I'm not sure how meaning differs whether one lives simply or not. I like John Mackey's (Whole Foods co-founder ) quote about his own beliefs - "Life is short, we are just passing through and we are all going to die. None of this stuff lasts so why be attached to too much? What matters to me is fulffilling my own purpose in life, loving people and being a good person." Not sure what defines a "good person" though I think we know what he is aiming at with this statement. I know that personally I get satisfaction from feeling useful to/needed by my family, friends, coworkers and strangers.