Choosing Voluntary Simplicity » Personal Development

How You Choose To Spend Your Time

Shirley — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:14:54 +0000

Think about how often we all regretfully say that we don't have the time to do "something" (you fill in the blank). What we're actually saying is that whatever this "something" is, we aren't giving it a top priority in our lives. Not enough time... or not a priority. There's a big difference there.

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Can People Who Live Simply Have Nice Things?

Shirley — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:48:24 +0000

It's important to save for retirement. It's sensible to have an emergency fund. It's essential to live within your income and not go into debt. But where did the idea come from that people who are frugal and live simply can't have nice things? Or that they should feel guilty if they buy something new?

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“Kindness Is Like Snow”

Shirley — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:07:25 +0000

Kindness is like snow...

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Some Thoughts About Raising Free Range Chickens

Shirley — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:16:09 +0000

We have had week after week of near-zero temperatures during the day and considerably below-zero temperatures during the night. We have also had an unusually large number of snowstorms and the snow on the ground is very deep.

So it is incomprehensible to me that until one day last week, two families in this area were leaving their chickens outside in this cold and snow... day and night... without any access to shelter of any kind.

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The Biggest Obstacle to a Simpler, Truly Fulfilling Life

Shirley — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:23:57 +0000

"From your experience, what would you say is the biggest obstacle that people have to living a simpler, truly fulfilling life?"

A reader asked me this question a few days ago, and I think my answer would have to be one word... "inertia." The prospect of a lifestyle change is so overwhelming for most people, they are understandably afraid to take that first step. I hear from so many people who really want to live more simply, BUT... and I mean this seriously... they're making "simple living" too complicated.

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Does Less “Stuff” Equal Happiness?

Shirley — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:49:55 +0000

Most of us would agree that a materialistic life is not a fulfilling one. More clothes, bigger houses, the latest electronic gadgets, newer and flashier cars... these things might bring temporary enjoyment, but a life based around acquiring things can feel pretty empty. The reason is simple... "stuff" doesn't equal happiness.

So what about the idea that many people have nowadays that less stuff equals happiness? It's really the same mindset carried to the opposite extreme. One group thinks that buying another new thing will make life better... one more purchase will make life happier. The other group thinks that ridding themselves of another existing possession will make life better... one more act of purging will make life happier.

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