practice voluntary simplicity

is that by the time we have moved into the house next spring, I’ll have gotten rid of so much stuff (see other goals!) that I will feel like I am “there” on the material side of this goal. I believe that living in an uncluttered space will greatly assist me in sensing simplicity in my life. This, I believe, will help me move on to the aspects of simplicity I haven’t yet addressed …

- strengthening my sense of community
- simplifying our finances
- strengthening my compassion and acting on it

Of course, I will also continue to put time and effort into maintaining the “ecological simplicity” and “soulful simplicity” facets of my life…

It seems like a lot to aim for, but if we only get one life then we’d be wise to live it in keeping with our beliefs. Otherwise, why even have values?

To me voluntary simplicity means spending less on “crap”. Do I need more jewelry? No. I’ll be taking my first step today by not using one of my flavoring Propel packets in my water. But I’m not cutting that out entirly. I’m just cutting it out a couple days a week. If I can’t handle plain water twice a week I’m not fit for the real world. Also I’ll cut back on tv. But I’ll still watch my classic television DVDs not for three hrs at a time or anything.

It is a wonderful thing to be self-sufficient, and less dependent on things and money. Developing a radically simple life, using less packaging, using less resources, spending less money, and you will help yourself, your community, and the environment. The only people you will not be helping are the corporations, especially if you buy locally and do not spend on foreign imports. If we all convert into this sort of lifestyle, the lifestyles of Jesus, Buddha, and other mystics, we can start to achieve enlightenment ourselves. Let us pray. It is definitely worth doing. I’ve been a simple liver for at least a year now and I wouldn’t think of it any other way. The cost of a thing is the amount of time you have to spend to acquire ti. Remember that while you ponder turning over to a voluntary simplistic lifestyle. Thank you.