tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78095244141859241072024-02-08T14:48:17.868-06:00Living Lean and GreenMinimalism carries baggage as a lifestyle description. Living lean and green, though, describes a responsible, yet rich alternative lifestyle. This blog provides you with essential discussions on how to live minimally, yet live richly.
I also invite you to take a peek at my latest book, The Last Drop of Living: A minimalist's Guide to Living the High Life on a Low Budget. Visit the links to Amazon, Kindle or CreateSpace for more information.Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-87588069963926820582021-03-05T09:54:00.000-06:002021-03-05T09:54:00.385-06:00Can a Minimalist Survive In A Household of Materialism?<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal">A few weeks ago, my spouse purchased a Fitbit to track her
workouts and her vitals. Neither of us had owned anything similar prior and had
relied on cell phone apps to track exercise. Both of us were enthralled with
the device.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next week, I spent several hours reviewing various
fitness watches with the intention of purchasing one for myself. From $400
units, I worked my way down to a few $60 ones, aware that I was sacrificing
quality and name recognition in exchange for a reasonable price on a gadget
that would address my particular wants.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I point out that these were “wants,” not “needs.” The
features that each of the final three watches had were the same features that I
already had on my cell phone app, with the exception of heart rate and sleep
patterns. However, the watch would always be with me, tracking my movements.
And, it was somewhat stylish – a marker that I had some prestige and that I was
concerned abut my fitness.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was at this stage that I realized that I was falling into
the material trap.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If I wanted to track my sleep, I could do so by recognizing
when I was tire, when I was awake, what triggers were involved in any insomnia
episodes and so on. If I wanted my heart rate, I could press my thumb to the
veins on my wrist and count. And, when I had a cheap fitness watch on my wrist,
there would always be others who would point out the superiority of their
watches. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In reality, I only wanted the watch for vanity purposes and
to keep up with my spouse and her friends, who had similar units. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That is the trap of materialism, encapsulated in a simple
techie gadget. We want, and, most often, we wat because others have. But do we
need? A minimalist lifestyle is constructed around the idea that we can enjoy
more, with less. Without the watch, I make myself more aware of my own self and
body rhythms, less aware of what others are showing off as their latest
possessions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My spouse is not overly material. However, she does like her
assortment of clothes and jewellery. And it is easy to follow that path,
without recognizing it. Last year, I cleaned my own closet, donating in excess
of two dozen items of clothing. Some, I had not worn. Others, I had worn less
than five times. Others were very similar to shirts and pants that I already
owned. How had this happened?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Like most of us, I love a deal. Almost every item had been
purchased, over the prior ten years, at a minimum of fifty or sixty percent off
regular price. But I hadn’t needed them. Again, when I shopped with my spouse,
she would see these deals and convince me that they were too good to resist.
Then, I would take the item back to the rack and find a cheaper one. Still, I
was buying needlessly.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A friend recently donated two of her husband’s three-thousand-dollar
suits to charity. He had not worn them in a few years, but loathed discarding
them. She was able to convince him that they were worth nothing of he did not
wear them and, if donated to a charitable group, someone would get use out of them.
He agreed, Somewhere in the city, a homeless person may be wearing a $3000
outfit!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is difficult to resist the urge to acquire, but the most
effective way to do so is to pause (maybe even for a day or so), and reflect on
whether we are satisfying a need or a want.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am no suggesting we shun all our wants. But, effective
minimalism enables us to prioritize our wants, so that we can obtain what we
value the most in our lives, at the least cost to benefit ratio. Let the family
live the way they choose, but walk your own path regarding your material needs.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-85987800411648837042014-03-20T08:49:00.000-05:002014-03-20T08:49:06.493-05:00Barter Best For Living SimplyIn the 1800s, the barter, pledge and sharing networks formed the backbone of the economy of many small communities in North America. These networks often were based on family connections, but also found strong support in community development. Today, particularly in the USA, such cooperatives are viewed, at best, as socialistic, and at worst, communistic. It is unfortunate that we allow the label to define the concept, and, in turn, allow great ideas to be discarded because we chose to pigeonhole them.<br />
<br />
Barter networks have regained some of their former popularity in restricted circles, and cooperatives, in general, have found niche appeal. Their implementation, though, could have been employed effectively to mitigate the impact of the 2008 economic downturn. Sharing networks have become the domain of eco-freaks and urban environmentalists, who focus on community-owned bicycles and other transportation assets. Unfortunately, our evolved innate distrust of those that we do not know, and our fear of losing material assets have led us to reject the concept of sharing and pledging as too Utopian to work.<br />
<br />
Barter systems, today, most commonly rely upon the business members to provide most of the goods and services that are traded or banked to keep the network functioning. While many programs have city, country or world-wide membership, an effective local barter network can be developed with ease. Think of the old country doctor, as an example. Often, the fee for his work was paid in livestock or food. Travelling repair handymen could count on room and board in exchange for a day's work. Neither of these would be considered retailers or manufacturing businesses.<br />
<br />
I belonged, for several years, to a local barter network with international reach, through its affiliate program. I could trade off services that I provided for restaurant meals, business services, auto repairs and even travel. While it proved to be quite valuable for me, it had limitations. Only those with a marketable asset could participate. Yet, I often bought goods privately, and found that there was no capacity for one-on-one, personal trading and banking. There was no structural reason for this; merely a philosophical one.<br />
<br />
While working as a rural business development specialist, I structured a community-driven barter system that enabled every member of that community to participate. When I concluded my work with the community, however, no one was willing to take on the task of maintaining interaction lists between members. Yet, as the network would grow, it would be capable of providing an income stream for whoever chose to operate the system.<br />
<br />
Barter networks require one essential ingredient, aside from the capacity to input something of value to the group that can be traded or banked. Each member must be willing to input a reasonable value of goods or services, to be banked, thus eliminating the "trust me, I'm good for it" factor. That good faith gesture often hampers the growth of barter networks, yet should be viewed as its strength, because the input of something when joining means that there is a liquid asset to the operation, creating value. In the alternative, barter networks require small cash inputs and contractual indebtedness to ensure viability.<br />
<br />
Many look at barter systems skeptically, assuming that they must be somehow illegal. In fact, they are not only legal, but are recognized by the tax systems of all major democratic countries. That, sadly, means that the value of goods traded is taxable. There are some minor concessions allowed, though, that enable the free trade of goods and services in a non-business environment.<br />
<br />
Sharing programs, like barter systems, require an element of trust, but also require the charitable (or in-faith) inputs of key members. Sharing programs generally have been limited to urban bicycle-sharing groups, or even automobile pooling, but may be designed to share almost anything, including technology, apartments, equipment and even vacations (think "timeshare"). These programs generally operate as true cooperatives, but offer very viable ways to reduce individual costs while maintaining lifestyles.<br />
<br />
Pledge systems are similar to barter network, with the major difference being that items or services are pledged at a future date, while gaining the benefit that you desire today. Some of the community-built or Habitat-style housing projects operate on that premise.<br />
<br />
Should you desire more information as to how to set up and operate any of these systems, contact the writer.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-51135330057364152012013-01-16T18:03:00.000-06:002013-01-16T18:03:42.740-06:00Food and Dining Out The Minimalist Way<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hands off my food!” you say, when I suggest that you can
trim an extra 5% off your grocery and meal costs. Yet, those savings can be so subtle that you
hardly will notice the difference.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have a penchant for lists, it seems, and the process of
“going lean” on your meals requires another list, or, at least, a record. But it is simple. All you need to do is to compile a total cost
for your in-home meals, and a total cost for your dining out costs, for a
period of six months. This can be done
easily, if you always pay for these items with credit or debit cards. I recommend two subtotals (one for each
section) and an overall combined total.
Divide by six to get your typical monthly costs for in-home food items
and dining out events (including alcohol). Your target costs will be 5% less
than the total average. Some months, you
may exceed slightly, but by closely monitoring every cost, you can compensate
in other months.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first series of suggestions focuses upon away-from-home
meals.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When ordering alcohol (either at a lounge, restaurant or for
a social evening at a friend’s home), alternate between an alcoholic and a
non-alcoholic beverage. At a typical cost
of $4-7 per alcoholic drink ($2-3 for non-alcoholic), four drinks per evening,
one evening per week out, you will saving $48 per month. To save an additional $3-4 per week, consider
having your first alcoholic drink at home, instead of at the event.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By eliminating one meal away from home per month, you will
save $40-50 per couple. Instead of
always dining at fancy restaurants, mix a fast food place into the mix. Sometimes, these meals can even be less
expensive than eating at home. Drop one
cup of exotic (or regular) coffee from your purchases each week, or substitute
one regular coffee for the usual latte. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many restaurants and entertainment venues offer discounts of
10-15% for groups of 10 or more, so party with larger groups of friends
occasionally, and arrange, in advance, for the group discount. Use coupons and specials frequently. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second series of recommendations evaluates ways to
adjust your food buying habits to cut costs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Consider buying on Mondays. These are slower days, and
often, culled produce or meats are available at great discounts, yet still are
fresh. Saturday evenings see the array
of grocery items depleted, but there may be great deals available, too. Buy products that are in season. This does not just apply to produce. Turkey, ham and fish all have better pricing
at specific times of the year. Produce
can be frozen and stored for several months, if prepared properly. During the off season, frozen vegetables and
canned vegetables generally offer the best prices. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While there is no doubt that “buying local” offers great
benefit to area producers, there is some doubt as to whether the policy is
financially beneficial to consumers.
Certainly, mass-produced products are less expensive per unit, but there
is an abundance of evidence that there are losses in nutrition benefits in many cases. The prevalence of contaminated food recalls
attests to the risk of “assembly line” food production. If you opt to cut costs here, be certain that
you know the tradeoffs involved. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bulk buying and participating in buying groups or
cooperatives is a common strategy for cutting costs, but these options are not
always available to urban residents.
