Abundance
Rather than "wealth" I think the word I have been looking for to describe what I think we should be after rather than material goods is "abundance". Abundance conveys the notion of sufficiency, of having enough. A simple life is one of abundance, there is enough of everything and no need for anything else in particular. It is a state of mind. On the Frugal Living in the UK website the author makes some suggestion for living a life of abundance with which I pretty much wholehearty agree.
1. Count your blessings - a cliche but so true - be thankful for all the good you have in your life - the most important blessings are not always the big shiny ones :)
2. Expect the best (can be difficult to keep up!!) - haven't you noticed how people who are always pessimistic and moaning keep having bad experiences and lots of bad luck? There's a reason - whatever you focus on most is what you attract to you - let it be good stuff! Let your mind dwell on the things you love.
3. Don't let frugallity make you mean - you can be generous without being wasteful - what goes around comes around.
4. Be nice to yourself - you deserve it - give yourself little treats whether it's a glass of wine, a bath with candles and essential oils or an hour in the sun with a book - it doesn't have to be a mad shopping spree. In fact frequent over-spending is often the result of some deep emotional unhappiness - the spending won't cure it.
5. Practices like meditation, walks in the country and yoga help to keep you centered and calm.
6. Don't beat yourself up if you fall off the wagon - whether it's with positive thinking or being frugal - forgive yourself and move on.
I like the emphasis not taking it all too seriously. Simple Living should not be motivated by any kind of self-righteousness, to my mind. It is about taking more pleasure in life, not less - the only caveat being, of course, that one's own pleasure can never be at the expense of someone else quality of life.
1. Count your blessings - a cliche but so true - be thankful for all the good you have in your life - the most important blessings are not always the big shiny ones :)
2. Expect the best (can be difficult to keep up!!) - haven't you noticed how people who are always pessimistic and moaning keep having bad experiences and lots of bad luck? There's a reason - whatever you focus on most is what you attract to you - let it be good stuff! Let your mind dwell on the things you love.
3. Don't let frugallity make you mean - you can be generous without being wasteful - what goes around comes around.
4. Be nice to yourself - you deserve it - give yourself little treats whether it's a glass of wine, a bath with candles and essential oils or an hour in the sun with a book - it doesn't have to be a mad shopping spree. In fact frequent over-spending is often the result of some deep emotional unhappiness - the spending won't cure it.
5. Practices like meditation, walks in the country and yoga help to keep you centered and calm.
6. Don't beat yourself up if you fall off the wagon - whether it's with positive thinking or being frugal - forgive yourself and move on.
I like the emphasis not taking it all too seriously. Simple Living should not be motivated by any kind of self-righteousness, to my mind. It is about taking more pleasure in life, not less - the only caveat being, of course, that one's own pleasure can never be at the expense of someone else quality of life.
posted by voluntarysimpleton at 8:16 AM
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