North American consumption has an obsession with convenience. For a little less labour and a little saved time, people sacrifice the environment and a lot more money. Brooms and mops are being replaced by disposable magnetic or pre-soaped attachments. Facial washes are now facial wipes. Even your standard dental floss is now a disposable clip on. The consequences of our desire for material conveniences is bad enough, but there is a deeper implication. An implication that deals with our how we live our lives. If buying these items reflect our current attitude and priorities (time and convenience), do these priorities apply in other aspects of life? Do we have a disposable lifestyle?
Take marriage for example. My parents -- no matter how many times they argue, sulk or swear -- would never have a divorce. But I'm sure they've thought about it. Go back to my grandparents and I'd bet they didn't even think of it. Today, fifty percent of marriages turn out in divorce. Celebrities marry for publicity, professionals for prestige and blue collars for benefit. Marriage doesn't seem like a sacred institution any longer, it's simply a convenience. It's easy (unless you're gay) and you get many conveniences from it. Once you've abused it for all it's worth, you dispose it and look again.
I could talk about other conveniences. I could talk about disposable religions, jobs and friendships , but that would take work and frankly that's not very convenient for me! I think society should realize that the easy-peasy way, although it may be good in the short run, doesn't hold out in the distance. There's something about hardwork, persistence and holding on that builds character and maturity. One could probably mix in the old adage, if it's too good to be true, it probably is.