Instead, look to buying multiples of items when those multiple unit
purchases result in savings. A corollary
to this principle, though, is the need for caution when buying “family size”
units, versus smaller sizes. Many times,
the 3-pound tub of margarine, for example, is more costly per unit than 1-pound
tubs. Comparing toilet tissue purchases
is even more difficult, since single versus double rolls, or 12 versus fifteen
rolls per pack do not give accurate means for evaluating value. Each manufacturer puts different numbers of
sheets per roll in their product, making apple-to-apple comparisons tough to do
“on the fly.” Even more confusing is
that each sheet is a different size, or may be one, two or three ply. Watch
cost per unit, and know specifically what each unit may be.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, I move to suggestions for trimming costs at home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Start by cutting back on serving size. I used to use one chicken filet per meal,
regardless of the size. Before long, I
found that one-half a medium filet was adequate, and any trimmings left over
could be used in stir frys. Then, I consumed only one half a baked potato at
each dinner, instead of a whole one. A
half cup of vegetables is sufficient for the average person, instead of a full
cup. The list goes on. At breakfast, for example, substitute a half
slice of whole wheat toast for the usual full slice of white toast, and feel
just as full.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Substitute one of your large afternoon snacks for two small
ones, consisting of a handful of nuts and a piece of fruit, instead of a
pastry, specialty coffee and another side dish. Cut your home coffee costs by
saving excess prepared coffee and storing it in the refrigerator. Use a reusable coffee k-cup (Keurig brand
name), instead of the throwaway one-coffee unit. Bring your own snacks to work,
and save money, in addition to enjoying snacks that are not readily available
on the job.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Prepare many meals in advance, and freeze them. Use culled fruit and overripe bananas for
baking, or in composite desserts. These
produce items often are available at 75% off regular prices.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While this discussion of how to trim 5% from your food
budget is far from exhaustive, it provides a very workable guide to saving
money. And where can this money be
directed? Anywhere you choose, from
holidays to charitable giving. Even
though your food expenditures still will provide you with filling and nutritious
meals, the ability to direct another 5-10% of your budget to worthwhile areas
will prove to be fulfilling, instead of just filling! </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-23439643281960548672013-01-08T15:48:00.000-06:002013-01-08T15:48:11.753-06:00Magnifying Your Money<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where I call home, we have people who pay $10,000 for a
snowmobile, so they can spend $400 per month on fuel while they tear around the
countryside dressed in insulated snowsuits (to keep out the cold) for three
months a year in minus 30 weather. Then,
in the summer, they skip across Lake Winnipeg for another three months of the
year in $25,000 boats, spending $400 per year on dock privileges and another
$1,200 on fuel. To get their favourite
toys where they want, they haul them around in $55,000 trucks, spending $800
per month on fuel and $300 per month on insurance. But they also complain about being poor!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The problem with this incongruity is that they may be
correct. Poor is a relative state of
mind. I was raised in a household where
the annual income never exceeded $3,800 in any year, and averaged
$1,500-2,000. Yet, we were not
poor. I had the most wonderful Huck Finn
childhood. Around us, the rich families
earned $12-15,000 per year. The rest of
our province – hell, the rest of our country – branded those elite wealthy of
our community as poverty-stricken. Of
course, our province was officially listed by the rest of Canada as one of the
half-dozen “have-not” provinces in the dominion. But wouldn’t the entire population of Haiti
think they were in Paradise if they each earned $1,500 per year? Yes, poverty and wealth are relative.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The issue of wealth really has nothing to do with
money. It has to do with quality,
priorities and preferences. Quality, like wealth, is not defined objectively,
either. Instead, the essence of quality
is the purpose intended of an item or event versus the cost (money or effort
inputted) of that item. A $1 spatula,
intended to be used twice at a family barbeque, may have more relative quality
than a $15 platinum spatula, used ten times.
Priorities, again, are subjective, and are determined by evaluating
cost, benefit and urgency. A twenty-five
year-old probably will value an $85 concert ticket for his favourite band over the
$85 invested at 5% interest and used as retirement money, even though that $85
would be worth $570 by the time the person turned 65. Preferences require a personal consideration,
as well. The same twenty-five year old
may value his guitar at $300 and his band concert ticket at $85, but a chance
to have a guitar signed by the band bass guitar player may be worth more than
the sum of the two; many times more. I
prefer red wine to white, even though they are priced equivalently. My red wine, the twenty-five year old’s signed
guitar and the barbeque host’s $1 spatula may each represent a form of wealth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having presented my case for the idiosyncratic definition of
wealth versus poverty, my own interpretation of how to become wealthy without
money may well be an easy case to make.
The synopsis of this concept is that we can find the money for almost
anything that is truly important to us and that all we need to do is pare down
to the core of what we find to be important to us, in order to slough off the
excess of what is not vital.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me take a sharp right turn in this conversation. One of the recent hot political topics is the
99% versus the 1% in the USA , and the debate over the disparity in relative
earnings of the top 1% of income earners against the bottom 99%. Achieving what we 99 percenters want, for the
most part, may be accomplished simply by uncovering an extra 2% of disposable
income. We may not be able to build a
$12m mansion, but, after we complete our economic soul-searching, find our
priorities and establish our preferences, we can attain our own personal
definition of wealth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will discuss how to free up another five percent on your
food budget, 10% on your clothing and toiletries, 5-10% on your household
upkeep, 10-20% on gifts, and so on.
Perhaps you, too, would like your own snowmobile or boat, or like to
enjoy the winter in a tropical climate.
Perhaps you would like to make a difference to the environment or global
poverty issues. This, too, may be
possible. Simply, we will redefine
wealth, and show you how you already have the capacity to be richer than you
thought possible.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-90091216255262554622012-12-21T12:51:00.000-06:002012-12-21T13:07:49.299-06:00The Cruisin’ Minimalist<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I view minimalist art, I do not appraise it and
declare, “That’s not minimalism. It’s
not doing without.” In fact, the idea
that minimalism is about focusing on that which we relinquish or don’t have is
an entirely distorted perspective on simplicity. Minimalist art does without nothing. It is akin to the old wood carver, who was
asked how he decided what to carve out of his length of raw wood. His reply was simple. “I merely look at the wood, and see what is
in there. Then I just get rid of the
stuff that doesn’t belong.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have heard this analogy before, in various settings. Minimalism focuses on finding what should be
there, and nothing more, whether it involves interior design, business operations
or lifestyles. I regularly read blogs
and articles by those who espouse minimalism, simple living, voluntary
simplicity and frugal living. Many of
those writers espouse getting rid of stuff, and living with less. This seems intuitive, since minimal implies
living with the minimum of something. I, too, consider myself to be a
minimalist. I have relatively few
household possessions, keep my wardrobe to the most basic, have forfeited our
second vehicle, shop for bargains, employ those assets that can do double duty,
and so on. These all are tenets of
voluntary simplicity, as it is commonly accepted. Yet, I also indulge myself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Minimal art does the same.
Minimalist art decries the clutter of unnecessary elements, and, in
turn, highlights the focus, and the most significant facets of the work. In my book, The Last Drop Of Living: A
Minimalist’s Guide To Living The High Life On A Low Budget, I draw the
comparison between minimal living and displays in an art gallery or
museum. The focal piece on the gallery
is not hidden by an assortment of frivolous support pieces. Instead, it likely will be found on a
pedestal apart from other pieces, or on a naked wall, featuring only that
artwork. It is the most critical
component, the only element that matters.
It is not diminished by being alone.
Rather, it is enhanced.
Minimalism should allow us to find the most important things in our life,
and focus upon them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With that in mind, I built my personal strategy for “going
minimal.” It involved a very basic
process: decide what is important to me, and what is unimportant. Next, I opted to relinquish those things and ideas that may have value,
but that were less vital than others.
Both my wife and I chose to focus on our leisure as vital to our
enjoyment. Essential to those
recreational priorities was the idea of cruising.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, I write this blog on board the @Norwegian Pearl, as we
leave the Grand Stirrup Cay for our next Caribbean destination. How is such a lavish holiday
“minimalist?” Simple. In exchange for giving up frequent dinner-out
evenings, a second vehicle, extra home furnishings, a big house, etc., we are
able to apply some of our surplus resources to a great holiday. It is the second of four cruises we will have
taken within the year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But sacrificing in one area of living and then splurging in
another is like saying, “Well, I stuck to my ‘no smoking’ pledge for six
months, so now I’m going to celebrate by having a huge cigar, or overeating for
the next six months.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a dedicated minimalist, I need to show restraint in the area of my holidays, as
well, if I wish to avoid my own internal dissonance. So, I cruise minimally, as well. Websites like @www.vacationstogo.com (+<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; white-space: nowrap;">mmilheim@vacationstogo.com)</span>, @www.cruisedirect.com, individual
cruise line websites (like +www.ncl.com (@<span style="background-color: white; color: #555555; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: nowrap;">NorwegianCruiseLine@email.ncl.com)</span>) and several other discount providers offer discounts that
may be as much as 80% off the brochure price.
By screening carefully, one can boast of significant savings, and demonstrations
of frugality. By purchasing in a 90 day
window prior to sailing, prices may drop further. By booking inside staterooms, you are able to
obtain rock-bottom prices (inside staterooms, after all, are only used for
eight hours each night, while the rest of our time is spent on shore or on
deck.).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I factor in the cost of food, entertainment and supplies,
plus the cost of accommodations, I discover that each day on a cruise costs
less than the cost of a budget motel room each night!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ask the more rigid advocates of minimalism whether we truly
can be considered to be living a life of voluntary simplicity and you will
receive a resounding “No.” That’s fair
enough. They see the world differently
than I do. But tell me, would you rather
live in a cardboard box, eat scraps and proclaim yourself a minimalist, or
would you prefer to get the most out of each moment at the best price while
being ostracized by the self-professed puritans? Live minimally. Cruise to your heart’s content!</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-52365485978256399022012-12-01T20:20:00.000-06:002012-12-01T20:20:05.600-06:00Minimalism In The Big City<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Voluntary simplicity and minimal living have great cachet in
today’s fragile economic times. Frugal
living is nothing new, and simple living has bee the mainstay of many
environmentally aware people for decades.
However, the concept has not gained widespread acceptance for a variety
of reasons, not the least of which is the tendency to look to rural living or
escaping from the “big city” standards
of living as the primary technique for achieving a simple lifestyle. Yet, living minimally actually is easier to
undertake in urban centres, even though the social pressures to conform to more
materialistic lifestyles are significant.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Living with less is the primary focus of this lifestyle,
but, in truth, the most gratifying aspect of cutting back on frills is the
ability to focus on the most important aspects of our lives. That is unique to each of us, yet proponents
of the way of living too often urge us to adopt their own perspectives and
interpretations of simple living. It is
far from an accurate or satisfying approach.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My wife and I opted to live in a yurt, off the grid, for
several years. However, I would never
advocate that everyone else who wants to embrace voluntary simplicity move to a
rural environment, live off the grid or build their own yurt. It was our personal preference.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other acquaintances have employed a more basic approach to
living in the city, without any difficulty and with a lot of enjoyment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the city, one has greater access to options than in the
country, and greater opportunities to employ alternative strategies to reduce
ownership while increasing enjoyment of assets and activities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the greatest materialistic and economic burdens is
the automobile. Yet, any owner will tell
you that the car is essential to daily life.
