In anticipation of choosing a new word for 2009 (to be revealed in my Thursday, New Year's Day post), I've been doing a bit of pondering of last year's word (Release) which, given the difficulty of achieving, actually worked pretty well - 12 months later, I've divested myself of... 1 non-reciprocal friendship, 2 extra-curricular activities (another waiting in the wings), many boxes/bags of unwanted clutter, 15 pounds of unhealthy extra weight (still working on this one) and, as Joni sings, "you know, there may be more"... :-)
As a follow-up to the 20-minute video above (seriously, watch when you have the time!), I offer up this link... and the article below, saved from six months ago...
18 Ways to Live Simple Now
June 4th, 2008 by Christine Kane
What does it mean to Live Simple?
It doesn’t mean that you foresake all of your belongings and head to the woods to live deliberately. (Though you could do worse!)
It doesn’t mean that you adopt a self-righteous attitude about money (which is often a convenient way to ignore your own money issues).
To Live Simple is to be empowered and to be present. To Live Simple is to make authentic choices and to create a life you love - free from clutter of all kinds.
Here are 18 ways to Live Simple Now…
SONG: Simple by Laura Love (can't find lyrics or YouTube video - go here and scroll down to track 7 to listen to a few bars)...
BOOK: Simple Prosperity: Finding Real Wealth in a Sustainable Lifestyle by David Wann
POEM: Start Close In by David Whyte
Start close in,
don't take the second step
or the third,
start with the first
thing
close in,
the step you don't want to take.
Start with
the ground
you know,
the pale ground
beneath your feet,
your own
way of starting
the conversation.
Start with your own
question,
give up on other
people's questions,
don't let them
smother something
simple.
To find
another's voice
follow
your own voice,
wait until
that voice
becomes a
private ear
listening
to another.
Start right now
take a small step
you can call your own
don't follow
someone else's
heroics, be humble
and focused,
start close in,
don't mistake
that other
for your own.
Start close in,
don't take the second step
or the third,
start with the first
thing
close in,
the step you don't want to take.
QUOTE: "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite direction." ~ E.F. Schumacker
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