6 Reasons to Change Your Definition of Awesome

We're awed by the wrong things.

Medieval cathedrals were built to inspire awe – toward God.  But palaces were built to encourage the same reaction, and most of us are much more susceptible to that.  After all, we can't aspire to be God, but we can sure wish for the power and wealth of a king.

And today we still worship at the temple of riches.  We may feel awe for the infinite, whether that means God or Nature.  The ocean, mountains, and stars can have the power to move us.  We might feel in touch with the Sublime when we're in a forest, watching a sunset, or even listening to a magnificent symphony.

But again and again, we return to that other, earthly cathedral.  We're awed by someone's car, wardrobe, or jewels.  We follow every move of someone who regularly appears on a red carpet.  And we imagine ourselves there too.  We're awed, but we also imagine that it could be us who inspires awe in others.

We want to be awesome.

Because of that, we look for attention, online or in real life.  We want to be influencers, so we seek followers.  We buy the watch, the handbag, or even the house because debt is unimportant, but inspiring awe means everything.

We even try to buy the awesome things that aren't made by human hands.  That might be why world travel to the most rare and exotic places is increasing, changing those places in the process as we require more infrastructure and amenities, and as we turn the people who live there into our service providers.  It might be why Everest has become a tourist attraction, and the government of Nepal issues more and more climbing passes to people who think they can buy themselves to the top.  It might be why space tourism is the next big thing.  When too many people can afford the jet and the ship and the box-seat season tickets, those who want to be awesome have to buy something rarer and more unattainable.

Of course we should applaud success.  People who develop their talents, work hard, and overcome obstacles deserve to be admired, even emulated.  But the worship of fame, wealth, and luxury is a defining characteristic of our society.

As minimalists, we have to decide if we're going to enter the competition for Most Awesome.  We have to choose what we'll be awed by.  Does our allegiance go to the stuff we can buy and display, or does it turn to the things that are truly worthy of awe – the things we can't make, and the things we probably shouldn't try to buy?

Why we should stop being awed by displays of wealth

1.  Wealth is often accidental.

Sometimes wealth is attained by good ideas, hard work, and discipline.  But often, riches are the result of inheritance, dishonesty, or luck.  Financial gain doesn't only accrue to those who earn it, and plenty of people toil and persevere and still don't "make it."

2.  Wealth can add anxiety and stress to our lives.

Yes, someone who's wealthy can do a lot of good in the world.  But increased possessions can also be a burden.  Every additional thing we own becomes one more thing to maintain, insure, and store.  We can wind up spending more time and energy paying and caring for all of our stuff, leaving less for more worthwhile pursuits.

And when you put your faith and hope in wealth, you'll always worry about losing it.  In our economy, wealth can sometimes evaporate overnight, and then what will sustain you?

3.  Wealth is harming our environment.

It's a well-known fact that the world's wealthiest nations create the most waste and pollution.  We use more resources per capita now than we did 50 years ago, in spite of the fact that we've made all of our gadgets and machines more efficient.  And the more stuff we long for and acquire, the greater this problem will become.

4.  Wealth might not be our best choice.

Author and businessman Harvey Mackay has said, "If you can afford a fancy car, you can make more of an impact driving an ordinary one."  When we're awed by wealth, we may not even consider less-extravagant options.  Yet there are better things to do with money than spend it on buying ourselves the costliest car, house, wardrobe, vacation, or technology.

5.  Wealth can make us ungrateful and unfulfilled.

It's impossible to find peace and contentment when we're always longing for more.  The short-lived high of acquiring something we want is followed by boredom, frustration, and envy of those who have more.  This is not a recipe for happiness.

6.  Wealth isn't the answer.

Everyone is looking for answers to questions like "What is the purpose of my life?" and "How can I find lasting happiness?"

These are profound questions, but the answer isn't "Owning as much stuff as possible."  As actor Jim Carrey has said, "I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer."

If the pursuit of stuff is where you direct your attention, it's hard to discover the activities that will really make life valuable.

Related article: How to Be Rich... Even If You Don't Have Much Money

The answer

We're awed by the wrong things.

Those who are wealthy are not necessarily those who are most satisfied.  Often, it's those who live simply, quietly, and in service to others who are the happiest.  And those are the choices that make the world a fairer, better place.

Let us all be awed by creation and the Creator, and learn to moderate our admiration for wealth and what it can buy.

Related article: Rich Minimalists in a Needy World