There are several options, however, to reduce reliance on personal
ownership of a vehicle in the city.
While public transportation is the most frequently cited substitute,
other alternatives include “car sharing” (where owners either opt for specific
times of the day or days of the week to use a shared vehicle), commuter vehicles (mopeds, etc), bicycles,
weekend vehicle rentals (or on-demand rentals) and seasonal leasing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, to reduce the need for a vehicle, simply either
move closer to work or search for a job closer to home!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the 1970s, many young people (most often, young men) cut
housing costs by sharing a house. The
modern-day extension of this concept is for homeowners who wish to cut housing
costs to lease out rooms or share the house with other renters.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the vein of shared housing, consider sharing other
entertainment assets. On average, a
video or DVD is viewed fewer than three times, yet millions of us buy and store
vast collections of movies. Similarly, print
books gather dust on the shelves after one or two readings. Why not develop an exchange program with
friends, passing these movies, CDs and books or magazines among the members of
the group. Lower cost, greater reach of
each piece of entertainment! Even many
e-books can be shared or “loaned” on Amazon and other e-book vendors. Hundreds of thousands of free songs and books
are available, legally.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Inexpensive entertainment can become free entertainment, if
you opt for “open house” days at local zoos, art galleries, museums and even
local high school drama productions. In
summer, most cities offer myriad free entertainment, including bands, dance
groups and theatre.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many places offer discounts for groups of six or more people. Inquire as to whether the entertainment venue
that you wish to visit will provide a bulk rate, and then arrange for a group
outing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Weekly visits to restaurants form the backbone of the food
service industry. However, home-based
parties provide a much more relaxed atmosphere.
Consider arranging for a regular rotation of hosted dinner parties (e.g.
each member of a group of eight hosts once every two months). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are hundreds of ways to minimize costs while
simplifying your life in the big city.
Most rely on the principle of owning less, or getting more mileage out
of each possession. Be creative, and the
need to own will become less of an addiction, or even a craving. At the same time, you will find that your
budget dollars last much longer!</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-50255019983620443892012-11-16T13:12:00.000-06:002012-11-16T13:12:12.870-06:00Lean, As Well As Green, Living Combines Best Of Each Concept<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
A popular lifestyle trend, advocated by many who profess to
live responsibly, is the voluntary simplicity movement. In its raw form, minimal living requires that
we eschew material wealth, and look to a standard of living that involves the
least amount of possessions. Simultaneously,
the environmental movement demands that we create the smallest
eco-footprint that we can, guarding the environment preciously. Both lifestyles
appear to have much in common, yet, oddly, there is only a nominal effort to
blend the two together.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is vociferous opposition to the eco-friendly concept
by those that seek to deny the reality of climate change. The anti-tree hugger groups gravitate toward
the argument that, since global warming is a myth (or, at best, not caused by
human actions), there is no need to spend effort on protecting the ecology of
the earth. These people miss the point
of being eco-friendly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I live a modest lifestyle, yet do not begrudge those that
have wealth and show it. The premise
built into the anti-environment people’s argument is that, if what they do will
cause no serious harm, then there is no reason to discontinue being
disrespectful and selfish regarding pollution problems. Extrapolating that
argument to the middle/upper income situation then, I should be able to simply
take what I want from those who have affluence, simply because it will have no
monetary impact on them. Even more to
the point, I should be able to walk into the anti-climate change proponents’ homes
and dump whatever garbage and pollution I want in their back yard, because the
filth will not impact on the environment.
The fact is, whether or not my actions harm the environment, I should
act responsibly as much as possible, including taking care to not impact on
others’ enjoyment of the world around them!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Living a green lifestyle simply says that I want to enjoy
this earth, but that I do not need to be wasteful to do so. I want to take only what I need on this
globe, not what I want. I choose to live
cleanly and simply, as much as possible.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those that embrace the minimalist approach to living often
are labelled as harshly as “tree huggers” by those that think that we choose to
live this lifestyle because we have nothing, and want others to do the same. I
have been told that most of us choose this way of living because, if we have
little in the way of material wealth, we don’t have to work as hard to get
it. In essence, I am being told that I
choose voluntary simplicity because I am lazy!
It is an intriguing label, given that a) I have developed multi-million
dollar businesses for others, b) have owned (and sold for pennies) a business
that grossed $1.6 million in its second year of business, and c) living
minimally takes a lot of conscious effort and (the horror!) work. Voluntary simplicity says that I do not need
material wealth to generate huge enjoyment out of life. Indeed, it offers a richness for which money
cannot be bartered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Both minimalism and environmentalism seek to embrace living
consciously and enthusiastically, but without taking huge bites out of that
which is available to consume. By doing
so, more is left for others to enjoy.
This idea that “lean” is an ideal to aim toward is not radical, nor
impossible. It is realistic, and hugely
gratifying. Similarly, “going green” is
a fantastic journey, allowing us to take Robert Frost’s road less travelled. He
was so correct when he claimed that doing so “has made all the difference.” Will the world be greener because of me? Who knows?
Will my efforts at living with less pay dividends for others? Possibly not.
Neither matters. The lean and
green living concept offers an option that combines, for me, the epitome of
what I see is my duty. Nothing more,
nothing less.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-69567883738023325272012-11-12T14:28:00.000-06:002012-11-12T14:28:17.037-06:00Simple Minds Or Untapped Genius?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The world waits on our best scientific minds and deep
corporate financial pockets to provide us with solutions to our global energy
crisis. We know that it is only a matter
of time and money before they develop cost-effective solar solutions, and
eliminate our dependence upon fossil fuels.
But the promised alternative energy Nirvana has been long in the
development, with little sign of imminent solution. So why are we waiting on our self-proclaimed
and acknowledged academic and financial geniuses? Stan Ovshinsky already has proven that these
great inventions do not have to originate from huge monetary investments or
conventional intellectuals.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mr. “Call me Stan” Ovshinsky is the guy who invented the
battery that powers most laptop computers, and was the force behind the
invention of hydrogen fuel cells, LCD TV screen technology and electric car
systems, along with being the holder of nearly 1,000 patents. Yet, he never graduated high school.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With this apparent lack of genius, he was able to show that
the conventional theories about semi-conductors were wrong, much to the chagrin
of scientists who scoffed at this nearly uneducated man. Undeterred, Stan and his wife used their
meagre savings to start Energy Conversion Devices, and began developing and
marketing his inventions. His everyday
genius has provided us with incredible breakthroughs in the understanding of
alternative energy concepts. At the age
of 85, he started two new companies, focused upon making solar cell energy less
costly than coal. Unfortunately, he
died, just shy of his 90<sup>th</sup> birthday, with his latest dreams
unfulfilled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is not the intuitive brilliance of his creations that is
Mr. Ovshinsky’s legacy. Rather, it is
the lesson that each of us could learn from his example: every one of us is
capable of contributing to the solutions needed in today’s world, from social
to economic to concrete creations. The
myth that only big money and educated academics are able to solve the complex
issues confronting us has been completely disintegrated because of the
practical example set by Stan Ovchensky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While money may be needed to bring ideas to commercial
fruition, those essential, initial steps – the dreams, ideas and concepts –
require only the application of our own unique perspectives and experiences. It is the combination of these two elements
that germinate the genius within each of us.
Rather than regarding our own meagre contributions as the uniformed
inspirations of a simple mind, we should act upon those insights as if they
were -- all of them – the seeds of the next most marvellous event to change the
world.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-86064297114232306522012-10-25T20:10:00.000-05:002012-10-25T20:10:34.572-05:00Micro-lending, Telephone Banking and M-Pesa For Minimalists<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;">In a part of the world hardly known for its economic
innovations, a revolution in finance offers a concept that is a brilliant
solution for North Americans: M-Pesa.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">M-Pesa is a cellular-telephone money-handling idea
that allows Kenyans to store money on their cell phones, transfer the money
across the country, and avoid costly bank fees in the process. It is a concept that provides a real stimulus
for commerce and micro-business development.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">In other parts of Africa, another innovation – micro-lending
– offers a platform on which budding entrepreneurs with creative ideas and a
commitment to success can build micro- and extremely small businesses through
funding sources that may provide as little as $20 for a business start-up. Yet, this supposedly pathetic funding model
has resulted in financial independence and freedom from abject poverty for
thousands of Africans without access to conventional financing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Ironically, both concepts would work in western
economies, but have been eschewed, largely because they lack the glamour,
polish and complexity of conventional business models held out as being the
most efficient in our North American markets.
Particularly, both schemes are adaptable for those of us who embrace the
minimalistic mantra for living: simple is better. M-Pesa’s equivalent – telephone banking – has
been usurped by the domestic financial community in North America, with, aside
from PayPal, the only significant cellular banking formats being conducted
through one’s existing banking institutions or credit card providers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">M-Pesa has grown beyond Kenya, to countries like South
Africa and Tanzania, where geography and weak banking infrastructure make
access to finances difficult. The concept,
though, allows for users to hold money on their phones, then attend at any of
myriad kiosks in these countries, where they are able to obtain actual cash to
make purchases or pay bills where cellular funds would not be accepted. This component of M-Pesa overlaps into
conventional North American debit systems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Micro-lending, like M-Pesa, has grown out of the
unique, impoverished demands of Africa.
As an option to no funding whatever, or worse, loan sharks, workers can
borrow money from a non-profit micro-lender to establish a very localized
business, obtain raw materials or inventory or expand an existing cottage
micro-business. A mere $20 loan can
provide economic stability that will enable an undertaking, otherwise doomed to
failure, to flourish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Again, like M-Pesa, micro-lending is a concept that
would work well in North American systems, if not for our myopic belief that
“big” is the only way and that any lending needs the financial skirt and blouse
of respectability and perception of quality.
