Thanks for joining me! I love the outdoors to start. I am hoping taking on simple living will help me to do and see new ways to enjoy my time while in the great outdoors. Never wanting to go along this journey by myself so come with me and let’s have some fun. Thanks
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
My Journals
Reconnect With Nature:
Honestly, what has stopped me from connecting with nature and being outdoors is my riding buddies who no longer want to ride as much as I do. I should begin by saying two weeks ago, the weekend before classes started, I chose to go to Yadkinville and ride motocross by myself. The place in Yadkinville is a nice place to ride motorcycles, camp, fish, and just hang out with family or friends.
I started going here back in 2014 when I met a Friend named Michael Carpenter. We hit it off pretty well, but after a few years of riding, we began to not ride as much. I wanted to go riding every weekend, but he did not. The thing about motocross riding is it’s a sport that is too dangerous to do alone. It’s simply too dangerous to try the terrain without other people there to go along. There have been many accidents to people who were alone and things didn’t turn out well for them.
So, that’s my reason for wanting more people to go along for the ride, however my last ride two weeks ago was great. I went alone and met some people to ride with, so I was okay. Now, what I want to do is Become less Dependent On Other People In Order To Enjoy Myself!!! Mentally, I have to break the bad habits. The bad habits are what have made me so dependent on other people. I am training myself to go this journey alone. Bike riding is what I love to do and I shouldn’t be unhappy because of other people. It may sound selfish, but it’s the truth.
I owe it to myself to be happy. I work hard, and I should play even harder.
Spend More Time With Family:
Family is important and I know I should cherish the moments way more than I do. So, in this first entry I simply want to make that change to visit family who live out of town more frequently and also enjoy the ride along highways simply taking in the sights as I go along. If anything, at least visiting mom who lives a little over an hour away would help make me feel better about showing appreciation for the things she and my other family members have shown me over the years.
The change will start this weekend as I am going to Seagrove NC to see family for Memorial Day. This cookout will be greatly appreciated as I truly do need a break from the everyday schedule and work week. No credit cards on this trip. Only cash in hand.
De-clutter My Life:
This is probably my biggest challenge so far. I have so much going on from work, to family, to just wanting to take a long vacation with someone I love that it almost seems unfair. However, I’m not the one to complain about things. I just keep going and going, just like that energizer bunny. HaHa.
What is mainly my biggest challenge is how to get rid of things that really have no significance in me succeeding or failing. But, for some reason, I hold on to them. I do have people around me that hold me down. I DO want to live the simple life. I have the means and wherewithal to do so. I just need to let go of things and certain people. I do not mean this monetarily, but I want to say I know the difference in needing to hold on to something or let it go.
Therefore, my happiness depended on this action and what I did really wasn’t too significant until I looked back this weekend and noticed the negativity was no longer there. Some people, even friends can unknowingly hold you back. Changing subjects, I also went to the warehouse where I work and moved some things around. The disorganization there was ruining my life. Every time I went over to this place; it was like a disaster. No one to do things right but me and I’m glad I did some work there and the potential for me to be happy at work is greater.
Doing More With Less:
Besides a few other things like helping out my mom and spending money on my motorcycle; I do a fairly decent job of living within my means. I do have some credit cards that I would like to pay off, however I need them to continue my strive for perfect credit. I hardly ever go anywhere outside my city, so over spending isn’t a concern for me.
What concerns me is not doing enough to be happy. I don’t need money to visit family. I don’t need money to go walking through the parks and down the nature trails. When I evaluate Simple Living, I see it as doing what we love. I think it’s all in the mind. I happen to value the simple life part of who I am. I never go on spending sprees. I have no intent to go shopping with my money buying clothes that I hardly get to wear. If I’m not at my Monday thru Friday job, then every other weekend I’m working at Budweiser.
I do see a work week of just four days making my life complete on certain levels. I need that Friday break to unwind early and get packed for a ride in the country or just a night camping. How simple can that be right? Very simple if you ask me.
