by L.S. Watts

Created on: May 16, 2009   Last Updated: September 15, 2009

People have different views of exactly what "need" means. We live in such a materialistic world that the line between need and want becomes blurred.

Once upon a time, need was simply having food in our bellies, clothing to protect us from the elements, and shelter from whatever nature throws our way. This is a time before money and the illusion of needing more influenced society. Now most people have more bills than they can afford. They compete to have more than their neighbor does. In turn they tend to work longer and harder, yet still feel tired and empty in the end. Many times they try to convince themselves that they are providing a better life for themselves and their families, but they don't have time to enjoy what they have accumulated. So what is the point of competing for more material wealth?

It is more difficult to survive in the 21st century that it was a couple of hundred years ago. Life was fairly simple then. As money became increasingly more important and well meaning inventors began inventing ways to "make life easier", life began to get more complicated. Although it is nice to have things such as electricity, telephones, televisions, and more, we shouldn't have to need these things to survive. Humanity survived long before these things came about. Now you can't cook without utilities, not to mention Child Protective Services would swoop in to confiscate your children if you didn't have utilities. I guess this means our ancestors were bad parents.

Food is another issue. We used to grow our own foods and hunt for meat. Now people are so reliant upon grocery stores. Growing your own food is much cheaper than your grocery bill; it's healthier too. I was saddened recently to find out that even the government has the right to determine how our food is grown. With the FDA requiring more additives, chemicals, and hormones to be added to our food supply, it is no wonder why there is an increase in illness and disease. We are getting to an age where the simple needs in life are more complicated to achieve. This makes my heart heavy with despair. I wonder what is in store for future generations. Our basic needs are being replaced by a modern society's illusion of what is necessary.

Today it appears that one's self worth is based upon how much you own not by who you are as individual. Stop and think for a moment. Is your new high-tech phone or big, flat-screen television more important than your family or humanity in general? Upon your death there will

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