In fact, micro-lending on a community basis may be nothing more complex
than a bartering system, using cash instead of goods. Micro-lending can take place, based on faith
and the security of future product and/or service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Since conventional capitalism seems to be reluctant to
embrace something so base as an M-Pesa or micro-lending network, the
opportunity exists for those of us who embrace simplicity. Networks of money exchanges could be set up,
with little difficulty and no risk to lenders, but using only one centrally
managed bank account and a team of volunteer overseers. The equivalent to M-Pesa similarly could
flourish, using a combination of barter and social network tenets, at almost no
cost to the participants. Yet,
established financial institutions would, most likely, seek to block such
initiatives, ostensibly because it would be perceived as risky for individuals,
but, in actuality, to protect the institutional lenders’ territory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Such a concept – discarding establishment corporate
power – probably would be welcomed enthusiastically by such fringe groups as
survivalist and anti-government bodies, and, in turn, be viewed suspiciously by
those of us who may be more mainstream.
This should not keep us from, at least, exploring the potential in these
viable ideas. All that we require is a
willingness to be open to the proposal, and identification of individuals or
groups willing to take the lead in setting up M-Pesa and Micro-lending for
Americans. Are you one such person?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-2710328765152147972012-09-19T09:54:00.002-05:002012-09-19T09:54:54.536-05:00Creeping Materialism<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn’t notice that we were closet materialists until …. well, until we emptied out all our
closets!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last fall, my wife and I reluctantly moved out of our yurt
for the winter months, and purchased an old home in desperate need of extensive
repairs nearby. There were a few reasons
for the decision. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, at age 60, I am getting somewhat reluctant to shovel
snow from a driveway that is 975 yards long, in a Manitoba winter. On average, we would be shovelling ten to
twelve times per year, and, after doing it twice in one week last winter, I
knew that I did not want to do it again.
Being a bit of an eco-freak, I also refuse to buy a tractor or snow
blower, just yet. So, it was shovel or
shove off. I chose the latter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Second, also because I am a bit of an eco-freak and consider
myself to be handy, I felt that, if I upgraded the windows, doors, insulation
and heating system on this old house, the home would be a great year-round
retirement place, at a very good price, for some lucky buyer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Third, I was not yet ready for full retirement, and this
project would provide me with a fair amount of exercise, a little extra cash
and a chance to learn new curse words as I demolished the old interior. (I did learn those new words, by the way.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But moving for only the winter months meant that we opted to
buy a few new items of furniture, new window coverings, new fixtures, a few new
tools, new accessories for staging the home when we sold, and even new clothes
(because the snow was too deep to get back to the yurt, in winter, when we left
for vacation).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This spring, we put the house up for sale. It didn’t sell. Then, it didn’t sell. And, by late summer, it still didn’t sell. So,
we put the land and yurt up for sale. In
two days, it sold. Then, on the day
after closing the deal on the yurt, a potential buyer offered us an acceptable
price on the house. We didn’t sell. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So now, we had to move everything from the yurt to the
house. That was when we discovered that we were closet materialists. In a strange way, we were “outted” by a lack
of closets. Today, our garage is
overflowing with surplus possessions.
Our home is as full as any other materialist’s home, but with a strange
assortment of stuff that we neither wanted nor needed, but purchased, “just in
case.” Extra spring jackets, extra
pictures, extra seating, extra space heaters, extra lighting, extra lawn
accessories and so on. We have three air compressors (for roofing), since one
failed on the day we needed it and the other was trapped, by the snow, at the
yurt. We have four hammers, extra
cabinets, two sofas, two barbeques, an extra oven, two washers, two dryers and
four ladders. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I only purchased what I felt we absolutely needed, when we
needed it. Yet, as you can see from this
partial list, I have a surfeit of stuff.
This is the most commonly travelled path to materialism: we fail to plan
ahead, we purchase for the moment and we confuse wants with needs. It is creeping materialism.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This weekend, though, we will hold a garage sale. Regardless of the price, we will be
unburdening ourselves of our excess.
Anyone need an air compressor for a buck? And, do you know where I can
by an extra yurt?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-67200929523287200852012-08-13T09:59:00.002-05:002012-08-13T09:59:20.603-05:00Bartering Best For Minimal Lifestyle<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the small village in which I was raised, it was common
for a neighbour to bake twenty or so loaves of bread one day, and make the
rounds giving away a few loaves to each of her closest friends. Another neighbour might have cooked a vat of
stew, which she shared with others. In
hunting season, the men would bring home thirty or more birds for plucking and
cleaning by the women, who then distributed them in the community.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Men would, whenever needed, spend a day or two building
shops and sheds for friends, or one who could do electrical repairs would fix
plugs and lights throughout the village, asking nothing in return. However, when he need mechanical work done,
there was always a neighbour who would be able to weld or repair machinery.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This concept of community seems overly simplistic and
archaic, yet it worked exceptionally well.
Where and when did it die?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 2008 economic downturn helped to revive the spirit of
need, but not the spirit of sharing and cooperative effort. It may be that the entrepreneurial,
independent spirit that we have been told is the hallmark of American society
has been the cause of this misguided independence. It is not dependency to offer your skill set
to those in need, and then, in time, to have the favour returned. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those of us who have opted for one variation or another of
voluntary simplicity in our lives have uncovered the benefits of community, and
caring for the community. It is nothing
more than barter. I do something that is within my skill set and abilities for
someone, and, some time later, I call on someone else to provide a service or
goods for me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Money has interceded in the very logical and most-often
effective system of tradeoffs and pooling of resources for individual and group
benefit. Money, and government.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The IRS and Canada Revenue Agency both view bartering as
taxable. You do carpentry work for Joe,
and then “bank” that service,” redeeming it later for free merchandise, you
have bartered. If you are operating as a
business, then you and the other party are taxed on the fair market value of
those goods. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But are backyard exchanges of garden produce, or household
goods, or helping hands considered “business?”
Both tax agencies have ruled inconsistently on this matter. “Is there a profit intent?” they ask. Well, if you consider that you got rid of
something of little value to you but of greater value to someone else, and in
exchange the opposite was true, then that could be considered a profitable
transaction. But where is the business
component?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the most part, government turns a blind eye to such
elementary transactions, and therein lies the opportunity for the industrious
minimalist. Bartering and trading of
goods and services is a fantastic way to minimize owning or possessing items
that you rarely use, but occasionally need.
Community spirit and the honest, fair exchange of goods cuts costs, cuts
ownership obligation, and is a very efficient use of resources. And, it is an
act of independence, not dependence, that has operated successfully for
thousands of years.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-26502263754022160042012-05-18T18:51:00.001-05:002012-05-18T18:51:20.156-05:00Successful Living Like Successful Dying<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">We
should learn lessons on living from those that have died successfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that sounds convoluted, or even
fatalistic, it is not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Succinctly put,
dying successfully involves living even more triumphantly. Many of us neither
live well nor die well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Substantially,
that is because we not only have been indoctrinated with false assumptions and
values, but also have been conditioned to live comparatively and competitively,
in every aspect of our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I want
to draw on four people in my life as examples of dealing with the prospect of
dying, or, at least, dealing with a life-threatening illness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The
first, diagnosed with breast cancer in the 1960s, responded by angrily
determining to beat the disease, even though radical surgery was required.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her prognosis was terrible, but she lived
another ten years, at last weakened beyond recovery in a serious car accident.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The
second died of throat cancer, after denying that his smoking was a contributor
and refusing to deal with the growth on his neck for over a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When, in the latter stages of cancer, he was
told that he might gain a few weeks or months of life if he quit, responded,
“It isn’t worth it,” and smoked to his last day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The
third bemoaned his fate, gave up and died quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The
fourth person accepted the diagnosis, looked into alternatives, made
adjustments in his life and continued on with daily activities, letting the
diagnosis have as little impact on the way that he lived as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">These
people are representative of the world at large, and dealt with their illnesses
in typical manner, with varying degrees of success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two, of course, decreased the quality and
duration of their lives significantly by their inaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Dr. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fiore, a specialist in issues of dying,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>recommends that a person with a fatal illness
</span>starts by taking charge of his or her life, asking lots of good
questions, and making informed choices regarding doctors, hospitals and
treatments. He further suggests that the patient should express his feelings
through talking or writing them down, singing or even screaming. He concludes
by telling his patients that they should treat the illness, not like a Rocky
Balboa fight, but trusting the body to know what to do.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Psychological researcher, Dr. C. Scanlon, in his 1989 article
entitled, “Creating a vision of hope: The challenge of palliative care.” (Oncology
Nursing Forum, 16(4), 491-496.), itemizes the following as the primary worries
of a person with a terminal illness: 1) <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Further debilitation and dependency, 2) Pain
and suffering, </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3) <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Consequences for
dependents and arranging affairs,</span> 4) <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">An uncertain future, 5) Lingering, </span>6) <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Dying alone, </span>7) <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Loss of control, 8) Changing
relationships, </span>9) <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Existential concerns, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>10) <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Change in mental functioning and 11) Afterlife.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As we
examine each of these concerns, we find that, in a nutshell, people facing
death primarily focus on issues relating to loss of control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By placing health management responsibly in
the hands of the patient, the stress associated with loss of control is
diminished.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This
concern over control in death is the same with control in life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of us ride life, instead of
steering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not in control, and, in
turn, we experience stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More stress,
less happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Less happiness, less
fulfillment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Such a
simple conclusion seems --- well, too simple!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those people with an
external locus of control, who give their lives into the hands of others, are
less fulfilled that those who take control of those things that impact on their
own lives, and those things over which they can exercise responsible </span>control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are less stressed, more vibrant, more
explorative, more willing and able to face hurdles, not as insurmountable
problems, but as challenges to be faced and overcome.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Death is an insurmountable problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dying is not, and should be approached by
seeking to maintain as much control over the process and facts as
possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living, equally, is a process
that demands that to be successfully navigated and enjoyed we must be involved
in and managing the events in our lives.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-71661184736272270802012-05-14T12:29:00.000-05:002012-05-14T12:29:19.272-05:00Live Life As If You Were Already Retired<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">From the time we begin our adult working life, we are
