Thankfulness: A Love Story (Part 5)

And yes, you can be thankful, and content, and still have goals for bettering yourself and your life.  Being contented doesn't mean you're complacent.  Making yourself better is going to increase your attitude of gratitude.

Strive for your goals - and - continue to be grateful for what you already have.

I just finished another semester of continuing education courses.  Yet again, the experience was enriching in so many ways.  I truly believe that learning should be a life-long experience.  Wikipedia defines lifelong learning as the ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. Therefore, it not only enhances social inclusion, active citizenship and personal development, but also competitiveness and employability.    

The effects of lifelong learning as we get older offer even more benefits - whether it’s learning how to dance, speak a foreign language, write a newsletter, improve your golf swing, or repair your car - for adults 50-plus it:

• Keeps your mind sharp
• Improves memory
• Increases self-confidence
• Saves money as you learn to “do it yourself”
• Gives you a feeling of accomplishment
• Helps you meet people who share your interests
• Builds on skills you already have
• Gives you a new interest that you can share with family and friends   

  "You learn something every day if you pay attention."  - Ray LeBlond

And, during this holiday season, realize that family traditions also offer wonderful opportunities for learning.  Practices that incorporate expressing gratitude, journaling about our blessings, thoughtful gift giving (not blatant consumerism), and random acts of kindness.  These provide family members of all ages - young and old - a chance to learn from one another, and express their gratitude not only to each other, but to the wider community, and world.

I'm incredibly grateful for the countless opportunities to learn. There's still so much out there that I don't know. Lifelong learning truly is a gift.

"Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can and there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did."  - Sarah Caldwell
 

Thankfulness: A Love Story (Part 4)

Here are more  - and some surprising - things to be thankful for.

Second Chances - If you’ve ever forgiven or been forgiven, you know there’s nothing more encouraging, freeing and beautiful than second chances. It’s never too late to reconcile or redeem. 

Love - For letting you feel what it means to truly be alive.

Laughter - For its wonderful sound, and for helping you forget your worries, if even for a moment.

Life - For giving you the chance to experience all that you’re experiencing.

Travel - Be grateful for your freedom to explore, experience and learn from others on this diverse and fascinating planet. 

Food -  If you have food on your table, be thankful for it. Not everyone is as fortunate as you are. 

Tears – For helping you express your deepest emotions.

Fears – So you know your opportunities for growth. 

Heartbreaks - For helping you mature and become a better person.

Mistakes - Be thankful for the hard times, the mistakes, and the pain. They’ve made you stronger, smarter, and can reassure you that you’ll survive the next one too. 

Kind strangers – For brightening up your day when you least expect it.

You - For being who you are and touching the world with your presence.  Thank you!

And if none that that resonates with you, here's one final thought...

"If you haven’t all the things you want, 
be grateful for the things you don’t have 
that you wouldn’t want." - Unknown

Thankfulness: A Love Story (Part 3)

Not sure where to begin?  Start with the easy ones.

Your Health - Be thankful for what you have. 

Your Senses - They allow you to enjoy all the beautiful sights, sounds, tastes and smells of this world.  Your life experiencewould be dramatically reduced without them.

Your Family - This relationship is often complicated and challenging.  Good or bad, they helped make you into the person you are today.  Show your thanks.

Your Friends - In our modern world, this likely is your "real" family.  They're the ones that know you best of all and share in your laughter and tears.  Be sincere, dependable, and a good listener.

Your Enemies - For uncovering your faults, and opening your eyes to ways you can be a better person.

Your Teachers - Let them know that you appreciate their dedication and the knowledge they pass down to you.  Remember, they're not doing it for the money, they're doing it because they care.

Your Community - Be thankful for these people that brighten your day - the neighbors, barista, bus driver, whomever.   Smile, let them know you appreciate them, and wish them a nice day.

Your Freedom - America's not perfect, but it certainly does have it's perks (especially for women and minorities).  Don't take it for granted.  Be thankful for your democratic priviledges - vote and make your voice heard about issues that matter to you.

Nature - For all of its beauty, inspiration, and healing power.

Technology - For making the imposible, possible, and our lives easier (sometimes).

Your Job - Whether it's your dream job or just a paycheck, hopefully it gives you a means by which to add value to the world.

Your Mind - For the ability to think, create, and store memories.

