To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer." Mahatma Gandhi
Be nice whenever possible. It's always possible. HH Dalai Lama
In a world where you can be anything - be kind. Unknown
"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it--every, every minute?" Emily Webb, Our Town
www.silententry.wordpress.com
To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer." Mahatma Gandhi
Be nice whenever possible. It's always possible. HH Dalai Lama
In a world where you can be anything - be kind. Unknown
Well, if I'm thinking about non-documentaries, one of my very favorite simple living movies is A Home of Our Own. It was made in 1993 and starred Kathy Bates, and I just LOVE that movie.
"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it--every, every minute?" Emily Webb, Our Town
www.silententry.wordpress.com
May I add a blog listing that was just sent me? It is an interesting blog in general but he discusses the limitations or challenges of making life simpler in this link. That may be why some struggle to simplify.
https://fs.blog/2020/10/why-life-cant-be-simpler/
As Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.”
For a dreary winter day lift I might suggest a New Zealand movie called "Hunt for the Wilderpeople". It's a comedy/drama about an abandoned young troubled city teen who is relocated to a remote farm with foster parents. He has to readjust his city ways to a slower lifestyle without some of the city comforts. Some nice country scenery and great musical score. Not exactly a simple living theme, but maybe in the general area. Streaming on Netflix, highly rated on rotten tomatoes. I really liked it. Since I thought of it I'm watching it again.
comment on the blog link: Interesting but I will confess that as I started reading the blog, I found even his explanations of why something that appears simple to a user is not really simple but actually complex - complex. I did not finish the blog entry. Want a simple file folder system? Label the file,, open the drawer, put it in the drawer. For most people, If you are using computer technology, one doesn't usually care about the behind the scenes programming - just the simplicity of the user interface. my ultimate conclusion is that he is missing the point of simpicity as I think we are using the concept here. Again just my opinion and admitting that I didn't even finish reading. Interested in hearing other opinions.
Edited to add: on my tablet and auto correct stinks! So, yes, it may look like my post is continually changing. Definitely not simple!!! Lol
To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer." Mahatma Gandhi
Be nice whenever possible. It's always possible. HH Dalai Lama
In a world where you can be anything - be kind. Unknown
I agree it's a very good film, but mostly about rebellion against his parents and their lifestyle by becoming a homeless wanderer, hippie, migrant farm worker, etc on his way to his actual dream of living in the wilderness, which he was indeed somewhat unprepared for. And his biggest mistake was that he had the resources available to learn what he needed to know but didn't start trying to really learn them until he desperately needed to use the information. That's a mistake a lot of people make; instead of learning and rehearsing in small, safe ways before they really need a skill, they think "I've got a book, and when I need to do this I'll just do what the book says." That was a big reason so many Mother Earth News type back-to-the-landers failed when they tried to jump from city life to living on a small homestead farm in the 70s/80s.
Somewhat off topic, but if you like wilderness survival stuff read Jack London's "To Build A Fire". Free downloadable PDF:https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...1FNbNLOv6B3Hce
I consider myself a 'Simplifier" on my way to Essentialism (using that term the same way the book "Essentialism - The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg McKeown defined it.)
To be a bit more specific by giving examples:
Marie Kondo says some very smart and useful things; but she also talks to her socks, is obsessive-compulsive, and her mantra to not have anything in your house that doesn't "spark joy" would require tossing out the diaper pail, the 2020 income tax forms, and various other things that don't spark joy but are a practical necessity of modern life.
So we turn to the tried and true motto of William Morris's "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." That's great advice, but even being surrounded by things that are beautiful can be over done. If you love clown sculptures but you have to add two rooms to your house to display them all.... you may be overdoing it.
So we come to Minimalism. As it is commonly misunderstood, minimalism means having nothing in your house (or your life) that isn't absolutely necessary for survival, and you should get rid of the house as well if you can. But in it's true form, minimalism is closer to Essentialism or to Voluntary Simplicity. Minimalism embraces a range of lifestyles, but the extremists somehow seem to get all the publicity.
So we move on to Essentialism which is commonly misunderstood as just a different name for Minimalism, and unfortunately a lot of books and articles on the subject present it that way --as though everything you own and everything you do in every waking moment of your life absolutely must serve a utilitarian purpose and must be moving you toward your ultimate triumphant goal! (Hogwash!)
As defined by McKeown in his excellent book, essentialism means letting go of everything in your life that doesn't contribute to your health, happiness, and contentment. Various chapters explain that getting enough sleep is essential, eating nutritious food you enjoy is essential, spending quality time with your friends and family is essential, an enjoyable spiritual life is essential, having enough time to play and exercise and just plain loaf around is essential. And oh by the way, focusing like a laser on the things that will move you most efficiently toward your financial, career, and other goals is essential too, but it's only one part of the big picture, and not the most important part.
I'm 71 and the older I get the more I want to essentialize by eliminating objects and habits and thoughts and activities that no longer serve my real goals (if they ever did) and by bringing things into my life that will serve my needs better. For example going to a restaurant is simpler than learning how to cook better and what to eat for better health, but which of those two options will best serve my essential nutritional and financial and brain stimulation needs?
I've only touched the surface here on this very complex subject of all the competing voices and confusingly vague terminology people who try to simplify run into, but you get the idea. As I said in that other thread, there are more books and videos and articles on any given aspect of simplicity than any one person could reasonably watch or read, so I always appreciate a thoughtful review of what resources someone found useful and why.
Two of my favorite movies are Baby Boom, where Diane Keaton leaves the rat race and moves to Vermont, and Funny Farm, similar kind of theme. They both feature people who simplify their lives in that they leave the city and move to a much more appealing place. They achieve a comfortable and fulfilling life, which to me is much simpler than being unhappy living in a high stress environment.
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