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KiwiTek |
Posted: 26 November 2012 - 04:00 PM
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Phoenix Special Agent
Posts: 4,092
Joined: 28 Nov 2003
Gender: Male
Country: NZ
SAK owned: Tinker
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Season: season 3
Episode:Runners
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket: Brown bomber
House: House boat
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One aspect of MacGyver which came through quite strongly was that he lived lightly as far as material possessions go. He went for functionality rather than owning stuff for the sake of it. He had a TV which suited his needs rather than the latest and greatest giant flat screen. He brought clothes because he needed them, rather than because he wanted them. He drove a jeep which was functional and did the job, rather than a flash car which he didn't need. All these things are aspects which, now more than ever, we should be taking on board with our own lives. It seems that most western countries have a decreasing employment rate and an increasing unemployment rate as we strive to do things more efficiently with less people and with this decrease in jobs comes the increase in need to live on less. The key to doing this is to live functionally rather than materially and MacGyver was the master at doing this. Repair things if you can, only buy things you really need. Reuse items where you can. These are all ideas which take us back to a more basic and may I add, more relaxed and stress free way of living. I myself went through a spate of materialism as I worked through a high paying contract which allowed me to be quite materialistic. Now that the contract has finished I'm back on a low income as I look for new work, I find myself reverting back to the simple basic things in life. Food on the table, clothes on my back and only buying something if I need it. And to be honest, I think this simple approach gives you a more enjoyable and relaxed life-style. Here's some great ideas on how to re-use items around your home. 25 Ways To Reuse Everyday Items Recycling guide49 Creative Reuse Ideas That Will Inspire & Surprise You
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Wheeljack |
Posted: 25 December 2012 - 01:39 PM
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DXS Agent
Posts: 485
Joined: 11 Nov 2010
Gender: Male
Country: IL, United States
SAK owned: Adventurer
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Season: season 4
Episode:Gold Rush, Invisible Killer
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket: Brown bomber
House: House boat
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QUOTE (KiwiTek @ 27 November 2012 - 12:03 PM) | One aspect of MacGyver which came through quite strongly was that he lived lightly as far as material possessions go. He went for functionality rather than owning stuff for the sake of it. |
Ha! It seems few can relate to this, KiwiTek. I can though, but I've long noticed I seem to be a tiny minority. I don't own anything just to own it, each thing has a purpose and use, and if it does not, then it has to go. I really hate stuff sitting around that I don't use, be it big or small. To me it's either wasted space, in the way, or could be turned into money to buy things I really will use. Even the few number things that I collect has some purpose, and none of it's just for the sake of having it on a shelf.
When people move they normally go through their belongings and toss a lot of stuff, but this has never been the case with me. I suppose that says my mind might be wired up a little differently than the norm, but hey. lol I'm perfectly happy with not having lots of junk around.
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Wheeljack |
Posted: 25 December 2012 - 08:48 PM
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DXS Agent
Posts: 485
Joined: 11 Nov 2010
Gender: Male
Country: IL, United States
SAK owned: Adventurer
Favorites
Season: season 4
Episode:Gold Rush, Invisible Killer
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket: Brown bomber
House: House boat
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I do keep some things for sentimental value - letters, notes, items that belonged to people I care about, toys I've had since I was a little kid. Examples of what I won't keep lying around are like an extra vacuum cleaner, an old bbq grill, tools i don't use, crappy vacation souvenirs, etc. Have you ever went past a pile of furniture and trash set by a curb and wondered why someone would've been keeping such junk to begin with? Same thing at garage sales and thrift stores, I look at a lot of that garbage and think good grief, Charlie Brown. So much junk a sensible person would have never purchased in the first place.
Seeing stores and everything closed for Christmas today got me thinking. What would happen if we had more days out of a year where everything shut down? I wonder if this would help shake people out of the need to always be out buying silly, throw away, materialistic junk, and get them thinking about more important things.
I had to work today, on Christmas. I watched people coming and going and wondered would it really be that hard to get by a single day without that pack of pop, that case of beer, that frozen pizza? Couldn't they have just planned ahead and stayed home today, spent that time with people they care about, kicked back and relaxed and just enjoyed a peaceful day of the world doing nothing?
No, I guess not. Consumers must consume, and money must be made at all times.
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