"If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation,
you will discover that your life will
suddenly be filled with gratitude,
a feeling that nurtures the soul."
- Rabbi Harold Kushner
in the essay "God's Fingerprints on the Soul"

Thankfulness: A Love Story (Part 2)

grat·i·tude (n): the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful

After returning from a wonderful holiday getaway with friends - camping, feasting and hiking on the Central California coast - I want to revisit the topic of thankfulness and it's power.

People with a strong sense of gratitude, love and appreciation don't necessarily have more than others.  They aren't "luckier". They simply recognize and see more beauty in their lives.

Gratitude attracts what we want.  It's the universal law of attraction at work. When you're consciously aware of your blessings, and are grateful for them, you're focusing more clearly on what you do want in your life - and are attracting more of those things into your life.

Gratitude reduces negativity.  It's hard to be negative about your situation when you're thinking about things you're grateful for. One of the fastest ways to improve your mood is to count your blessings.

Gratitude improves problem solving skills. Too often we look at problem solving with a "something is wrong" mindset. Then, we have to put in effort to fix it. Conversely, when we think about what we're grateful for we open our minds to new possibilities. We also enter a problem solving situation with a perspective of improvement and opportunity rather than challenge.

Gratitude improves relationships. A little "thank you" goes a long way.  Make people feel special and appreciated.  Be grateful for people, their contributions, their talents and their actions.
  
Gratitude helps us learn. Behind every problem lies an opportunity. Being grateful for our situation - even if we don't like everything about it - allows us to be thankful for the opportunity to learn something new.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance,
chaos to order, confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast,
a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow."
- Melody Beattie,
Quoted in "Simple Abundance", by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thankfulness: A Love Story (Part 1)

thank·ful (adjective):  feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative.

I love this time of year.  Fall, especially in San Francisco, is typically fantastic.  The air is crisp, but warm; the subtlety of the season shows itself in the golden carpet of fallen leaves on the sidewalks;  and all those delicious root vegetables at the farmer's market...  don't get me started!  It's a time of year when I somehow naturally feel full of gratitude.  Though many share my sentiment, this time also brings stresses for some of the impending holiday shopping to be done, or loneliness.  

If you're in the second camp, here are a few things to consider -

How often do you pause to appreciate what you have in life?  In my own life, as I've seen more of the world, I've come to realize that many of the things I’ve been given are not rights, but privileges.  Like the ability to live in a country that's safe (considering how much of the world is in turmoil) and to gain an education.  Then there's the fact that I have a roof over my head, running water, eat several, balanced meals a day, and that I have all five senses to enjoy that with.  Sometimes it’s easy to feel down because you’re going through a tough time.  But remember, no matter how bad your situation may seem, there are millions of people that have it far worse off than you, and thousands of things to be grateful for.

"When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food, and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies with yourself." - Tecumseh, Shawnee Chief

Practicing thankfulness is one of the most powerful ways of thinking to bring about a change in our circumstances.  We often find ourselves struggling with thoughts of fear, worry, anger, frustration, anxiety, helplessness, self-doubt, depression and hopelessness. This kind of thinking has a major affect on our health and vitality, and does absolutely nothing to move us in a positive direction.  In fact, it make matters worse.  Thankfulness, on the other hand, is one of the quickest and most powerful ways to create a change in our circumstances and move us in a positive direction. 

Being thankful gives us access to our highest awareness and allows us  to see the myriad of possibilities, discover what we truly want, and realize a vision for the future.  Thankfulness also brings about a physical and mental transformation. We find ourselves smiling. Our spine straightens. Our muscles relax. Our creative juices begin to flow, and we get ideas on how to turn our situation around and move in a direction that inspires us.

"When I started counting my blessings,
my whole life turned around."
 - Willie Nelson

Nature Deficit Disorder

bi·o·phil·i·a  (n): a love of life and the living world; the affinity of human beings for other life forms.

It's something I've known intuitively, in my soul, but also something that's been expounded upon by great thinkers like Edward O. Wilson, John Muir, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Richard Louv - that human beings have a natural urge to connect with nature.  My parents weren't nature buffs, and without being told, I've come to learn that I do need it.  Nature calms, re-energizes and inspires in a way most things cannot.  

