Oh, how we all love to read story about the down-on-their-luck family, who crafted a Christmas tree out of toilet paper tubes and gave out oranges to the kids as presents. Ever notice how those heart-warming stories are always set in the distant past? We’re living in a time of high unemployment and the worst economy in decades, yet, I was in the malls at holiday time and no one was buying oranges.

Newsweek had a cover story recently: . It went on to talk about the urge to splurge. Unlike The New Deal, The New Austerity never caught on.  One woman was quoted as saying: “If I can’t spend I’m not living.” Well, she’s spending, and living… with her parents.

What does it mean to live a life worth living? Super-star Pastor, created a franchise with a series of books, all with one terrific title: He outlines a plan to find your personal purpose in just 40 days. There’s a whole lot of biblical babble in the book, and I’m going to save you from going through it. Here’s my 40 second answer to living a life of purpose.

Your purpose is to touch the lives of others with kindness, consideration and love. And I’ll just bet, even the woman who won’t stop spending, could figure out a way to be kind, considerate and loving, to at least one other person. And it doesn’t cost any money.

Most of us do have an urge to splurge, but if you can rid yourself of the notion that money is the currency for indulgence, you’ll be able to give in to the urges that are far more satisfying to the soul. Come on, let me hear the sarcasm you’re feeling right now. Start pitching the one-liners we’ve been raised on:

I've been rich and I've been poor. Rich is better.
Money talks, bullsh#t walks.
It’s just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor one.
All I ask is a chance to prove that money can't make me happy.
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. (LOL - This one might be true!)

But seriously, we all know, beyond our basic needs, we have enough clothes, electronics and entertainment. We can cut back. The gift-giving season is behind us, and the New Year is here with promise of fresh starts. There is no greater purpose for us to serve, than the purpose of being frugal with our money (or lack thereof) and indulgent with our kindness, consideration and love for others.

I make myself believe
that a handbag will suffice,
but You know it never does.

Instead let's go shopping together,
You and I.
Only instead of shoes,
I'll look for hope,
purchase forgiveness,
pursue restraint.

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