live more simply

should be closer than retirement – I’m now working on earning only what we need, spending less and living more simply. I need to cut down on my travelling – I drive across the country regularly for one of the projects I’m working on, but it is a really worthwhile project, putting computers into socially excluded families.

I was looking at this goal and asking myself, what more could I do to live more simply? I can’t think of anything. This is kind of one of those work toward goals seasons of life and I’m living very simply right now. I’ve gotten rid of a great deal of excess stuff and I keep a lookout for anymore that I can do. I think I can safely check this one off. =0)

On new years eve of 2005 I unplugged my television. The first week of 2006 I went thru all of my posessions and “downsized” an entire truck load of stuff to the donation bin at Goodwill. (including that TV)
I let go of all the clutter in my life. “Did I wear this in the last year?” “Did I use this in the last year?” “Do I have plans to use it in the next year?” I also took a truckload of things to the dump that were not worth donating.
I am now working on the other half of it. The material objects were somewhat easy, but now I am looking at my attitudes and the judgements that I have made. One question I ask myself… “What is the primary spiritual purpose of…” and I analyze my angers, my friendships, my relationships, my attitudes, etc.
One benefit is that I now have an “extra” 3 hours a day. I use it to play music, record in my studio, build my drums… and I am working on an instructional book for my handdrum students.
This is an on-going goal. But already it has been a positive change.
It’s far from over!

Got rid of alot of things in the last three weeks thru Freecycle.

Yippie, If anyone wants to live more simply and recycle they should checked out Freecycle.org . It is a way to post things that you dont want anymore and give it away to someone who could use it. Less stuff going into the landfills and a way to make two people happy, the giver and the receiver! Check it out! LIVE MORE SIMPLY!!

Yeah. That’s the ticket!

Slimming down even further was so worth it. Got rid of more books, down to about 30 books now. I donated about 25 books to the library so now I do not have to worry about them. I got rid of parts of my wardrobe and donated it to Goodwill. I am seeing how far I can take this before I own nothing. Well, maybe my laptop and a couple of outfits. The things you own own you. I will never forget that quote. The more I get rid of, the freer I feel. I even bought a minimalist wallet called the Jimi. I will most likely be able to survive on half my income and live comfortably as long as I remain simple. Good luck to everyone.

So I sent some more stuff, I think it was yesterday. I feel really very good about this. I have seriously gotten rid of a lot of stuff in the recent months. I don’t think I’m done with this yet either.

and it feels good. =0) I just went through some of my college class materials and found that I didn’t really need to be keeping much of it. I love getting rid of stuff that’s just taking up space.

I’ve got another load ready to drop off. If you think about it, the Christmas season is a fairly good time to do a little cutting down on the amount you own. 1) to make room for the new 2) it helps you see things that it would be really beneficial to ask for, replacements of stuff or upgrades. =0)

Simplify Simplify Simplify
Do I NEED that (book, game, candy bar, cat)?
What can I donate/trash that I no longer LOVE?
How can I DO less, but LIVE more?