What I plan to set out and do is leave the credit cards at home and only spend what is necessary. So far so good, as just this weekend alone I went to the store Friday and only have a small amount of cash. This was great because not only did I not use a card, but it stopped me from purchasing unneeded items.
World-Wide Simplicity
To begin, I think it would be best if I talked about the sense of simple living. What we all have in common is just that; the ability to live simply. The five communities discussed in this essay know all too well how to do this. Also, they have the innate ability to source and replant the land. Living in “simplicity” comes to mind as we all know how to do it; we just need to discover the meaning of the word.
See, there has to be an understanding of who we are. The understanding of community, and togetherness all intertwined into something bigger than ourselves. We all have a lot to be thankful for. Perhaps, the happiest of us all are the ones who really and truly know this. As the old adage reminds me; “we are stronger in numbers.” And, this is what makes culture, tradition, and community so important. It is the belief that if we can somehow come together in numbers, find something we all believe in that represents who we are, and lastly, give us hope for the future, then we are headed in the right direction.
Hopefully, this essay will convince you that community and togetherness outweigh any issue or form of misunderstanding that may be present about living in a simple world.
Let’s begin by discussing the act of preserving. I would like to start with the people of the Congo Basin, who protect, preserve and give back by maintaining the land for future use. At GoConsciousEarth, there is a vision and the people here believe in protecting the animals, and land rights because they know the importance of having involvement within the community. Also, the people of the Congo Basin protect their rainforest and have an initiative to provide clean water and education that is sustainable for years to come. But, that’s just part of their mission. Involvement is key here. And, we are invited! The initiatives of groups and people who want to help conserve and protect are already in action helping to cultivate and enact ways for the people of the Congo Basin to have resources and sustainable access to just some of the things I and you may take for granted.
However, what’s important is the people of the Congo have fishing, and farming which are the providers of their communities. This is very important for their region of the world because farming and fishing are great ways to provide for people without all the harm to animals. In the U.S., this is something that we could learn from, too. The lifestyles of the people of the Congo Basin could really be the recipe for success for lots of people unaware of its benefits. It’s almost like saving ourselves from ourselves. Money could be saved and we could transform our lives into a more simplistic way of living.
Kudos to the Congo community for sharing their beliefs and believing in themselves. And, the possibilities are endless as we move to the next community of people living in Salinas de Guaranda. In this region, we have the focus of value on community and solidarity which moves to define who the people of this region are. It’s really a town where people can come and visit and understand the customs and beliefs which are monumental in defining the locals here. The businesses here thrive off of exporting goods to other regions.
What is worth noting about sustainable living off one’s own land is the pride and self-esteem made evident by the market which sustains itself. This is what the simple life offers to all of us who can appreciate what it really means. The people of Salinas de Guaranda have their own businesses, products and markets which give their region importance and notoriety. Therefore, I ask. Just what type of a community is Salinas
de Guaranda? It just might be worthy of say this place is the epitome of togetherness and community involvement. Their motto, “Where people come before money, the poor come before the rich, the weak before the strong, the sick before the healthy, and the small before the big,” are such great words to live by.
All I can say is, if only my country had the sense to live by this. Oh, how simple a world we would live in then. We could potentially be part of something where class and race wouldn’t matter anymore. Interestingly enough, through another community called the Provision- in Romania; I learned a few things for sure. On their blog, Best Wishes for 2016, I learned the importance of community and giving as a whole. I understand their need for volunteer work, but also to help and lend a hand to students and the hosting of guests. I think this is a perfect example of giving back.
In the Provision, we learn through nature, food, self and community, that we can uplift one another and become a more self-sufficient people. I commend those who help run the Provision (which is a farm based on non-violent and AgroEcology means of living.) But why you may ask? It is because this is how we should learn to live. This is the “true” means to simple living. I urge myself and you to remember how fruitful it is to learn the ways of the “peasant lifestyle.” This undoubtedly means a lifestyle without all the fame and glory we demand here in the states. They teach hard work and togetherness at Provision. Something we all could learn to live intentionally off of.
