Attachment to things is one of the most unattractive qualities.
These are the kind of people that if you ask to borrow something of theirs they are completely hesitant to let you do so. They probably won’t let you use it and if they do they will give you many warnings and rules for use.
On the one hand, this is completely fine. It is their possession and they are free to do what they would like with it. There’s nothing that forces them to let other people borrow it.
However, just because it’s fine doesn’t mean it’s an attractive quality. People often say things to the effect of “people are more important that things,” but it seems they don’t actually believe it. They are much more concerned about the well being of their thing than they are about the well being of their friend or neighbor in need.
The people that I respect most are people who have unequivocally given ownership of their things for the use of others. The truth is, sometimes you do get taken advantage of. Sometimes people don’t return the things they borrow in the way they got them. But is that more important in the scheme of things than helping out a neighbor?
Of course if someone continually uses your stuff and brings it back broken it becomes wise to be up-front and tell this person rules that you have for using it, but otherwise, what would happen if everyone not only was willing to let others use their things but volunteered it.
Before you freak out, I’m not talking about socialism.
I’m not talking about everyone sharing a community of things or people being forced to share. I’m thinking a community of people who are willing to serve those around them and want to see everyone thrive. Some people don’t want to and they by nature won’t get as much help, but for those who want to grow as a community, what if they sought out ways to help and encourage each other?
I believe the world would be a different place.