I revisited a contribution I wrote last year and I think it even more relevant today. It read:

Easter this year was a revelation to me – in New Zealand Good Friday and Easter Sunday are two of the few days when most shops are prevented by legislation from opening. As the impact of large scale 24/7 shopping has become increasingly the norm it was like a step back in time when New Zealand had little weekend and “after hours” shopping. In fact, we Kiwis, were the butt of many as overseas tourists derided the great New Zealand weekend “shutdown” – my how all that has changed!

Whether it was me being reflective, ageing or whatever, I found pangs for a return to the times when “wall to wall shopping” and blatant consumerism wasn’t so much the imperative. To see people walking, exercising, relaxing as families over the Easter weekend made me see the merits of more time “out”.

We often have the audacity to look at pet mice in their cages running like hell on their toy wheels and going nowhere – if only we could see ourselves!

I lived in a rural setting for several years, miles from community services and shops – we went to town once a month to stock on groceries and complete the essentials. It was a frenetic day as we planned it like a military exercise; it was a day we never really enjoyed. Retreating to the simple life style was so appealing. As time progressed we found the need for processed foods lessened dramatically as many of our “needs” moderated.

Alas in returning to a career in town several years ago I found the changed circumstances saw the slow acceptance again of the consumer society – and here was me thinking I would never allow that to swallow me up again!

This year with Easter and the compulsory closure of all but minimal service industries saw me realise just how we become conditioned over time.

It happens in everything: we hear of the massive deforestation in the World, global warming, loss of wildlife species, habitat destruction, etc but we collectively and conveniently ignore it. The conditioning process has begun. In time it strips us of much of our individuality, our sense of values and proportion as we become putty in the hands of commercial enterprise and vested interests. In New Zealand, as in much of the World, shopping has become one of the leading leisure activities.

Yes Easter made me reflect – the joy of seeing whole families enjoying a day together and relaxing in a more natural environment made me think we are at times our own worst enemy.

It is time to take stock folks as we are all guilty to a greater or lesser extent. Once conditioned we allow others to “pull our strings” and that is a frightening thought – we become pawns in a much bigger “game”!