Another community worthy of mentioning is Bija Vidyapeeth or Earth University. It is located in Navdanya’s learning center located at the Navdanya Biodiversity Conservation Farm in Doon Valley, Uttarakhand. What is unique about this place is nature is the teacher and the healer. Inspiration is drawn from learning about nature and the forest. It’s important we know this so we can always remember where our inspiration and healing comes from.
Also, it’s worth noting just how Earth University happens to be a very creative place. Mainly, because it’s a sanctuary for birds, butterflies, insects and soil microorganisms. Talk about giving back. Here, farmers and other people alike join together to grow crops and learn thru biodiversity where nature is the teacher. There is so much to learn at a place like Earth University; everything from community togetherness, women diversity and earth management. This should be the purpose of teaching people alike about what matters in a community like setting such as this; where the diversity in the ecosystem and nature, considering the benefits of preserving our land and its inhabitants because we care about them, comes first. And, nothing says it better than the Friends of Spannocchia.
Located in the heart of wine country better known as Tuscany; friends and family alike can take to the land and help grow and sustain it. Conserving the land and helping to preserve the way of life is what is important here. And, this is what the epitome of the word “community” is all about. Spannocchia is a place of farming and community activities alike, some of which include touring and hiking. Talk about living the simple life in simplicity! You can taste the wines, make pastries and help feed the farm animals.
All I can say is community, community, community.
All of the communities discussed in this essay have one thing in common. It is togetherness by which they live and preserve their way of life. It is a simple life indeed, based and predicated on living intentionally by American author and activist Helen Keller’s famous words. “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.
I believe if we can do what these communities have shown us that work for them; which is to live intentionally, creatively and outside the mainstream. Then, we can say we are living the simple life in simplicity, too.
Media Guides Towards A Better Life
The Minimalists
This site is about informing simple living. How to do it and why we should start living simple. There are lots of things to read about like book reads and financial planning. If you are looking into living the simple life, I recommend this website and blog to you.
Moneyisnotimportant.com
There are lots of things to read here and one book I believe is very important for every one is the book on the life of Guy Grieve. It tells the story of a man who is fed up with his life and decides to move to Alaska and live in the wilderness. This is just a very informative website about money and its importance, or, not its importance. It’s all up to the reader.
Simplelivingglobal.com
This is a site about helping us to achieve worthiness thru simple living. It talks about the dangers in not staying healthy, money-wise or whatever. But, we better be responsible for what we do. Self-care and self-awareness is what I’m talking about here. All of us could use a little self-pampering. So, this website is for everyone.
Mr.moneymustache.com
This is a blog about living well within your means. It explains how we can live a nice life at 50 to 70 percent of our income if we spend wisely. It was born out of giving up on the regular nine to five and finding that way of life that is fulfilling and done without spending all of the money available. Living frugal and understanding we can live our dreams with some good financial planning.
Slowyourhome.com
This is my type of blog and I am just like the owner. I love the outdoors and so does Brooke McAlary who owns the rights to this blog. She wants us to slow down and enjoy the ride. Spending time with family, enjoying this journey called life and loving the outdoors is everything this site wants us to do. My best one yet.
Theclassysimplelife.com
Loving yourself and raising your standards describes this blog by Michelle who wants us to live a stress free and love where we are in this moment. She is a minimalist who took her life into her own hands after losing her job of sixteen years. I am noticing lots of these blogs are created by personal letdown from employers and money woes. This is why sites such as these are so comforting in their own little way. It gives us belief again in what we can do and create.
Bemorewithless.com
This site hits home because just like this blog wants us to declutter our lives; I did my video about getting rid of all the clutter in my life. Very inspiring for me personally, and I recommend this for everyone. It relieves stress and opens our mind to new ways of thinking. Let’s let go of regret and disappointment. Things like this hold us down. A renewed mind and rekindled spirit goes a long way. I’m starting now.
