When Less Is Really Better

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“There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less.” ― G.K. Chesterton

Life is moving in slow motion for me these days. For the first time in many years I have the luxury of enjoying summer, spending time with my mom, family and friends. It’s a big switch for me, multi- tasker that I am, as I am used to cramming as much as I can into my waking hours. It was nothing for me to go non stop from 7am until 10pm at night, rarely stopping long enough to catch my breath in between. My sister Mary said to me once, “Jo, you’re making us all look bad.”

These days, it is life without much of an agenda. It is freeing really to have a minimal schedule and plenty of time to work on small projects. And, the bonus to all this is I am living on a lot less money than I used to. My needs have become very simple. I tried to figure it out the other day, what was it that was really different? First, I am just not buying stuff like I used to. Second, I am content with a lot less.

DSC_0162Part of this I can attribute to grace and age. As I truly work on embracing life from the standpoint of a spiritual journey, material things have become less and less important. As I get older I feel like I am truly embracing what my mother Katherine has always set an example of- that less is really better. Bigger, fancier and complicated just means more expensive, more maintenance, more potential aggravation. Make more money and we spend more money. Easy and simple I’m finding is really the way to go. Pare things down, decide what’s really important, ease back and enjoy it.

The bonus to all this less is more attitude is more time and energy, and a bit of extra money for what I feel most passionate about. The ability to decide what’s really important bestows a true attitude of generosity in so many other ways. Ways that can really make a difference.

Thanks again to my daughter Michelene for these beautiful photos!

What’s your simplest pleasure? I’d love to know!

It's nice to share. Thank you.

17 Replies to “When Less Is Really Better”

  1. These words are very pertinent tonight as I have been watching a programme about hoarders who are completely overwhelmed by their possessions. I didn’t watch all of it because I find this type of programme disturbing. But possessions, and the need for possessions, can undermine anyone’s life so easily. My simplest pleasures are a good walk, a cuddle with the dog or curling up in bed with a book that I have been longing to read all day.

    1. I find those hoarding shows disturbing too so I don’t watch them. You are right my dear, possessions can undermine a life when they take over. I love your simple pleasures and can identify with them all. Blessings!

  2. Sounds wonderful, Joanne. Less stress, and more balance sounds Divine…really Divine. Meditative post, always. Peace and love to you, my dear one.

    Blessings,
    Marianne xo

  3. I have not commented yet because I am still contemplating my simplest pleasure. My life is in such turmoil right now, I think it might be that extra 30 minutes of sleep in the morning that I give up for ‘me’ time. That time where I am not responsible for anyone. That time that used to be coffee time, but coffee has now been replaced by a product called Thrive. Coffee and Thrive together is too much caffeine and the Thrive gets me further longer, haha! For some reason, coffee started nauseating me anyway. I NEVER thought I would give up coffee…EVER! I still drink it on occasion.

  4. Thank you for another (always!) inspiring post. Recently I drew a bath and was overwhelmed with a gratitude that comes from understanding and acknowledging how many others on the planet, right now, cannot enjoy such a seemingly simple pleasure. I did not fill the bath too full, and I cherished every moment. I soaked and washed with handmade soap and captured some of the bath water in a large bucket for sharing with the huge spruce trees out front. Why not? They seem to always be thirsty and a small amount of beeswax-soap residue wouldn’t be too uncomfortable for those thirsty roots, I am sure. Thank you for sharing another one of your beautifully well written posts, which always inspire me.
    Hugs of gratitude, Gina

    1. Hi Gina, it is always great to hear from you and I love your inspiring posts as well! What a lovely thing to think of while bathing. I also try and remember that others are not as fortunate as I and the simple things I take for granted are luxuries in other parts of the world.
      I love handmade soap and I’m sure your spruce trees didn’t mind a bit! xo Joanne

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