inoculated with the belief that we should plan, save and direct substantial
amounts of our energy toward being ready for retirement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, we live a retired lifestyle for an
average of sixteen years, and work for nearly 40. So where is the wisdom of
focusing on the future, when it is so distant and such a small portion of our
adult life?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The concept of retirement planning is, of course, with
merit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, living for today also
carries merit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are extremes of
lifestyle focused in each of these directions, with those that indolently
absorb the moment, but are totally unprepared for any contingency or emergency
that may arise, counting on society to take care of their needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, there are frugal,
obsessive individuals who hoard pennies to be ready for old age, and, when old
age arrives, fret over every coin that is spent, even when faced with the truth
that they have more than enough set aside to live comfortably.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the middle is the route to comfort and balance,
making the most of each moment without selfish indulgence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Unfortunately, modern technologies and modern standards blur
the lines between responsible work and planning, enjoying one’s life and being
a contributing part of the world around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our laptop computers, tablets and smart phones carry our personal lives
to work, our business lives home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Exclusive, valued time spent with close friends has become shared with
Facebook and Twitter, email and text friendships at our fingertips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quiet time frequently is shattered with the
beep, tweet, chirp, ring or jingle that alerts us to incoming
communications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Few of us demonstrate
the will power or social awareness to defer answering these devices, regardless
of where we are or what we may be doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We live, not for the moment, but governed by that moment – a moment
owned by whoever is intruding into our time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is no exclusivity to our time, whether it be work, play, community
personal or family.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">We have become a society that has no future, but is directed
to save for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have become a culture
that has a surfeit of time, but gives it away frivolously, then bemoans the
loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have become slaves to the
moment, but that moment is defined by others, for the most part. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">To embrace the idea that we should live for the moment is as
polarizing as to embrace the idea that we should focus exclusively on the
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we do need to value the
moment, and anticipate the upcoming life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Studies show that we derive more value from small, frequent
pleasures than from one large indulgence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the other hand, analyses reveal that we are more stressed by frequent
minor annoyances beyond our control than by larger, infrequent crises.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The logical corollary to these two
conclusions is that, to get the most out of life, we need to take time to
embrace the world around us, but to do so in a manner that provides long term
satisfaction rather than short term spikes of pleasurable but selfish indulgence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The future will be shaped by how we view and
interact with life today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we opt to
ride the crests and valleys formed by others around us, we will experience less
enjoyment in the moment than if we take a balanced view of our contribution to
the environment around us in relation to what we would like to see come back to
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should grab each moment, not each
day, and look to being the best we can be, not look to grabbing the most we can
get.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">By snatching at every incoming communication, by mashing
work with personal life, by sacrificing friendly personal interaction for
electronic jabber, we are ingesting everything, but like the cow in the foxtail
patch discovers, everything is not always a pleasure to eat!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Balance, then, is vital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Enjoy the moments of pleasure, but enjoy, also, the moments of effort
and hard work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Save and plan for the
future, but also plan and spend as if the future is today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use technology to embrace life, rather than
letting gadgets sap life from your fingertips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Live each moment as if you were already retired!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-17754501414636303842012-04-05T07:32:00.003-05:002012-04-05T07:32:57.212-05:00Is Chasing Happiness A Selfish Pursuit?<span style="font-family: Arial;">Like the American dream of owning your own home and becoming
wealthy, the pursuit of happiness has become the touchstone that identifies the
focus of many of our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But is the
pursuit of happiness, like the dream of financial success, an overtly and
overly selfish concept?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">As a child of the hippie era, I lived my early adult years
in the fog of self indulgence and Spartan decadence, with hundreds of thousands
of young North Americans around me choosing the irresponsibility of
unemployment, “free love” and separation from the pedantic duty to the world
around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, our generation burdened
those other North Americans that chose to work hard to build a strong nation,
through consumption of health care and social assistance, and reliance on the
infrastructure that those others sought to maintain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">On the other hand, the social change brought about by
indulging in personal exploration and examination of conscience helped in the
evolution of the American and Canadian societies of today – both good and bad.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, after forty years, our world has made a full turn, from
indolence to industry, and back to the pursuit of individual happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will this quest for happiness have a different
end result than that of the 1960s and 1970s?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most likely, given that the gist of the modern effort is to find
happiness in material wealth and luxury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ironically, many of those former capitalists and “yuppies,” though, are
seeking satisfaction in a life of voluntary simplicity, and in that chase, hope
to find happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">One segment is looking for contentment in self indulgence,
while the other is choosing self denial as a means to the same end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a binge dieter, both probably are
destined for failure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reason is not
so much in their methods, but in their goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like a dieter whose objective is to lose weight for some external
reason, the reason may fade, and, with it, motivation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But those that seek to become more healthy
often have, as an integral part of the strategy, losing weight, along with
changes in mental outlook, physical fitness and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is this balance that, according to
psychologists, is more likely to result in long-term results.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Chasing after happiness is, in effect, a race to lose
weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happiness is only one part of
wellbeing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediate euphoric happiness,
after all, can be found in a cloud of hallucinogenic smoke or a shot of illegal
drugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sopping up happiness, by itself,
is not a goal but an act of gluttony.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">On the other hand, happiness results when we embrace a
concept of wholeness and completeness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I live in a climate where there are extremes of cold and
hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can only appreciate either if I
have experienced the opposite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>True
pleasure is maximized in contrast to a prior experience of discomfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Contentment comes from exerting oneself for
the betterment of a cause, from helping others and from doing well, but not at
the expense of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, I
must experience work to enjoy rest, and satisfaction after facing angst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Happiness, on its own, is not indulgent or selfish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happiness without earning it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This philosophy does not require that I deliberately set out
to be unhappy or experience discomfort in order to pursue happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it does require that I be
sufficiently courageous to face the possibility of negative experiences, in
order to claim my spot at the happiness buffet.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Instead of viewing life through my own needy eyes, I should
seek to find a fulfilling life, and from that fulfillment find happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having set aside my immediate wants to
satiate the needs that I see around me, having taken the time to find a life
that gives outwardly before it craves inwardly, and having understood that
happiness is fleeting, while contentment is lasting, I will be able to accept
happiness as a worthy objective. </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-67390927383353376132012-03-01T11:21:00.000-06:002012-03-01T11:23:21.279-06:00Labelling Minimalism, Voluntary Simplicity, Simple Living and Frugal Lifestyles<span style="font-family: Arial;">The most significant problem with labels such as minimalist,
living simply, voluntary simplicity or frugal living is that the categorizing
itself is purely subjective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
minimalist may eschew all possessions, or focus on a few premium pieces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Voluntary simplicity suggests that one can
acquire anything he wants, but opts for a Spartan existence. Frugal lifestyles
seem to imply that the subject lives “on the cheap” with everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living simply, too, evokes images of
backwoods, back-to-the-earth survivalism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet, each may describe the same lifestyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than attempting to label, it is easier
to visualize the concept of selective possession, and view true minimalism as a
way of filtering out the excesses.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I, for example, own few material possessions, live in a yurt
and often harvest wild plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, far
from being bereft of money or liquid assets, we own a newer Prius, holiday
three or four times each year in exotic or far-flung locales and live a life
free of worry about finances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
choices are the envy of many friends, yet are options available to anyone who
wishes to prioritize his life similarly to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We do not measure ourselves by what we own, but how we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We own few tangibles, yet also own a library
of memories and pleasurable moments.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">How many of us, though, are mentally and financially
prepared to make the sacrifices that allow us to make choices focused on
voluntary simplicity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A simple test will
reveal our capacity to not only adapt, but to embrace this alternative way of
living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oddly, the first time I tested
myself using this simple strategy, I felt significant stress and anxiety – a
little like being lost, alone and in a strange country.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Choose a mid-week day
for your trial. Leave home without your cash, credit or debit cards, and no
means to access them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you take the
bus or subway to work, carry the tokens essential for a trip to and from work,
nothing more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No coffee money, no gift
cards for restaurants and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
possible, leave your cell phone at home, and, under no circumstance use it to
access a friend’s support or make purchases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sounds simple, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost certainly,
the minute you are isolated from any means of funds to make spontaneous
purchases, you will begin to go through a withdrawal, regardless how
minor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, do we really need that
morning latte, the afternoon drink, the chance to make an impulse buy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A mere day of deprivation will reveal just
how essential these comfort buys are to you, and whether you are emotionally
ready to embrace a minimalistic lifestyle wholeheartedly.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">That one day was tough?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now set yourself up for three days, or a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">My first test, predictably, found me longing for my daily
coffee fix, and wondering what I would do if a crisis occurred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that no such dilemma had confronted
me for months (or perhaps years) prior was not material.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “what ifs” drove my thinking for much of
