Less is More – Embracing Simplicity . . .
Authors: Cecile Andrews, Wanda Urbanska & Other Contributors
Simplicity – a recent phenomenon or fad? A predictable response to our current society’s propensity to “cram 10 pounds of shit into a 5 pound bag” (as my friend Matt so eloquently puts it)? Or, is a return to values that have been espoused for centuries?
- “Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.” - Thoreau
- “In order to seek one’s own direction, one must simplify the mechanics of ordinary, everyday life.” – Plato
Some Excerpts:
- “Simplicity is a lighter lifestyle that fits elegantly into the real world of the 21st century.”
- “Simplicity blossoms in community and connects us to the world with a sense of belonging and common purpose.”
- “If you use throwaway cups every morning for your coffee, after 20 years, you’ve contributed over 7,000 cups to the landfill . . . If I don’t have my travel mug when I’m out, I don’t deserve coffee.”
- “Simple Living’s four tenets – environmental steward-ship, thoughtful consumption, community involvement and financial responsibility.”
- “Ultimately, Simplicity is asking yourself: “How do I really want to live? What truly makes me happy? What are my actions doing to the planet? How does my lifestyle contribute to the greater good? Ultimately Simplicity is about knowing who you are, being clear about your values, understanding what brings true well-being. . . . it’s about discernment and deliberation.”
Less is More asks great questions and delivers thoughtful, practical considerations and perspectives from credentialed thought leaders that guide the reader on a journey of personal fulfilment through Simplicity and Sustainability. There is an inner wealth to be mined from the time spent with this book. Nearly every page contains a “quotable” worthy of additional thoughtful reflection.
Some links:
Wasting Away
Have you seen the garbage cans lining the street on garbage pick-up day? I’m always amazed by the sheer magnitude of what we throw away; much of it being packaging and wrappers. It’s not just packaging and wrappers, but food – lots of it. A big proportion of it is sent down the garburator, but it makes its way into the landfill as well. Ever eat at Cheesecake Factory? I’m not sure I know of anyone who can finish a meal there. I think they must fill two dumpsters a night with the leftovers scrapped off people’s plates. When you stop and think about everything that is required to bring that food to the table, it’s astonishing. The fields need plowing, the greenhouses irrigated, fertilizer dispersed, trucks to distribute, and the labour required to complete the process – and then we scoop it into the dumpster. Wow!
As we get older we tend to reflect on the values we were taught as children. I remember my mom saving every worn-out shirt and pair of pants I ever had – and she would cut the less worn pieces into attractive shapes using a cardboard template she had, and over the course of a few days she’d make a “new” quilt or blanket. My dad was a mechanic – he never went to Canadian Tire to buy shop rags – he used pieces of worn out towels or facecloths, rather than discarding those. Very little went into the garbage.
With the world population continuing to grow, and more and more talk of how humans are destroying the planet, I can’t help but think that some of the habits of yesteryear may help. If we reused more and made a point of buying products with minimal packaging, perhaps it would make a difference. If we don’t do this then the ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’ will continue to grow. If you haven’t heard of it, you’ll be amazed (and disgusted). Check out this article or try Google – you won’t believe how many articles will pop up in response to your query.
Get Rid of It
Over the last few years I have become quite interested in minimalist living – which is to say that while it is something I strive for, I’m not even close. You know what I mean – 3 children still living at home for the most part; kids have friends, and like many of you we’d prefer that our kids and their friends be at our house watching a movie or hanging out as opposed to the alternative. I have made some attempts at downsizing in the past, but there is always a lot of stuff that falls into the category of “I might need this someday . . .”
What inspires me most is thoughtful articles like the one I’ve posted below; it caused me to say to Coral, “We need to refocus on our goal of minimalist living”. Huge thanks to Matt for sharing this piece by Robert Ringer, which really puts into perspective the absurdity of keeping “stuff.”
Click here to read the article and in future I’ll be posting more of the same. I’d love it if you’d share your comments and perspectives.