Wilson is known as the father of sociobiology.  He proposed the possibility that the deep affiliations humans have with nature are rooted in our biology. Unlike phobias, which are the aversions and fears that people have of things in the natural world, philias are the attractions and positive feelings that people have toward certain habitats, activities, and objects in their natural surroundings.  Emerson was a 19th century essayist and poet, and a champion of individualism.  He suggested that God does not have to reveal the truth but that the truth could be intuitively experienced directly from nature.  Louv is a journalist and coined the term "Nature Deficit Disorder" with the hypothesis that human beings, especially children, are spending less time outdoors resulting in a wide range of behavioral problems.

In my own life, I've developed an enormous appreciation of nature and my time spent in it - whether it be gardening in my yard, an urban hike through reclaimed land in San Francisco or backpacking in the Sierras - there's something magical, healing and inspiring about nature.  

"Walk away quietly in any direction and taste the freedom of the mountaineer. Camp out among the grasses and gentians of glacial meadows, in craggy garden nooks full of nature's darlings. Climb the mountains and get their good tidings, Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. As age comes on, one source of enjoyment after another is closed, but nature's sources never fail."  - John Muir, Our National Parks , 1901

Are you suffering from a nature deficiency?  The good news is that it’s an easy fix, with benefits that have the power to change the course and quality of your life. Here are a few quick tips to get started:

• Eat lunch outside or take a brisk walk a few times a week 
• When possible, take off those headphones and listen to the sounds around you
• Take your eyes off the computer screen and look out the window
• Dig in the dirt - get a plot in a community garden or do it in your own backyard
• Enjoy a weekend getaway in the great outdoors

Whatever you do, and however you do it - Get outside and get reinvigorated!  

It's a Right, Not a Privilege

Privilege (n): An immunity or benefit enjoyed only by a person beyond the advantaged of most.

Right (n): That which is due to anyone by just claim, legal guarantees, or moral principles.

Responsibility (n): Being answerable or accountable for something within one's power, control, or management.

At first glance, it's easy to view these terms as mutually exclusive. From their definitions, we can see that what is a "privilege" cannot be a right since rights are enjoyed by everyone, while a privilege is reserved for a select group. Likewise, it's impossible for an individual to take on the burden of responsibility if they lack to the right to vote in the first place.

Despite this initial judgment, many people view the ability to vote as all three simultaneously and weigh "right" after "privilege" or "responsibility." For example, many believe the ability to vote is a privilege granted to today's eligible voters by those who fought for it in the past either through war, grassroots movements, or legislative battles. These struggles have kept the United States as an independent nation and granted us the right to vote with the passage of the 15^th, 19^th, 24^th, and 26^th amendment, in addition to the legislative victory of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. From this perspective, it is a privilege to live in the United States, standing on the shoulders of these past giants, and we have a responsibility to vote because it honors those who have put their lives on the line to protect it. Excerpted from www.fairvote.org

Respect for every vote and every voice means that while we honor voting and our nation's heroes, we oppose the government having the power to infringe upon our fundamental right to elect our representatives and exercise our voice through our vote. 

There are so many important issues at stake in this election.  Exercise your right to make a difference.  Get out and VOTE TODAY! 

And then check to see whether the candidates and media are upholding our civil liberties in this election at ACLU Liberty Watch.

 

Lessons in Life

I firmly believe that all of life is about learning, changing, growing.  Trying to be a better person, to find a purpose, love, fulfillment.  

So far, these are some of the most important things I've learned.  The list is still growing...

Learn something every day.  It can be small (like a new word) or large (like tackling a new computer program or hobby), but never stop learning.

Smile.  Even if you don't feel it, because when you smile, the world does smile back at you, and before you know it, you will be smiling.  Each day is a gift... make it fun.

Look.  There is beauty all around you.

Listen.  It's the lost art.  When someone is talking, pay attention.  Be in the moment.  Make them feel important, and make a real connection.

Make mistakes.  It's OK.  Above all, don't be afraid of trying.

Quit procrastinating.  There really is no time like the present.  Don't let opportunity, and life, slip away from you.  Make every moment count.

Do what you love.  You don't necessarily need to make a career of it, but do that thing, because it will feed your soul in ways that are indescribable.

Live simply.  Enjoy what you have and get off that hamster wheel of consumerism.  It's empowering.

Live in the moment.  Stop your past and future tripping or you will never be happy, and you'll miss out on all the beautiful details.

Be who you are.  And if you don't look in the mirror and love that person, create a new you who you admire.

 

Are You an Urbanite?

ur·ban·ite.

From the Urban Dictionary: A person who inhabits one of the major cities in the world, aged between 17 and 44. An urbanite is an affluent consumer with an optimistic outlook on life that is very different from those who live in "small town" or rural areas.

