One of my favourite quotes on simplicity from the incomparable John Lane:
"A life of simplicity is always relative; friends who have chosen to grow most of their own food and live a frugal existence are affluent in comparison with the austerities of, say, a landless Indian peasant or a medieval Celtic saint. They own furniture and books, suffer no shortage of food, and may even go on holidays. So in proposing the importance of simple living I am not referring to a life of penury but one that hs has turned its back on the wasteful consumer lifestyle, one that seeks to avoid the sense of dissatisfaction and unrealised potential inherent in a life of purely material excess, one that takes the middle way between self-indulgent opulence and a distressing material poverty. "Voluntary simplicity," I wrote in Timeless Simplicity, "is a pathway towards the maintenance of a life that is comfortable but not luxurious, frugal but not pinching, decent but not boring: one that seeks to discard the specialist's divisions between work and life, art and everyday activity."
I read that and feel inspired to do more towards living a simpler life, although I am doing much more than a lot of people towards downshifting, simplicity, spiritual awareness and living lightly on the earth - it's not enough, though, and I feel a sea change is imminent in my personal endeavours towards a simpler life.
Sea change - A radical, and apparently mystical, change
Unbought Delicacies - one woman's journey towards self-reliance, creative living and simplicity in uncertain times.........
its so important not to get into a rut,many do,they tick that box & that box & then settle back & cease evolving :oS.
ReplyDeleteLifes about always changing,always seeking a better,simpler way to live it. I look forward to seeing where your sea change takes you x
I agree, with you both :) We could all do with a little simplicity in our lives.
ReplyDeleteKim x
I love John Lane, newly discovered thanks to his being talked about on the forum. The beginning of the book where a man does enough to make sure his and his family's needs are met but spends the rest of the time relaxing is somewhere I want to be.
ReplyDeleteI also feel on the cusp of some kind of precipice, about to tip over to some new area in my life, forever challenging myself and striving towards a better place. Look forward to hearing about your sea change too. :)