Happysimpleliving.com- Now Percolate
This is a blog about good food, cooking, parenting, and real-life. This blog hits home because it takes me through a day of my life. All of these topics are very important and relevant. There is a book with 21 ways to simplify your life. Landscaping with edible vegetables is a huge topic and Eliza Cross who owns the blog is all about food, real-life and home. Check it out.
Busyzenlife.com
Give up guilt and live freely through relaxation is the choice of topic here. This site offers some survival tips for the person who may be stuck in a rut at home or during the winter months. There is hope however. This blogging site will help the most fast paced person to become one that relaxes on meditation and sips coffee to ease themselves and relax.
EricaLayne.co
Going from overwhelmed and worn-out to centered and at peace in the movement. Erica is going to help us find peace and focus which we all know we need. Erica talks of a simpler life because as she was overwhelmed with the tasks of everyday life; she found peace and comfort in living simple. She wants us to be true to ourselves and find that focus and peace which defines and ultimately makes this journey called life worth living.
Essays From Class
American Traditions
Being confined to one way of living is important to many people. However, yes, ethics and morals are important. But, sometimes there isn’t anything wrong with not wanting to be confined to just one way of living your life. Simplicity is different. It has different meanings for different people. Some may think living the right way is spending less money for example. Then, you have those who say live life to the fullest. They don’t care about how they spend; they just want to be happy.
I think I fall into both of these categories. Sometimes I want to live by the rules and laws of saving for later. But, then there are those times when I want to just to live it up. Kind of like the differences between the Puritans/ Quakers and the Transcendentalists.
Puritans and Quakers: The religious sects who have different beliefs at least believe in one God. No matter what they say which separates them from one another; it is the duty of the believer, “To serve God diligently in one’s profession, skill or vocation.” (David Shi, The Simple Life. P. 9) It is my duty, then, to serve God in everything I do. My character and moral value is predicated upon my works to the lord. A true believer in Christ I am. I know moral character and ethical responsibility is important in practicing my faith, so I must be mindful of this as I go throughout the day.
It is said; Puritans and Quakers differed theologically, meaning they had different religious beliefs. However, if one is to live without the lord and with the Lord- then at least they believe. This is why I relate to the religious sects and believe they can co-exist amongst each other. If we look around us, how many times do we see struggle and fighting all because of religion? David Shi asserts, “Yet if the Puritans and Quakers differed theologically, driving each other to fury, they at the same time both promoted a Christianity writ plain. The Friends echoed Calvin and the Puritans in emphasizing the virtues of thrift, sobriety, and hard work at one’s calling. And, it was only natural, they agreed, to enjoy the fruits of one’s labor. God did not intend man to be poor and uncomfortable. But, they also stressed that the material world of daily toil and daily bread was, after all, only transitory, and one’s heart should be set upon eternal treasures.” (Shi, The Simple Life, p. 29)
What does this tell me? Does it mean I can work all day and spend all my money in one place? Sure it does! However, if I live by money alone how can I be totally free? The problem however is money alone is not happiness for me. I need other things. I need spirituality, and I need reason. I want to live the simple life as much as possible, but there has to be a blueprint for the plan to do so.
As George Fox put it, whom by the way was the founder of the Society of Friends, I.e. Quakers. “Neither be cumbered nor surfeited with the Riches of the World, nor bound, nor strained with them. Fox realized, “after Riches do increase, take heed of setting yours Hearts upon them, lest they become a Curse and a Plague to you.” (Shi, The Simple Life, p.29) This then was “Designed to teach The Society of Friends how to live rather than how to make a living. Simplicity would not only serve as a testament to the rest of the world against the evils of conceit, greed and superfluidity, but also to promote social justice.” (Shi, The Simple Life. P.29)
Even then, way back hundreds of years ago; people were trying to distinguish themselves from being greedy and conceited, from just living a simple life. This is the struggle a lot of us have. We do not know how much is enough? In my situation, the learning curve is to limit the spending to live comfortably later. The simple life is just that in my opinion. Live according to your means. Not outside of them.