that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, at the end of the
day, I discovered that I was not embracing my return to materialism, but was,
instead, exhilarated by my newly found freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have always been a spendthrift or a tightwad, depending upon the
moment and the mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For years, I
carried upwards of four to six thousand dollars cash in my pockets, and my
low-limit credit card as backup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I
carry no credit cards, no debit cards, and rarely have more than fifty cents in
my pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I long for the days of
superfluous cash?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hardly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The measure of whether you, too, are suited to involve
yourself in a life of voluntary simplicity<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>really is whether you fear the lack of possessions or love the thrill of
attempting to discard all of the excess you own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to adopt this new way of viewing
your possessions, you need to adopt a new way of viewing your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is your life defined by the moments of
pleasure you get from all of life, or is it defined by the status you feel that
you acquire by owning and displaying material items?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of us finds our oasis of enjoyment in
life uniquely, and the owner of a $450,000 sports car or a $3,000,000 painting
is no less entitled to enjoy life his way as you are to choose a more focused
yet Spartan way of living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The labels
attached to materialism or minimalism do not define you or your
priorities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You define, by the route you
choose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A minimalist simply chooses to
cozy up to fewer possessions, and more moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yet, even each minimalist is uniquely different from the next,
regardless of the label attached.</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-74891331912240853392011-11-21T15:00:00.001-06:002011-11-21T15:02:13.472-06:00Of All The Most Important Things in Life, The Most Important Is Commitment To Others<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ask ten people what they consider to be the most important
thing in life, and you may well generate ten different concepts of
essentials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, explore those ten
answers in more depth, revise the scenario to include the possibility of being
isolated from human contact, and the critical concern that those respondents
will come up with is that a specific person would be the most essential element
to be included in that existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Human beings are, like many beasts of the wild, wired to
need social contact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some, that
contact may be minimal, but all of us need interaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does that mean that we view others as vital,
or are we so completely narcissistic that we view fellow man as nothing more
than a need to make our life complete?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Regardless of why we need people with whom to interact, the
stimulation that man provides for man completes a significant component of how
we view ourselves. As far back as 1943, psychologist Abraham Maslow postulated
that the need for belonging, love, friendship and human interaction neared the
base of his hierarchy of needs, just above the need for safety.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The male of the species has been bound, it seems, to man’s
best friend – the dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While our
connection to this four-legged friend undoubtedly offers something
psychologically satisfying to humans, it lacks the completeness of human to
human involvement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The connection
fulfills, on the surface, the need to have someone, or something else,
understand us.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Gang membership, and, in turn, gang initiation, draws on the
desire to belong, and to be involved in something that sees us, individually,
as something special. While, superficially, gang members appear to lose that
individuality, they do view themselves, in fact, as disparate and unique from
the rest of the world, or the rest of the neighbourhood.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">There may be precious little difference between the desire
to be a gang member and the desire to belong to an elite club, or a segment of
society that has riches to flaunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both
say to the initiate, pledge or member, “You are part of something special and
unique, and therefore, you, too, are unique.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The idea of looking to be a part of something that someone
else cannot be a part of is coloured with liberal dollops of narcissistic
personality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, is it wrong?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And how is it different, for example, from
seeking to find that special aspect or part of our lives that fulfills us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I have chosen a minimalistic way of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does eschewing material acquisition make be
the antithesis of narcissistic?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hardly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I choose this lifestyle
specifically because I feel that I want to focus, not on frills, but on fewer,
but more significant benefits and luxuries in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To simply forfeit things for the sake of
forfeit gains neither the minimalist or society at large anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is akin to being a lowly carrion-eater,
and choosing to ignore the carrion that it finds, in case someone else might
come upon it and want it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">When I began my journey toward voluntary simplicity, and
opted to focus on fewer, but more significant things in my life, I had not
contemplated the philosophical dilemma of choosing specifically what the most
important thing in my life would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had a concept of things and experiences that would be more significant to me
than others, but had not established an absolute priority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That changed, dramatically, this week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">On Tuesday, my wife awoke, drenched in sweat, breathing
shallowly, experiencing numbness on her right side, and thoroughly
nauseated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within seconds, I had her in
the car, heading toward the hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Driving as quickly as I could from our isolated home toward the local
hospital, I called 911, and was escorted through<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the protocols as I rushed to intercept the
dispatched ambulance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I determined
that I could make it closer to the hospital, rather than park on the highway
and await the emergency vehicle, I became quite belligerent with the dispatcher
who wanted me to be in an identifiable location for the EMS drivers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My anger increased as the seconds passed, and
my wife’s symptoms worsened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ultimately, the ambulance arrived, my wife was rushed to
another hospital thirty miles distant (where better diagnostics could be
conducted), and her impending critical incident was averted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am very pleased to say that, while she was
close to a severe crisis, she has recovered fully, thanks to the speedy
response of the EMS team and the skills and dedication of the hospital staff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">However, what I learned was that all of the important things
that I had casually itemized in recent years truly were minimal in relation to
the one important thing in my life: the valued relationship and love affair
that I have with Janice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned many
valuable lessons, but the most vital lesson learned is that the most important
thing in everyone’s life should not be a thing at all, but a feeling:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the feeling that you have for someone
important in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For many of us,
that someone may not even be human, but a pet or animal pal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most important “non-thing,” even for us
minimalists, should be a feeling that has its basis in narcissism, but
ultimately ends in completely submerging our own wants and desires in favour of
the needs of another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call it love, or
call it selflessness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call it what you
want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most important thing in life
is to place all things behind the commitment to another living being.</span></div>
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<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-58956360714220119162011-11-19T20:40:00.001-06:002011-11-19T20:41:27.436-06:00Free Renewable Energy Not Always So Free<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Being eco-friendly may be admirable, but it comes with a
price, and it is not always as crystal-clear as one believes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We rely heavily on non-grid energy, including wind and solar
power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, renewal energy sources
such as ours require energy storage, and, specifically, battery storage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While there are advanced battery technologies
on the market (e.g. batteries for hybrid vehicles), as well as large wet-cell
storage batteries (such as those in forklifts and indoor industrial cleaning
equipment), the most prevalent, and therefore, the lowest-priced units are
conventional deep-cycle marine 12-volt batteries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These typically cost from $80 to $200, with
only modest storage and cranking amperage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The primary advantage of marine batteries over vehicle
batteries is their capacity to be discharged to low levels and recharged
often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, “often” is subjective,
with most of the commercially available units being rated for a few hundred
charging cycles, at most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
batteries also do not like to be frozen, but really detest excessive heat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">In order to supply minimal energy, such as the energy to
light two compact fluorescent bulbs four hours each day and a small bar
refrigerator (drawing 90 watts, with a surge of 800 watts), you will consume
2,280 (2.3 kw) watts each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now
consider that a small solar panel produces 13-18 watts (some of the single
panel retail units produce 30w) under optimal conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In northern latitudes, hours of summer
daylight average 15 hours, but typically generate only about 60% of that in
sunlight sufficient to “max out” the solar panel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With three panels, you will produce 405 watts
– less than 20% of what you need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
small wind turbine may produce 40% of what you need, if you live in an
environment where the wind is very frequent, and of sufficient strength to
power the turbine. Typically, the marine batteries attached to your collectors are
rated for 800-1000 CCA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously,
unless you expand your generation and/or storage network, you will need to use
a charging system on the batteries.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Because each of the batteries is being discharged the
equivalent of 100%every eight hours, you will require a battery array of at
least three batteries, just to produce your daily minimum energy requirement. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ultimately, most of us will require
electricity for television or sound equipment, charging cell phones and
laptops, power for small fans, and so on. With minimal energy, though, your
three-battery array will be fully discharged and recharged 100 times from June
to September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the normal
lifespan of the battery!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This year, we experienced near-record heat and sunlight
throughout our summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While that is
great for our solar panels, heat is more damaging to the batteries than cold,
and reduces their ability to be recharged (and hold a charge) significantly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">We used an eight-battery package.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, almost weekly, we needed to refill
the cells, as the electrolytic acid evaporated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The sunlight did its damage, too, destroying one battery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of the eight, only one battery now holds a
significant charge, even though I de-sulphated the batteries regularly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Five of the batteries were three years old or
less, with the other three being four years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seven batteries will need to be replaced.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">At a cost of $90 per battery, our outlay will be $630, plus
taxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We used nearly $100 of generator
fuel to supplement our renewable energy supply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In four months, our lighting costs will be $700-800, factoring in the
wear and tear on equipment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now, we have batteries that need to be recycled and spent
fuel that polluted the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we had
relied on our hydro-electric grid for energy, at a cost of $0.08 per kwh, we
would have spent less than $130!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did we
really do the environment and our pocketbook a favour?</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-30043039464927125012011-08-16T17:47:00.000-05:002011-08-16T17:47:11.976-05:00Frugal Use of Water Can Reduce The Drain On Our Environment<br />