Urbanites are both a subculture and a contemporary lifestyle. They have 6 key characteristics: Time-poor, city-proud, media-literate, brand-centric, trend-sensitive and culturally-aware.

The British newspaper Metro has listed the 10 "Great expectations" that above all else motivate and drive Urbanites:

1.   Expecting to live a meaningful and experience-rich urban life.
2.   Expecting to succeed in multiple areas of life (not just career).
3.   Expecting to get substantial fulfillment from work (not just cash).
4.   Expecting to be at the hub of a large friendship network.
5.   Expecting the traditional ideal of "true love" in the modern world.
6.   Expecting to have to "make time" in order to have and enjoy time.
7.   Expecting to use debt to have what they want, and have it now.
8.   Expecting to have a progressive government that delivers results.
9.   Expecting to live in a pleasant "urban village" area of their city.
10. Expecting to live a responsible life as an urban consumer. 

Wow, do we have a lot of expectations!  Can I axe numbers 6 & 7?

Tea Time #1

I love taking the time to enjoy a cup of tea.  There's something inherently calming about imbibing a warm cup of herbal essence.  Even more enjoyable, is when the tea in question has a meaningful bit of wisdom or inspiration attached to it, as do the Good Earth varieties.  Today's quote is:

"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you."  - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson was an American essayist, lecturer, and poet, who led the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century. He was seen as a champion of individualism and a prescient critic of the countervailing pressures of society. He wrote on a number of subjects, never espousing fixed philosophical tenets, but developing certain ideas such as individuality, freedom, the ability for humankind to realize almost anything, and the relationship between the soul and the surrounding world.

 

Special Delivery

I recently went to an art showing that blew my mind.  

Expansive.  With more than 80 local artists contributing in a space measuring 36,000 square feet.

Thought-provoking.  Social commentary ranging from religion, to politics, to the environment, to what we eat, to who we are.

And about to be destroyed.  September 30th was the last, and one of the very few days when this collection was viewable to the public.  The entire space has since been sandblasted.

The Story of Change

As a follow-up to my posts about simplicity and social responsibility, this new video by the maker's of "The Story of Stuff" is an interesting and compelling story about how to take the next step.

I'm an optimist by nature, but change for the better won't just happen.  I, and you, need to take an active role in directing the course for the future.  Whether it be through our vote, voice or dollar.

Poverty, money -- and love

After writing my last post, I just happened to watch a very moving TED talk from one of the Kiva co-founders, Jessica Jackley.  Excellent description of how we can share, in small $25 increments, to empower the poor, and allow them to change their own lives, in the ways that are really effective.  Not us in the developed world telling them what they need, or merely appeasing our guilt.

Her ending notes: We don't need anyone to tell us to care, we already do care.  We just need to be brave enough, and take the initiative to try.  Stop, and listen to someone else's story.   Everyone has the potential to do amazing things in the world.  We're all here for each other.  Believe in each other.  We need to make our collective story into a love story to change the world. 

To be a part of the amazing work that Kiva does around the world, start here.  Or find a cause that you care about.  Be a part of the love story.

My Story

So, you've been reading some of my posts about simplicity, social responsibility and change.  And, you're wondering...  why am I doing this?

Over the past 10 years, I've made major improvements in my own happiness and have grown enormously.  I'm not an expert, or a life coach, but I do feel it's important, and valuable, to share my own findings through personal experience and research on my path to growth.  My hope is that anyone reading this can know that they're not alone, and learn from my mistakes.  This helps me to continually clarify my path, but is also in answer to friends, acquaintances, and perhaps now strangers too that ask why I'm so happy, or how I can enjoy living so simply, or afford to travel for almost 3 years. 

Though not the first step on my path, one of the most profound was my decision in 2005 to leave the field of architecture and travel with my partner in the developing world for an undetermined length of time.  We rented our home and bought a one-way ticket to India.  It was terrifying and exhilarating.  Our aim was to live simply, experience life at the local level, gain an understanding of other cultures, trek in the Himalayas, see the World!  We chose to travel slowly and almost exclusively overland.  Over this time I read profusely, journaled extensively, met scores of incredibly generous people, had hundreds of unforgettable experiences.

