Awakened!...Or perhaps just stirring

I value people who can detach themselves from all material things, who appreciate the value in life itself, in spiritual existences, those who have no desire for materialism. I am not very materialistic, relatively - I don't enjoy shopping, I don't care for a big TV or a nice car. But I do spend more money than I have and allow money to be a stress in my life. I do care about how I dress, I do want to travel, I do spend a lot of money going out and socialising, I do have expenses; the gym, a mobile plan, a DVD rental, whatever. Lately I have been questioning my attachment to money and material things. I have been thinking about the ideas around money vs. happiness and what it all means.

I know and have accepted that I will never have 'money' as such in my life. I will have a home, clothes, holidays, food, things, I will have debt. And I know that people, usually without realising, will adjust their expenditure to their income. So it really makes no difference what I earn, I will still be in debt and still not have enough to satisfy. Just look at Micheal Jackson (probably a bad example but it is what is in the spotlight now), one would look at his income and think, 'if only I had that amount of money, I would be set,' which may be true, but Psychology and Economics will suggest that more likely you will adjust to it and then not have enough.

It is also my belief and have accepted that I owe, yes owe, part of my 'money' to help where there is a need. Just to touch on that idea briefly, I owe it to those who have a need because food, shelter, security, health care, and other essentials are a right not a privilege for people with money. Regardless of how they became in their powerless position, regardless of anything, these things are an unconditional right.

Now, these 3 paragraphs may seem a bit detached from each other, and they are. There is a ribbon that ties them together (it's pink) but at this early stage of belief and philosophy development it is too early to make that clear connection and definitely not a conclusion. But, I am sensing that as I think and feel more on this topic it will lead to me getting rid of all my material possessions, quitting my conventional life and moving into a Buddhist convent to spend the rest of my days raking stones, mediating and helping the community, with only a robe to my name and happier than I have ever been.