FOMCA together with its Partners – National Council of Women Organizations, Malaysian Youth Council and CUEPACS, in conjunction with the National Consumer campaign, 2008 – 2012, seek to call all Malaysian Consumers during the month of September to participate in “LIVING IN MODERATION” Month Campaign.

This Campaign seeks to encourage all Malaysian consumers, especially during the coming festive season, to live in moderation, and seek the deeper meaning of each of these celebrations.

Within the next 3 months, several religious celebrations will be held.  Much too often, these celebrations are opportunities for shopping and lavish spending on material possessions.  With the depressing global economy, and with that increasing fuel and food, prices, many families have been affected and thus forced to “celebrate” on a reduced scale.  

Much too often we forget what the real meaning of these religious events and allow materialism and consumerism to take the place of the deeper meaning of these events.  Yet all religions speak of moderation in living.  It is time to revisit these ideas.

Disraeli once said that,” Moderation is the center wherein all philosophies, both human and divine, meet.”

Restraint in consumption has indeed been recognized as a virtue throughout the ages by most religions, as is reflected in their texts and teachings:

In Hinduism
“When you have the golden gift of contentment, you have everything”.

In Islam
“It is difficult for a man laden with riches to climb the steep path that leads to bliss”.
“Riches are not from an abundance of worldly goods, but from a contented mind”

In Taoism
“He who knows he has enough is rich”.
“To take all one wants is never good as to stop when one should”

In Christianity
“Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed: a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions”.

In Confucianism
“Excess and deficiency are equally at fault”.

In Buddhism
“By the thirst for riches, the foolish man destroys himself as if he were his own enemy”
“Whoever in the world overcomes his selfish cravings, his sorrow fall away from him like drops of water from a lotus flower”.

Living in moderation means reducing wasteful expenditures and seeking joy and happiness through contentment, social and spiritual means.