The time I spent in the developing world made a profound and lifelong impact on the way I think, feel and want to behave as a citizen of this planet.  During a period of this time we served as Fellows for Kiva.org in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  This volunteer work gave me intimate access into the humble homes of families borrowing money to sustain or grow their businesses.  With the help of the local microfinance officers, who acted as translators, I was able to ask any question I wanted and learn fascinating details of these people's lives.  I wrote about my experiences and discoveries on Kiva's website for lenders all over the globe who helped finance these small business expenses. 

Here is a sampling of some of their stories:

Channa Ven, mini-mart owner

Channa, 41, is a tiny woman. She seems very shy at having a barang (foreigner) visit her home. We sit on a woven mat on the front porch of her thatched home - also tiny at only 10'x12', and housing 8 people!. Channa has been running the little open-air grocery stand in front of her home for the past 7 years. She says she's happy with this work as it allows her to be home and take care of her 6 children. Her husband used to work in an office, but after he had an operation a few years ago he's been working at home with her. They also raise pigs and work for neighbors during the rice harvest.

Channa's loan of $400 has enabled her to purchase new items for her store, and a small freezer, to better compete with the other village stores that have recently opened. For several years, she was the only store in town, carrying a variety of items - bread, sugarcane, noodles, fesh produce, and rice wines mixed with different fruit juices. Now she tries to keep an edge over competition with her homemade butter, ice cream and sweets.

Channa talks a lot about her children and the difficulty of keeping them in school. Of the six, her oldest is 19 and will now be working with them as college is too expense and far away. Her youngest child, 4, was very ill with fever when she was young and suffered brain damage so that she now has to take care of her at home. More optimistically she speaks of one daughter who is learning English and is "very clever". Channa hopes that with increased income she'll be able to provide for her to attend secondary school.  An opportunity she never had.

Siem Morm, farmer

Siem, a widow at age 53, smiled broadly as she welcomed us into her home the other day. Her loan of $500  has enabled her to purchase fertilizers and pesticides for her farm.  Like her parents before her, and their parents, Siem is a farmer. She's been doing it for over 30 years and says the work comes easily for her as it's all she's ever known. It's very hard work though, and prices are constantly fluctuating, so that the income is often only enough to cover the family's basic living expenses.

Of her eight children, 2 daughters are married and live away from home. Another works in the local government-run garment factory. Her youngest daughter, 14, is still in school and helps her in the afternoons. All four sons are living at home and farm with her. Her main focus now is for improving the business and providing a better education for her youngest. She hopes that when this loan has been repaid she will take another to build a new outhouse and make other improvements to their home.


Saroeurn, 56, greeted us in front of her small mini-mart the other day. The "store" is simply a couple of tables with items displayed on them and others hanging from above. She cleared a spot for the loan officer and I to sit and motioned for her daughter to take over. As we asked her about her life, family and the effects of her loan, several other children and grandchildren who were sitting nearby gazed at us with open curiosity.

Sarourn, mini-mart owner

Saroeurn's loan of $1,000 has enabled her to purchase new items for her store to better compete with the other village stores nearby. The mini-mart is stocked with a variety of food and sundry items - fresh produce, sugar, seasonings, rice crackers, cigarettes, eggs and ice. She tries to keep an edge over competition with unique items like homemade wine and shrimp cakes. Saroeurn also used a portion of her loan to purchase jasmine flowers which her daughter, 24, resells in Phnom Penh. 

Saroeurn's husband is a construction worker. Of their nine children, ages 10 - 24, five have stopped school and work to help support the family. One son is still in school and studies English in Phnom Penh on the weekends. With their combined income, Saroeurn feels her family is doing well. She hopes that in the future, if business continues to improve, they won't have to borrow money again and may even save enough to buy a moto-scooter for the family.

Hong, woodcarver

The experiences I had among the disadvantaged taught me about traveling lightly through life.  It's an amazing sensation for one so used to structure and schedule to be mobile and flexible... and to lighten your load of "stuff"!  That was the beginning of my simplification at home.  It's strange, but excess possessions seem to weigh you down in the same way that excess baggage on the road does.  All those "things" have an attachment and begin to own "you".  So, it goes to reason that the less you have, the more free you feel.  

Liberate yourself!  

Nouern, weaver

Another important lesson that traveling taught me was to slow down, take your time, and take a deep breath.  You're not on this journey alone, so be polite to your fellow passengers - smile and assist when needed.

And finally, be flexible!  Things often don't go as planned, but anger doesn't help.  Again, breathe.  Sometimes, the unexpected can bring about the best in a situation, or in you.