Transcendentalists: Just as our way of living evolves, so do the beliefs and practices we share begin to change, as well. The Quakers and Puritans believed in the simple life as living within moderation along with certain rules of “how to live in a complex, yet tempting material world without coming to love it.” (Shi, The Simple Life, p.29) Our Transcendentalists friends however differ slightly.
“As Ralph Waldo Emerson, the philosopher put it, in 1844, “there was in all the practical activities of New England for the last quarter of a century, a gradual withdrawal of tender conscientious from social organizations. These tender consciences imbued with a romantic emphasis on naturalism, immediatism, individualism, and perfectionism, espoused a more spontaneous and liberating version of the simple life than that
promoted by conservative moralists.” (David Shi, The Simple Life, p. 125)
This is appealing to me because we as individuals can view simplicity very differently. I stated in my introduction some people choose to spend wisely and save for the future, while some people want to live it up now and live in the moment. The transcendental way of thinking is a progressive way which is predicated on movement away from the norm. If I want to live the simple life, I must decide on how and which way I want to do these things. I too, like the Romantics and/or Transcendentalists “view simplicity as a personally chosen, rather than a socially imposed, way of living.” (Shi, The Simple Life, p.125)
In other words, who wants to be controlled or governed on how to live? The ideas of the church versus the individual are and will always be front page, but they can co-exist. Living in simplicity can be viewed very differently, however, it all comes down to the individual and what he/ or she believes in. “Life is a selection,” wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson. (Shi, The Simple Life, p. 128) This was a great idea back when, and it still is a great idea now. How and what we do with our life is up to us. No one else is responsible. As Emerson put it, “there are two selves- inner and outer, spiritual and material, imaginative and physical. Each is essential to the human experience.” (Shi, The Simple Life, p. 131)
I have the ability to determine the simple life and what it means. Do I follow my spiritual or my material self? Do I follow my imaginative or my physical? It’s all up to me.
My Ecological Footprint
If everyone on the planet lived my lifestyle, we would need:
= 4.84 Earths
To begin, I didn’t know I was so wasteful and hurting the earth as much as I am. It is very eye opening to see what we use and do not use that can be so instrumental in producing a climate and society that is healthier and cleaner for a better future. I suppose it would be better to start with my transportation needs. It’s difficult to see myself walking or running to work as my job is thirty minutes away along a usual morning drive. The traffic in my city isn’t as demanding as say a big city like Chicago, or New York. However, my job consists of two or maybe three different trips to a warehouse to receive supplies for the day’s agenda. I have no idea how I could accomplish this without my pick-up truck.
Secondly, I live in an apartment building built in the late nineties, so lots of the insulation and greener supplies maybe not used to build this section where I live. It’s possible we could install some recycling water bins, but the appliances here are fairly new with the upgrades and the outside buildings have not been touched. Restoring the siding with better recycled and insulated materials could definitely help in those regards which would lower my score.
Doing things like turning off lights, unplugging unused appliances, and going green on cleaning agents will help lower my footprint, but there are things in my building which are not accessible, such as solar power and wind power. My eating habits are something I am constantly working on and eating organic is something I am trying but with mixed results. Taste is everything and organic does vary in that department.
I know how important it is to save water and I barely wash my truck once a month. I truly believe in only using a full washing machine and I never use the dishwasher. I like to hand wash, but without letting the water just run. I recycle at work and use water to drink that comes in the form of recycled bottles. My footprint will lower as I will now do my best to consume less, and recycle more.
Essay: How Much Is Enough?
