Does our love of retail therapy hide our inability to give of ourselves and be there for someone else?

Do we now give things rather than of our time and consideration and when we give a gift (any purchase) do we feel it absolves us of giving emotionally?

In a culture of buying to fill a need or lack in us are we just covering up the emptiness inside?

I grew up in an Ireland where you did someone a favour to show you cared – now you give gifts. You kept an eye on those vulnerable or in need without wanting anything in return. It was just the way of things.

Nowadays it seems the more consumerism booms, the more we disconnect from one another. Giving doesn’t require effort, it only requires us to show up. To be there. It doesn’t come with a burden. We don’t need to carry or fix anything. It’s in that place that the gift is given and returned many times.

When we give stuff, we give from the head, when we give someone our full attention it’s a gift from the heart.