"A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving."  - Lao Tzu

Are You Socially Responsible?

What does that even mean anyway?   

Individual or Personal Social Responsibility, often referred to as ISR or PSR is a concept  as old as The Golden Rule - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It's about recognizing how your behavior affects others, and holding yourself accountable for your actions. ISR expands on this by promoting a proactive stance towards positively influencing and affecting the people and environments outside your immediate circle. ISR is also at the root of Corporate Social Responsibility, or CSR, because a corporation is comprised of individuals and hence determines the social responsibility culture it creates. Individuals are becoming more socially responsible and, in response to this Corporations and Companies need to become more socially responsible to meet consumer demand.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) states that “In the wake of increasing globalization, we have become increasingly conscious not only of what we buy, but also how the goods and services we buy have been produced. Environmentally harmful production, child labor, dangerous working environments and other inhumane conditions are examples of issues being brought into the open. All companies and organizations aiming at long-term profitability and credibility are starting to realize that they must act in accordance with norms of right and wrong.”

According to a 2007 poll, when it comes to individual social responsibility, there are three types of people:

1. Two-thirds of U.S. adults have “Good Intentions” – they believe that social responsibility is a good idea, and they do what they can in terms of volunteering, but they do not sacrifice huge amounts of time or money.
2. At the top end of the spectrum, only 8 percent of U.S. adults “Practice What They Preach” and for this group, individual, as well as corporate, social responsibility is extremely important.
3. One-quarter of U.S. adults, however, follow a philosophy of “To Thine Own Self Be True” and, for this group, social responsibility has little consequence in their lives.

A socially responsible person will endeavor to have a positive effect on others and enrich their environment, as well as the larger community. They will strive to make a positive contribution, and will not pollute the atmosphere, both physically and metaphorically.

So, which type of person are you?  Be part of the 8% - help out or give to a cause you care about today.

“The impersonal hand of government can never replace the helping hand of a neighbor.”  - Hubert H. Humphrey

Living the Simple Life

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." - Confucius

Simplification is about decluttering  all of your life - your schedule, home, office and mental spaces too. 

For me, the trip I took  from December 2005 to August 2008, spending the majority of my time in the developing world, was the big breakthrough.  First off, I was limited in what I could carry on my back.  This meant only the most basic of clothes, personal belongings, an iPod, camera, a few books and my journal.  That was it.  Secondly, many of the people I encountered on a daily basis had even less than I did.  And even the wealthier locals had far less than what I had stockpiled in storage back in California.  Sure, over that time, I wore through my clothes and had to buy new ones.  I bought a few new things and mailed them home.  But overall, I lost my urge for "more".  I found a pure satisfaction in the simplicity of it all.  I saw that those with less were no less happy for it.  In fact, they showed me that happiness can be found in the simplest of things.  And that many of those things don't cost a dime, or rupee, or a yen.

Returning to the U.S. came as much more of a culture shock than I ever expected.  All the excess!  Grocery stores with shelves piled high with wall-to-wall items, the cars, the fast pace of life - all of it made me want to flee.  It took nearly a year before I began to feel like an American again.  It was extremely challenging at first to embrace that simplicity here, and downright un-American.  Some would say I'm frugal, or minimalist.  I suppose I'm a combination of both.  Now, I live simply so that I can work less, create more, and save for what’s important.  I've learned to do things myself, and really well - as with sewing and becoming an even better cook.  I do splurge on occasion, because life is too short not to treat yourself.  And when I do, I enjoy it all the more.

“The simplest things are often the truest.” - Richard Bach

There isn’t one way to simplicity - there are as many ways as there are people who seek a simple life.  Some simple tips I've learned are:

Enjoy the simple things in life. The next time you eat a piece of fruit or enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, simply enjoy it. Sounds like a pretty obvious suggestion right? It is, but most of the time we do exactly the opposite. We’re not just eating or drinking, we’re thinking about all sorts of things. We’re thinking about the next thing we need to do, or the past, or future.  The next time you eat or drink, just do that. You'll experience the flavors and tastes at if it were the first time.

Reassess your priorities. Do you stress out about what’s on your to-do list more than living in the moment? We have to find a balance in achievement and contentment. Sometimes it’s not about getting what you want, but wanting what you have. It’s not about achieving the completion of a project, but enjoying the process of creativity.

