Compact Karma

“Compact Karma”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070103/ap_on_re_us/shopping_sabbatical

A group of environmentally conscious, extremely resourceful and admirable of Sanfransiscans (word) did something that most people would deem impossible. They went the entire year of 2006 without purchasing anything NEW. Can you believe that? They bartered, begged, and got by with what they could.
They did purchase food and essential toiletries like toothpaste and shampoo, underwear and other purchases that fell under the categories of health and safety. Even so, what they did I find amazing in this day and age of consumption and complex lifestyles. It is hard to take the extra time and effort for an individual to go around and figure out how to get stuff.
We’re taught as JAINS to simplify and detach ourselves from objects and such, but I know I find this extremely difficult and I know many others do as well. I just bought a PSP and I’ve been busy trying to accessorize, with cases, games, movies, memory sticks and software.
Non-possession and non-possessiveness is one of the 5 vows, but I feel it is one of the hardest to follow, regardless of if you live in India, the UK, or the USA. It’s more than just peer pressure and keeping up with what our friends have; it’s a way to enjoy life in a not so simple way.
Anyone have any thoughts?