As water becomes the future gold, creative ways in which to conserve and utilize water effectively need to be employed. While, In Canada, there is an abundant supply of fresh water, that resource is not limitless, and our neighbours to the south will soon be in need of that liquid commodity. As climate change impacts the world, we already are seeing periods of flood followed by periods of severe drought, like that witnessed across central North America in the summer of 2011.<br />
The responsibility for conservation and efficient use of water is more than the responsibility of government and big business: it is the duty of each of us, as consumers.<br />
While my wife and I have adopted a minimalist strategy toward the use of the earth’s resources, we, too, are not excused from using this precious water frugally. We have, however, minimized our consumption to less than 150-225 litres of water per week (7,800 litres per year). That’s almost 2,000 cubic feet of water, or 1,000 cubic feet per person. Compared to the North American average of over 5 times that amount per individual (not including industry), we should be proud of our ecological stewardship. However, we found that, while we have had difficulty in using less, we have been able to recycle and reuse more. In the summer, our grey water, from our shower, kitchen sink and bathroom sink is routed into a 230-litre holding tank, and then used, each week, to water our gardens. In the early spring and late fall, we use some of that water in a sprayer system to “flush” our toilet, using less than two cups per flush.<br />
A channel dug around the perimeter of our yurt redirects rainfall into a small dugout pond, where it, too, can be used for the gardens.<br />
With water consumption for our vegetable cooking, we, again, have discovered ways to minimize, by using minimal water for boiling potatoes, then using that water to steam or cook our vegetables. That enriched water, in turn, is used to make soups and stews, and excess potato water is used to make bread. For the few times that we boil eggs, the water is mixed with other water (sometimes rainwater), for washing dishes.<br />
One of the concerns that people have expressed is that we may be transferring bacteria and water-borne disease by reusing some of our water in dish cleaning, and, again, on the gardens. However, the eggs are hard shelled, and harbour no bacteria that is resistant to the dish soap. On the other hand, because our grey water sits in the holding tank for up to seven days, there is a risk of bacteria build-up. Consequently, we make sure that we water our plants only at the base or roots, so that there is a minimal risk of contamination. <br />
Other factors also come into play. The odour from stale water is not pleasant, but, within an hour after watering any residual odour has dissipated. If you add glycol (RV antifreeze) to the tanks in the winter, this water should not be used on the plants, as glycol is extremely hazardous to human health. On the other hand, if you have used less than 5% antifreeze per tank, that liquid can safely be applied to the roots of larger trees.<br />
One final tip: when installing our grey water holding tank, we constructed it so that the tank was below the level of the shower and sink drains, but above grade, so that we could siphon, easily, the water from the tank, relying on the benefit of gravity to move the water.<br />
Perhaps, in the near future, we will be able to purify the water, recycle it for human use (washing, etc.) and then apply it to the garden. That will cut our consumption in half. However, using only the minimal amount required does offer a measure of environmental responsibility that should make any of us employing these measures confident that we are doing our part to protect the environment. <br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-4018848213524281152011-06-28T11:06:00.000-05:002011-06-28T11:06:34.146-05:00Minimal Living Provides Opportunity To Spread WealthIf minimalism or voluntary simplicity is about living with less, then the obvious corollary to the concept of minimal living is that such a frugal lifestyle will open up a surfeit of resources for other uses. I have discussed in many of my other articles that my minimalistic focus is toward enjoying the newly filtered aspects of life more thoroughly by de-cluttering my environment. <br />
However, I have no desire to relinquish the pleasure that I gain from productive work. Thus, while I free up time to enjoy more targeted pleasures by eliminating redundancies and excesses, I also free up money.<br />
Therein is one of the real bonuses of simple living: the ability to use surplus income for purposes that I find worthy; namely, a variety of charitable causes.<br />
For instance, I have revived a cooperative housing project initiative that will enable those people who may not be able, otherwise, to afford home ownership, to engage in a strategy to purchase their individual homes through a group buying initiative. With my surplus free time and, fortunately, surplus income due to my frugal living approach, I am able to give back in areas of my own choosing.<br />
Perhaps many aspiring minimalists are undertaking this new lifestyle because of budget constraints, or environmental concerns, or simply because of social conscience. Regardless, the new freedom that one discovers as priorities are rearranged to suit the minimalistic approach allow for more freedom to be charitable. It is often an unexpected frill that flowers from one’s new lifestyle.<br />
Psychologists almost universally agree that a great contributor to unhealthy stress is the lack of choice. By freeing resources, by being less reliant on material success or need, a person is afforded a greater freedom to choose what is important individually. It is true, however, that when a person chooses to “ cut to the bone” on luxuries, and cuts the reserves that provide a “soft cushion” in times of financial hardship, a degree of stress results. The stress of facing a short-term bout of belt tightening on a frugal budget is far from the stress, though, than the stress of financial crisis when one is burdened with enormous monthly expenses. By trimming overhead, you open the door for more choices.<br />
It is ironic that the greatest contributors to charities, per dollar earned, and the greatest number of volunteer hours committed are given by those people who live in more modest communities, states or provinces, and that those most likely to give in a crisis are those that have experienced a crisis of their own.<br />
By entering the world of modest living through voluntary simplicity, a person almost automatically is drawn toward charity, volunteerism and community service, and, in turn, reaps the enormous benefit of reaching out to others.<br />
As you contemplate your foray into minimal living, you may want to set out a template, or set of objectives, and include in that template the anticipated or sought-after benefits (as well as drawbacks). Work into your new budget an allowance for both time and money given to those in need, and establish that allowance as a priority. Simply by laying out, concretely and publicly, your intention to use your newly discovered freedom to benefit others, you will discover that your focus on what is significant in life alters dramatically. Again, it is an established psychological principle that, when a person publicly commits, even in a modest way, to a position or goal, he more adamantly defends and works toward that position in the future. Think, for example, of Weight Watchers or AAA meetings, where a public statement of commitment is used to drive dedication to an objective.<br />
Consider that, as you gain freedom from stress and financial or material dependence for yourself, you also are opening the door for a more altruistic you. Go minimal, but give it your maximum effort!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-69772708691214670522011-06-16T17:42:00.001-05:002011-06-23T18:44:24.463-05:00Living With Less Does Not Always Mean Doing It YourselfOne of the problems inherent in “going minimal” is the tendency to radicalize. That is, some of us assume that minimalism requires that we not only do without every luxury and most essentials, but that we involve others at a minimal level in every purchase. We often suppose that doing with less means doing it yourself.<br />
Need an oil change? It must be a minimalistic approach to do it yourself. Want a special meal, such as a lasagne? One has to obtain the ingredients and make it oneself. Of course, a true minimalist must do her own vehicle repairs, make his own clothes, grow every food item and complete every repair or household renovation alone.<br />
These are just a few of the myths of minimal living.<br />
Let us take a quick look, for example, at that lasagne dinner. Typically, a 2-pound store-bought, ready-made lasagne will cost you $5.99 to $9.99. Your total cost, including cooking in the oven for 45 to 60 minutes, will be $6.11 to $10.11, or $3.05 to $5.06 per pound. However, calculate the individual costs of buying the ingredients. Cheese, lean ground beef, spinach, spices and noodles will end up costing you at least $6.80 per pound if you buy the size required to make a 2-pound lasagne. Cooking will take two hours, for an additional cost of $0.22, while cleanup of the baking pan and utensils will add another $0.30-.40 to the total. This doesn’t factor in the cost of the pan & utensils, or place a value on the two hours that it may take to make the meal. Total savings, per pound, of buying the ready-made meal will be up to $4.37! Hardly worth the effort, is it, unless you prefer the quality and uniqueness of a homemade meal?<br />
How about that oil change? With a litre of oil costing, on average, $4.19 and a filter $6-12, a four-litre oil change will cost $23.76, versus the $29.95 for a shop to do it. Yet, you don’t have to worry about the cleanup and environmental impact, or the cost of oil drain pans, jack stands, etc. It’s almost a fair trade to farm out the task.<br />
Don’t even consider doing your own repairs on a new car. Just the OBII-compliant computer tester will set you back $100 or more, and you haven’t begun to figure out how to do the repairs, with the few outdated tools that you own. Each new car demands its own specialty tools to conduct repairs. However, buying the new car is more environmentally friendly, and generally more cost-efficient than maintaining the old one.<br />
A true minimalist may want to mend his own clothes, make his own curtains, upholster his own furniture. Aside from the grotesquely ugly results that are likely, this option, too, is impractical, even for a minimalist. However, if you find someone who is handy with a sewing machine or needle and thread, and you have the cash, consider providing the material, while your partner provides the handiwork and skill necessary to make clothes, drapes or couch covers. <br />
Similarly, home renovation skills are seldom within the reach of the typical homeowner. You may be great at rough carpentry, but lousy at finishing work. You may know the basics of plumbing, and fail miserably at electrical repair. Here is where a collage of colleagues, with compatible and exchangeable skills provides a real advantage. You may undertake the framing (or supervision) of a garage for a neighbour, while another provides skills at concrete work and a third can wire the building. When you need your recreation room renovated, those same people can pool their skills to assist you, and so on.<br />
Have a large back yard? Grow your vegetables, and a few for your neighbours, in exchange for a few trinkets that you require from them.<br />
The last three examples are perfect illustrations of the benefit of bartering for the frugal individual, or those who favour the minimal living approach. Bartering, or swapping services and goods not only lessens demand for duplicate items or redundant services, but reduces the cost to each individual in the barter group. Barter groups may be loosely arranged, or established as a cooperative, with specific assigned values for work and goods that are exchanged, with a “banking” option that allows a member to provide his goods into the pool, and obtain the benefit that he wants or needs at a later time.<br />
Minimalism is not about doing it yourself. It is about seeking the path that is least intrusive, with the greatest benefit, to obtain those needed items, while recognizing that “need” and “want” are not synonymous, and that using less is a pathway to getting more out of your life, each day.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-13324968908550014672011-05-13T20:02:00.000-05:002011-05-13T20:02:06.636-05:00Minimalist Dining OptionsOne of the expenses most often associated with lavish living is that of dining out at an upscale restaurant. Yet, even minimalists must eat! Those frugal living advocates who view minimalism as an exercise in self-denial suggest that dining out at any – not just upscale – restaurants is in conflict with minimalistic principles. Minimal living, though, is not centred around self-denial. It is rooted in responsible choices that focus upon reduction in excess and frivolous activities or expenses.<br />
Minimalists take heart! Dining out is not only acceptable, but a good strategy, with a variety of options.<br />
One of my favourite “minimal” choices is to dine with groups of friends. This allows for great social interaction, while involving only the cost of the meal, rather than the cost of several gatherings plus other recreational costs often incurred with social gatherings. Many restaurants offer discounts for groups, allowing for a reduction in meal costs. By calling ahead for a reservation, you may be able to negotiate a per-diner reduction of 10% or more.<br />
Community suppers (such as church fundraisers, fall suppers, etc.) offer both the opportunity to support a local charity or cause and enjoy a meal at a fraction of the cost of a restaurant meal.<br />
Coupons commonly are issued by restaurants in the slow winter season, to stimulate patrons to loosen their wallets during low-sales periods. This is an excellent time for a true and dedicated minimalist to dine out, combining strategic savings with socialization. Many of these offerings are breakfast programs. By beginning your shopping or work day with a substantially discounted meal, you are using your time more efficiently. This is another cornerstone of intelligent minimalism.<br />
My wife and I have a penchant for visiting Subway, but neither of us are inclined to consume a full 12-inch sub. Yet, when Subway offers excellent pricing on these subs, we will purchase a 12-incher, eat half, and save half for the next day. This has saved us preparation time, the cost of operating our cooking equipment and loads of cash, while providing us with a nutritious meal.<br />
With eight children and a horde of grandchildren, nieces and nephews, our birthday costs could be astronomical. An effective cost reduction strategy has been to volunteer to prepare special meals for each of the children, in their home. We provide the food and the labour, enjoy an evening with the family and cut the cost of gifts. The children get to savour their favourite childhood foods and put their feet up while we cook.<br />