I know how much is enough. It is enough to satisfy our human hearts. It is enough to clog our arteries with substances that are like pieces of plaque and deadly. It is enough to bankrupt our pockets and we still want more. It is enough to put a smile on our faces while we are dying inside. It is enough to forget about the common man and the desire to have compassion for him. It is enough to teach our children over-consumption until their bellies are protruding the pants. It is enough to watch our land and resources shrink only so we can call ourselves the wealthiest.
I want to say thanks. Thanks to Alan Durning for his compassionate, yet unrealistic assumption of the American people. We Americans are the cruelest and most demeaning people ever to walk the earth. There is no hope. Forget about riches in love, honesty, family, faith, and character. Or, as Durning puts it, “Traditional measures of success, such as integrity, honesty, skill, and hard work, are gradually supplanted by a simple, universally recognizable indicator of achievement-money.” (Alan Durning, How Much Is Enough. p. 13) Money has now become the true measure of a man and its money that drives the blind mindset that says, “Net worth equals self-worth.” (Durning, p. 13)
Durning is really on to something here. He knows we can do it! He knows we can save the earth, the animals, and the plants. But, how do we do it I ask? If we are consumed by the acquisition of goods, how can we treasure what it took to get here? The rich in America can look a poor man in the eye and say they do not have spare change. I’ve seen it. Michael Jordan once famously said on the Oprah Winfrey Show. “A man once asked me for change. I said why you can’t say, hi, welcome to McDonald’s. The nerve of this guy! Does he not think- maybe this guy once bought a pair of my shoes?
I think this is the attitude of the rich American. The same attitude Michael Jordan showed to this stranger is the same way the affluent look at saving the earth and recycling for tomorrow. They simply do not care. The mind of the rich is only on the rich which is why we can’t explain the poor people in this world having such a disparity between the classes. Honestly, can we factually say the poor and middle-class are contributing to rising greenhouse gases, and a climate that is being destroyed?
They do not drive the majority of the cars. They do not consume the majority of meat and/or grain feed animals which in turn lead to “the associated soil erosion, water consumption, pesticide runoff, groundwater depletion, and emissions of the greenhouse gas methane.” (Alan Durning, How Much Is Enough. p. 16) And, who would think consuming beef could lead to all of this? I sure didn’t know it. But, thanks again Alan Durning. Of course, this is a very serious situation that I am taking very seriously. My attitude towards the subject just happens to be that of complete astonishment!
I knew the American people were the biggest consumers of all resources; I just didn’t know it was this much. I am part of the problem and I’m not rich. If the rich can create so much chaos, how can I do the same? I’m ashamed of myself. I’ve looked the poor in the eye and done nothing. I’ve consumed that awesome steak and ate at the big chains without a thought of the poor. Well, maybe the answer to this question is actually right here. How Much Is Enough? Maybe, just maybe, it is enough when we share with those who are less-fortunate and we begin to erase the gap that separates us.
There are reasons to do so. The poor have fewer reasons to waste resources because everything matters that much more to them. They can’t afford to be wasteful. The poor cherish what I and the rich can afford to throw away. And, there are things we all could learn from those who do not have what we do. The less fortunate sometimes do not have to worry about stroke, cancer-causing meats and heart disease because they are not consuming all of their calories from fat. Plus, our world could be greener without all the environmental damage done because of urban sprawl. If we treat our water, food, transportation and use resources with respect; we all can have a better and more self-serving place to live.
I began this with a facetious remark to Alan Durning’s work because I know I have wasted earth’s most precious gifts. I know we are not the worst people on the planet. I believe he has hope in all of us. I am inspired to change my life because of his attention to what matters most. I believe, How Much Is Enough, is when we stop turning a blind eye to those who lack and we start to value life and its available resources. I think it is imperative that we heed this calling and simplify our lives, just like those who do not have much. Over consumption does not make us happy, and neither does seeing poverty. Sometimes, having just “enough” is enough and this is what matters.
References
Shi, E. David (1985) The Simple Life: Plain Living and High Thinking in American
Culture- Chp. (1, 2, and 6)
Simple Living In A Complex Age 