Values and Needs

Interesting to contemplate what we need in life and what do we value at present. Is there a gap between our needs and our desires and where do both come from.
My desires are probably to a large extent picked up from what is going on around me, what others have or are doing, what is in the environment around me. Over time I think desires change, some with fashion others depending on the norms that I live in.

I feel we have focused almost exclusively on economic growth and development over the past ten to fifteen years to the exclusion of more basic values and needs.
To get our desired economic growth we have paid a large price which has taken a toll on community and family.

We need strong cohesive supportive communities and yet the impact of economic policies on community is seldom considered. If we are serious about the importance of community then we need to assess the impacts of our policies on community cohesion, development and survival.

What does it benefit a society if it gains economic wealth and looses community viability.

The effect of the focus on economic growth has also had an impact on family well being and stability. Is this impact considered in pursuing our economic goals.

Constant economic growth also has a major impact on environment, do we really need all the stuff we clutter our lives with ? more landfill.

We are probably all addicted to growth, and consumption at this stage and feel very hard done by this recession, even those of us who still have more than enough.

Perhaps we need to find our way forward to new values and new structures and new ways of living that will meet our need for family, community and sustainable environment.