Similarly, when we host and visit with friends in their homes, we exchange special dishes that each of us enjoy. This provides dietary variety for each of our friends, and cuts costs of partying. It is always cheaper to cook for many than for few!<br />
Dining out is not an act of lavish excess. It can be and should be an act of frugal, minimal living, consistent with the dominant principle of minimalism: getting the most out of life for the least!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-15281884610695793372011-04-05T19:30:00.001-05:002011-04-05T19:30:32.242-05:00The Minimalist Diet - Maximum Benefit From Minimal IngredientsThe majority of those who embrace the minimalist concept of living focus on their material assets, and relegate other aspects of their lives to secondary and tertiary status in the adopted lifestyle. Others focus on the frugality of one’s lifestyle, adorning economical living with minimal living. Some, again, opt to equate minimalism and environmentalism, with only modest justification.<br />
Minimalism is a composite lifestyle, adopting numerous attributes from other approaches to interacting with one’s world, living life on a budget, and yet incorporating a love of luxury with a desire for simplicity. This is the way of fine art: remove the clutter around a feature piece, in order to focus more fully on the pleasure that that specific item exudes.<br />
We, as minimalists, choose to de-clutter our surroundings and our mind, in order to appreciate the simplicity of living without that bric-a-brac. It is a relatively easy process. However, while we feed our soul, we ignore physical nourishment as it is impacted by our minimal lifestyle.<br />
One of the tenets of simple living relative to simple eating is to focus, as in fine art, on one or two feature items. <br />
For example, my wife and I love spicy, ethnic foods. Our favourites include Asian foods, from Indian to Chinese. However, on occasion, we crave a simple, more bland palate, such as simple fish and rice or chicken and noodles or potatoes. Since we also concern ourselves with healthy foods, we work with those key items (salmon & sea fish, green vegetables, fresh fruits, and an abundance of healthy nuts and grains). Simple recipes often require raw, fresh items.<br />
Most people react predictably. Yuckk! Nuts & berries. Raw vegetables. Bland starches. That attitude is misplaced and misdirected. Working with the simplest of ingredients, a marvellous colour of flavour can be created.<br />
We take our minimal approach further, by harvesting wild herbs and culinary plants from the wild, throughout the year. This cuts costs, while improving the diversity of diet.<br />
But even with a minimum of spices and base ingredients, a host of meals can be prepared from very simple food options.<br />
Let us look at a simple five pound ham, bone in. We trim out the bone, remove much of the fat, and set this aside, to be used last. On Day 1, we slice a thick ham steak, poached in water with tomato, oregano, mustard, ginger and garlic. It is our meal’s centrepiece. On Day 2, we slice a smaller slice, dice it, mix it with curry paste and ginger, toss in chopped peppers and onions and sautee it. On Day 3, we take another slice, dice it and mix it with onion, pepper, lots of garlic, and chopped potato and yam. Cooked in olive oil. On Day 4, the second-to last slice is cut thinly, wrapped around goldenrod leaves and sliced apple and peaches, then baked. Day 5, we use the remnants and leftovers to make a stew, adding the odds and ends left over from the earlier meals. Five meals cost us less than $12.<br />
Of course, five consecutive days of the same meat, albeit with radically different tastes and textures, can become overwhelming. To alleviate the potential taste doldrums, we will do the same with a few pounds of fish, or chicken, achieving a wide array of taste experiences, while using a minimum amount of ingredients. In this manner, we are able to take advantage of seasonal sales on meat, as well as seasonal availability of wild herbs and domestic garden produce. <br />
Simple living does not require relinquishing variety. In fact, living simply can afford us the opportunity to explore unique ways to get the most mileage out of every item, every day, while wringing the last drop of living out of each moment. Can we do anything less?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-47032285475246282612011-03-30T11:22:00.002-05:002011-03-30T11:22:36.866-05:00A Mininimalist's VacationVacations are an area of concern for those who practice a minimal lifestyle. Minimalism implies that one does without; therefore, vacations, being a “luxury” should be eschewed. That is a convoluted approach and a misperception of the minimalist’s way of living. Living simply is, in essence, living in such a manner that the individual, less obtrusive items and actions become more central to the lifestyle. Simple living requires that one looks at life as an ongoing series of snapshots and vignettes, instead of as a continual accumulation and hoarding of material goods. That means that living in a simple, uncluttered manner enables the advocate of that style of life to savor impressions, feelings, memories and interactions, in the place of things. In turn, that makes vacations and leisure time significantly more critical than for those who are on the acquisition train.<br />
There are numerous options for the individual looking for a great vacation at minimal cost and minimized impact or consumption. <br />
The first, and that requiring the least energy, is to rent travelogue DVDs. Most libraries also offer these videos through their lending programs, ,making the enjoyment of the videos truly cost effective. The internet offers exceptional avenues by which you can explore the world, at no cost. By combining Internet surfing for exotic and unique adventures and locales with outreach efforts, you will be able to connect with people from around the world, who can share your experiences.<br />
There are many intriguing opportunities that tie in with Internet connections. The Woofer program matches people who are willing to Work on organic farms with those agricultural undertakings. In exchange for your free labour, the farmer provides you with room and board, as well as a peek into that way of living. This adventure opens another door for the true environmentalist and minimalist, by creating a source for fresh-from-the-farm organic produce.<br />
Another travel opportunity for minimalism advocates is the “couch surfing” program. By linking with people around the world who are willing to provide one or two nights of free accommodation and meals, you are able to travel on a budget. In exchange, you, too, agree to provide a couch on which another such traveler can sleep for a couple of nights. Many people in this program have met others from remote corners of the earth, and learned a little more about how people live in other regions.<br />
Volunteer vacationing is a third option for the minimalist on holidays. There are a variety of projects requiring volunteers, from Habitat projects around North America, to relief work in Haiti, to longer-term trips to underdeveloped countries, where one can work while holidaying.<br />
A fourth minimal vacation concept is the “buddy program,” where people in a given area, community or city plan, months in advance, a travel holiday together. This allows each participant to become familiar and comfortable with their travel partner. Shared RVs, vans and cabins or resort accommodations, as well as jointly prepared meals and discounts available for groups make such a vacation more affordable than if travelling alone.<br />
Piggybacking vacation trips onto conferences scheduled in distant cities offers a cost-effective way to plan a holiday. Bartering a timeshare in exchange for something of value that you have makes an easy way to maximize use of resources at minimum cost.<br />
Vacations are about memories and experiences. By exploring ways to holiday inexpensively and efficiently, you can turn an indulgence into a true minimalist concept.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-48651269554342411162011-03-11T13:06:00.002-06:002011-03-11T13:06:51.998-06:00Vacation Timeshares from the Minimalist’s PerspectiveAt first blush, it would seem that the purchase of a timeshare is an example of self-indulgence and not one of minimalism. Indeed, it may well be self-indulgent, but that does not preclude the purchase from being frugal and an example of living life minimally.<br />
Minimalism focuses upon eliminating the excesses in life in order to more thoroughly savour the richness of that life. Consider how an art gallery displays its valuable works of art. Rather than crowd items together like a garage sale table, each piece is featured individually, with an abundance of white space between the displays. The gallery does not hide the pieces, or conceal them in clutter. Minimalism, too, seeks to get rid of the material and emotional clutter, and enable us to focus on the valuable parts of our life.<br />
For some of us, that valuable part may be our vacation time.<br />
But is a timeshare an example of frivolous spending? In some cases, again, yes. But, with recent improvements to the time share industry, a wealth of economical (is that an oxymoron) vacations are available to enjoy.<br />
We have purchased a couple of time shares, yet live, in every other aspect, minimally. We view our timeshare purchase as an act of frugal living, as well.<br />
For under $8,000, we are able to gain access to several thousand resorts and hotels, worldwide. For under $200 per year, we can stay for a week or more at high-quality locations. This is less than we would pay for an apartment in our home city, or a motel in any en route town. So, purely on the benefit-per-dollar basis, we are acting in an economically responsible manner.<br />
Similarly, our resorts all include full kitchen facilities, so I am able to cook in the suites, prepare healthy meals, and forego the cost of expensive restaurant fare. This, too, is budgeting responsibly.<br />
It is easy to be narcissistic in regard to purchasing time shares, however. We know people who have invested many tens of thousands of dollars on expensive resorts, and fail to use the benefits frugally.<br />
On the other hand, we regularly use last call vacations, which afford us even better savings. Our extra vacations and off-season travel plans mean further benefit for the cost. But this requires careful strategizing in order to yield the maximum benefits.<br />
In years when we do not use our actual timeshare weeks, we are not required to pay the maintenance fees (which we carefully calculated into the ongoing costs of our time share purchase). Although it is emotionally tough to give up that “free” week, we recognize that it is only free if we do not pay the annual fee associated with it.<br />
It is vital, though, in deciding on a time share purchase, that you shop around, and not be caught up in the “this time only” sales hype. Look to less popular resorts that are highly rated. They often have lower buy-in costs. Look to low maintenance fees. For example, Las Vegas resorts generally are cheaper to maintain than Florida ones. Look for others’ reviews, too, to see if you are missing a key bit of information.<br />
Regardless, though, it is easy to disregard time shares as a viable minimalist’s vacation option. While time shares do not form the bulk of our vacation experience, they are significant, and economical. Avoid the dieter’s dilemma: it’s not what you eat, but how much. In the case of a minimalistic approach to time shares, it’s not how much you own, but how you digest it.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809524414185924107.post-43373922559901183532011-02-25T11:09:00.000-06:002011-02-25T11:09:59.288-06:00Books Versus E-BooksA dieter’s greatest scourge is temptation. That luscious chocolate-encrusted strawberry croons our names until we respond. That succulent dessert begs to be devoured. <br />
A minimalist diet, unfortunately, has the same nemesis. Temptation draws us whenever we deprive ourselves of those things that we have elevated to the status of delightful. Minimalism, though, holds that “doing without” is the epitome of success. <br />
Since I chose the minimal lifestyle, the temptation imp has stood in my way frequently, and I have been compelled to choose what really is significant in my daily life. Reading is one of those essentials.<br />
Yet, I am “old school;” some say, a dinosaur. I love the feel, the heft, the connection to printed and bound reading materials. Part of the joy of reading a good book is to collapse into a comfortable chair, or sprawl on a lush lawn with an engrossing book in my hands. It is a route to losing the reality of the world around me.<br />
I have found that reading an article on my laptop lacks the tactile pleasure of savouring a pocket novel or hard cover classic. The LCD screen seems to flicker, or the sunlight makes reading impossible, or the computer must be plugged in after an hour or so. There are myriad excuses as to why e-books are inferior to bound copies of the same plots and documents. Yet, by the end of 2010, over 10% of all books sold were in electronic, or digital form. The world is embracing the new technology, while I cling to old ways.<br />
Cognitively, I see e-books as an expression of minimalism. No wasted paper, no bulk or heft to them. A hundred thousand books takes up no more space than a hundred on my shelf. The physical impact of a wall of leather bound books smacks of achievement and intellectual superiority. The display of the newest best seller, in hard cover, says “I have the money to pay the price of this collection of pulp,” while the discreet nature of an e-book offers none of the status or prestige of a bound copy.<br />
The guilt of indecision, and the social pressure of always conforming to the world’s perception of what constitutes a minimalist drives my choice as to whether I should purchase an e-book or a printed one. The very decision to buy either is at the heart of the minimalist dilemma.<br />
Yet, minimalism is about prioritizing. In the end, I choose to buy bound readers when I want the joy of relaxing and reading. I do not want to be tied to a darkened room, or carry my laptop (or Kindle, if I owned one) with me, in case the mood to read attacks me. I choose to read digital media when I want to conduct research, read a technical paper, or am investigating a more formal document or topic.<br />
Minimalism requires choosing and prioritizing, but it also requires getting every last drop of living out of life, at the least cost to the world around us. I will relinquish my deeply-rooted preference for the tactile experience of reading, only when that experience already is soured by routine and mechanical written materials that offer none of the release of fiction or exploration of the unknown. After all, my minimalist diet allows for the occasional indulgences!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script src="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors-rss-js.php?p=380766&l=10&fs=10&fc=000000&bc=ffffff&tc=000000&tb=1&nw=&smr=1&enc=&c=792"></script></div>Robert (Bob) Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11412590660891677808noreply@blogger.com0