"Look at every path closely and deliberately, then ask ourselves this crucial question: Does this path have a heart? If it does, then the path is good. If it doesn't, it is of no use."--Carlos Castaneda
Great opener, right?
Now that I have you lulled into a false sense of security..
STOP BUYING SO MUCH STUFF!!
Honestly, do you really need it?
It sickens me that our culture is based on consumption. We eat, drink, talk, drive, shop and drink too much. Obesity is preventable. Debt is mostly preventable. What happened to accountability? Ever watch a talk show? Ok, it was for research purposes ONLY, I swear.
Nothing is any one's fault. They have a condition, mental disorder, drug problem, they're abusive mother screwed them up or the devil made them do it. No one drops their head in shame and exclaims "I'm a weak, easily seduced moron with no self control!"
Now you can come out from behind your chair. The mad rant is over.. for now.
I have embraced minimalism most of my life. Granted, as a member of the Raven tribe I love my shiny objects and tasty bites now and again. But my home is small, I have one TV, computer, stereo, microwave and a rapidly declining collection of dishes. (They break) And a car that's paid for.
It was never my ambition to become rich and famous. Comfortable and notorious, yes, but not at the expense of other beings. How did we, as a culture grow into a bunch of stupid, mean, selfish and lazy bullies? Who's guiding this ship of insane consumerism? Why are so many people on board? Are we that insecure in our own self worth that we need to base it on the stuff we own? Instead of beautifying our souls and loving our fellow beings. {Hey, vegetarian friends. I do love all beings. Some of them are down right delicious!}
Alright, enough teasing. Vegetarians are great people.
Now, what was I talking about before I was so rudely interrupted by my evil twin? Oh, yes..
STOP BUYING SO MUCH STUFF!
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. Ralph Waldo Emerson
I like to challenge myself on how little I spend. I go "treasure hunting" with my son. We each have a certain amount of money that we can spend. Then we go to second hand stores and try to find a "treasure" for under that amount. In a local, green paper, I read about a great idea. During the depression some one's grandparents came up with a beautiful, free and entertaining game. Air castles. One would start out the wishful thinking story and each would take turns building on it. Sounds like a great campfire or coffee table game. What a lovely way for people to interact and get to know each other.
It might be a good way to find out if someone you know might be a psychotic, serial killer.
Back in the closet, evil twin! I have a serious blog to write..
"Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value." Albert Einstein
Not everything has to cost money. Do you really need to have the latest, most expensive THING? Reduce, Reuse and Recycle isn't just a catchy slogan to slap on your SUV.
Lets start with getting out and seeing this beautiful country. Don't forget to carpool and drive the speed limit.
I LOVE these ideas!! What ever happened to the bloc party?
Alright, the theme of this blog is consuming less. There are people in the world that live on less than $2.00 a day. Can you imagine that!? Now I know there are people who think they need to live surrounded by stuff and things. Electronics, clothes, cars, and other things. I knew someone who lost their job and had to economize. I told him to cut a lot of things I thought were unnecessary, like his expensive cell phone, extended cable, and a few other services that were just draining his bank account. He told me that living like a monk might be good enough for me but not him. The man loved his things.
I prefer living things, beautiful places, and the time to enjoy them. Simple pleasures are usually the best.
Then, there are simple solutions that don't cost much and reuse things you might not think to reuse.
Make a game out of being cheap and it becomes habit. Now I'm not advocating living like a monk all of the time. I love treating myself to fine chocolate, a fun pair of shoes or a glass of single malt whiskey. My dad always taught me the importance of what he called mad money.
Being frugal and stepping lightly on the earth is not something only poor people do. Why is greed, gluttony, sloth, vanity, lust, anger and envy encouraged and pandered to? Aren't these the seven deadly sins for a reason? Is this a flashback to Sodom and Gomorrah? Don't we humans learn from past mistakes? I guess not.
Keep consuming like locusts until there is nothing left.
Remember this!? Getting pretty close to reality. I'm scared.
Another scary, future. Written in 1932! Emotionless, drugged up, uber consumers who have meaningless sex. Hmm..
I don't want a future like this. I want one where we explore our inner worlds and realize we're all connected. We're all family.
