status quo in our society today, look at yourself and start there. I leave you with the analogy of Life is Like a Coffee. “By concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee…the happiest people don’t have the best of everything…they just make the best of everything!” . Our life is the coffee; our jobs, money, position in society and all of our stuff is the cup. It’s not about the cup so much as the quality of the coffee in it. At the end when were 6 ft under, there won’t be any difference, so start now.  . Love and Light,  Rita
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