One of the primary characteristics of all hoarding addicts is a tendency to make life a materialistic affair, one in which we focus mostly on getting what we don’t yet have (see picture) as opposed to being grateful for the things we do …

… and when we do decide to “give”, we only reach out with things. Instead of some gentle eye-contact and a few Caring words, we offer the homeless “bum” a few coins and walk away. Instead of taking the time to open our selves to our Loved Ones during our “overly busy” days, we wait until Christmas or a birthday and buy them a snazzy present.

Your ego may have you superficially believing that these are acts of generosity, and yet in reality, they are just thickening the bars on your prison’s cell.

“It is the preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from living freely and nobly.” ~ Bertrand Russell