Work four days a week. But how can you work only four days if you currently work five and are overloaded as it is? It’s funny, but you can somehow make it work. It’s a well-known law that our work expands to fit the time we give it … and the flip side of that is if you shrink the time, you will become more efficient, or shrink the work to fit the time. And, you’ll have an extra day off. Which will give you time for the next important tip...

Make time for what you love. We often get burnt out because we’re busy working and attending to obligations. If we are not doing anything we’re excited about, we’ll likely start resenting our lives. It’s important to make time every day doing things you really enjoy.

Single-task. This is good for those who tend to be all over the place. When you’re working on a project, stick with it.  One task at a time … finish the task … move on to the next. Try this for one day, focusing on it completely for that day. If it works for you, try it again the next day.

Deflect all requests for a week. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, make the decision that you will not say “yes” to any new requests this week. If you get a new request, politely decline. If it’s a request you can’t decline, tell them you’ll get to it next week because you have some projects you need to finish this week. Then pick one or two or even three projects (depending on their sizes) and focus on finishing them this week. You can worry about new stuff next week. 

 
Start your day with peace. It's your best bet on creating a great day. When you first rise, do something that is calming and peaceful. That might be running or walking, having a quiet cup of coffee with a book, watching the sunrise, meditating or yoga … whatever works well for you. It can be 10 minutes or an hour, but find some peace in the morning and use it to calm you throughout your entire day.

30-day rule. This is a great trick for those who have trouble with impulse buying - that great enemy of simplifying. The rule is that if you want to buy something, you have to write it on your 30-day list, with the date that it was added to the list. After 30 days, if you still want it, you can buy it. This doesn’t apply to necessities such as groceries … which helps you distinguish between wants and needs, a great skill for simplifying.

Decluttering. Start with one area you’re trying to declutter - a room, drawer, shelf, desk, or whatever.  Label three boxes: Trash, Donate, Maybe.  Quickly go through each shelf or drawer or flat surface at once, putting things into the three separate boxes.  For the Maybe box - try not to use it if you can avoid it.  If you really can't decide, put items in and store them for 3-6 months.  If you haven't needed them in that time, then they go.  

One in, two out. When you bring something into your house, you have to get rid of two things. The normal rule is one in, one out, but somehow that never seems to work - things still accumulate. Instead, get rid of two things and things will stay simple.

You'll see some of these tips, and more, at Zen Habits.

The Hardest Part

Sometimes, the hardest part of a project is the act of starting.  

"There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth…not going all the way, and not starting."   - Buddha

After all these years of living, learning, growing, hard choices, changing, learning, changing again... I'm ready to begin anew. 

For me, this start is about taking many of the things I care about and compiling them into one, clear story.  I do this not only for myself, to clarify my path, but in answer to friends, acquaintances, and perhaps now strangers too that ask why I'm so happy, or how I can enjoy living so simply, or afford to travel for almost 3 years.

This blog is about what really matters to me.

I'll admit that creative pursuits, backpacking, and travel in the developing world top that list too, and I know that it's all tied together in the whole of what satisfies my soul.  But here, I'm going to focus on things that are larger than myself.  Things that affect you, and me, and the entire planet.  I'm talking about much more than sustainability, but overall quality of life.  Don't worry, I'll make it as interesting and fun as possible.  

“Whatever you dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.” - Goethe

And it begins again

"Talent is an amalgam of high sensitivity; easy vulnerability; high sensory equipment (seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, tasting—intensely); a vivid imagination as well as a grip on reality; the desire to communicate one's own experience and sensations, to make one's self heard and seen."

Uta Hagen (b. 1919), U.S. actor. Respect for Acting, pt. 1, ch. 1 (1973).

"If we confine ourselves to one life role, no matter how pleasant it seems at first, we starve emotionally and psychologically. We need a change and balance in our daily lives. We need sometimes to dress up and sometimes to lie around in torn jeans."

Faye J. Crosby (20th century), U.S. professor. Juggling, ch. 4 (1991).

in. vivid. relief.

in

1. (used to indicate inclusion within something abstract or immaterial): in politics; in the autumn.
2. (used to indicate inclusion within or occurrence during a period or limit of time): in ancient times; a task done in ten minutes.
3. (used to indicate limitation or qualification, as of situation, condition, relation, manner, action, etc.): to speak in a whisper; to be similar in appearance.
4. (used to indicate means): sketched in ink; spoken in French
5. (used to indicate inclusion within space, a place, or limits): walking in the park.

viv·id