What do you value most: The Presence or The Present?
@TheInvisibleMan (17597)
December 29, 2016 10:20pm CST
We live in an extremely materialistic world (which I consider one of the most serious problems of our time), and I believe that all of you should agree with that... But, how far does this capitalism go?
I believe everyone likes to get presents (this makes us feel special.), but... Are they more important than the people you really like/love? Can an object be more important than the presence of people who are indispensable to you?
I decided to ask you this because I saw a not-so-pleasant scene in a mall where a teenager would say to her mother: "You don't have to go to the New Year party... I just want my present."
I wanted to teach the girl a lesson... 
(but I respect all opinions, just to make it clear 
).
(but I respect all opinions, just to make it clear ).14 people like this
13 responses
@allknowing (136541)
• India
30 Dec 16
Presence and not presents is what is written on invitations here, these days. Having said that I neither want presents nor presence unless they have some element of feelings for me.
1 person likes this
@pumpkinjam (8767)
• United Kingdom
3 Jan 17
Dude, if that was my teenager, they would be having no presents or party! But then my kids wouldn't act like that.
Presents are nice but I prefer presence of the people I love. Although, if presence is not possible for some reason, it is nice to receive something to show that they're thinking of you. There are also people from whom I'd rather just receive a present than actually have to share a space with them!
But I do agree that people are materialistic. I don't think an object should be more important than the people who are important to you. I'm sure some people believe it can be, though. For me, I would give up any non-essential item if it meant I could spend time with my partner and my children, and getting to know his children and grandchildren.
@crossbones27 (49460)
• Mojave, California
31 Dec 16
Our leaders are setting poor examples. I do not see this problem ever going away with the mindset they instill in us from early on. Capitalizing on everything is a must and if you do not they tell you are a loser.
@amandajay (23264)
• New Zealand
31 Dec 16
Haha lol... Thats how the kids are... You will realize it in future may be... They dont think much before they speak... Calm down.
And what you think about Presence with a Present....lol... I think that would be nice....lol
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
30 Dec 16
To me both are important. But in order of priority, it will be family, off course!
@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
30 Dec 16
Presents are just "stuff". Here today, gone tomorrow. People are the same way, but people are to be treasured so much more than "stuff". When someone you love deeply goes home to God, you can't get them back. You can't go to the store and buy a new person. And so many people don't realize that until it's too late.
@MissNikki (5237)
• Maple Ridge, British Columbia
30 Dec 16
It's hard to witness situations like that and not be able to do anything about it.
The only thing we can control is ourselves. Yes, I also agree people are more important than objects.
@deepaworld (420)
• Pune, India
30 Dec 16
I love getting presents.But whats its use in absence of the person giving it.So i feel,presence is most important for me
@oracle1ac (352)
•
30 Dec 16
i think the presence of the person is more important than the present because it is the thought behind the action that really matters to me, am not a materialist so a lot of things that border people don't mean anything to me
