The Things We Own

I was watching Fight Club the other day, and Brad Pitt had a line from the movie that I started thinking about a lot:

"The Things We Own.End Up Owning Us"

Even though I had seen the movie a couple times, I had to rewind that once or twice. I know this girl who is very materialistic. I don't think she knows it, but all she does is spend money on things she doesn't need. Now I'm not judging her on the fact that she likes to spend the money she earned on things that make her happy. I just take notice on the stress it causes her. So because of all the payments in her life.she is now obligated to work for the things that she bought. It's like an invisible cloud hovering over her head that reminds her she has yet another obligation to take care of. In turn I'm sure that places more responsibility on shoulders that already have responsibility placed on them. But what about the idea that Brad Pitts character in the movie has about life. That only when we let go, can we truly be happy. That when we rid ourselves of materialistic needs and attatchments.that then we can be at peace. Well I don't agree completely, but I see truth in both. It reminds me of my cousin in Hawaii. He used to live in Chicago. He used to work at a prestigious Real Estate company, and had a great position. He easily made 100,000 a year. He had nice cars, a nice house, all the clothes one could want, and had every thing his materialistic heart desired. But he was miserable inside. So wut did he do? He moved to Hawaii w/ his wife. He works at a corner store for some of the afternoons, and you can find him most mornings and nights surfing. He has very little compared to what he had.but he is happy. His life is that much more simple. But I wonder if the change of scenary has a lot to do with it. The fact that he lives in a relaxed environment as opposed to a hectic big city may have something to do with it. Me on the other hand, I am going through just that. I live in New York. I live in Manhattan. I see people around me who have things that I want. In order to fit in.I have to conform to some degree. But sometimes I think that I would be that much happier living more simply. The battle between the heart and the mind can be a battle that lasts a lifetime. If your heart is telling you one thing, and your mind another you have a dilhemma on your hands. I think most people go through that. That's why most of us walk around confused about life. Why sometimes we get depressed and we do not know the reason for the depression. All I can say is I found something I love doing in music. That is my outlet. That is what I use to deal with the stress, confusion, and depression. What is your outlet?

Do you believe?