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All the talk currently is about being mindful of how we spend. The word is doom and gloom and we must tighten our purse strings, etc. This philosophy of not being wasteful is nothing new, as my parents and grandparents always taught us about being mindful of what we have and not being wasteful.

My Granny Stubbs always quoted to me, "A fool and his money are soon departed." So I am surprised that people have allowed themselves to become so mindless and wasteful. Now, when it looks like the well will run dry, we are being cautious ... well I guess "better late than never!"

We have so much in Bermuda and don't seem to realize it. I drive by The Barn and Salvation Army Thrift Shop just about every evening and all I see are loads of trash bags filled with clothing that has been left by people seeking to give to charity, albeit, they leave the clothing there, outside the doors, I supposed dropping them off after hours, only to be ransacked by unscrupulous persons or destroyed by the rain.

I don't understand why the bags are continuously left as after the thieves and the rain get to them, they are only good to be thrown out, giving the thrift shop workers that much more work to do and not benefiting anyone, except the giver, as they have been able to unload, in a way, using the thrift shops as a dumping ground - not good.

A system needs to be devised whereby donations can be left without them being stolen or damaged. Any suggestions anyone?

Wasteful

Extravagance is not a good thing. Have we produced a society, which believes and practices a wasteful or extravagant life-style and considers it their right to 'use' because they 'have' it. This is in total contrast to Islam, which teaches modesty, simplicity and frugality.

Allah, our Merciful, All-Compassionate Creator desires thanks in return for the bounties He bestows on mankind, while wastefulness is contrary to thanks, and slights the bounty and causes loss. Frugality, however, shows respect for the bounty and is profitable. Yes, frugality is both a sort of thanks, and shows respect towards the Divine mercy manifested in the bounties, and most definitely is the cause of plenty.

Excess and wastefulness lead to greed, and greed does not have good consequences. Excess and wastefulness leads to lack of contentment. And lack of contentment destroys enthusiasm for work; it causes laziness, opens the door to complaining about life, and makes the dissatisfied person complain continuously, never having enough, never feeling a sense of satisfaction and contentment. A miserable existence indeed.

In these times of economic uncertainty, let us reflect on what we have, always giving thanks, whilst nourishing and reviving our common values.

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