Our society tells us that we must have many things to be “successful.””
The more mature I become, the more I believe that this belief system is not effective to achieving my life satisfaction.
My experience is that the more things and possessions I have, the more insecure I become. I feel obliged to maintain and secure these things, which take up not only my time but also my financial resources.
A very close friend of mine was born in the generation where all American dreams were realized. The father worked in a big company. He built a big house with a huge garden and drove a first-class car that had to be changed often.
The father left very early for work and came home late. The weekends were reserved for the maintenance of the house, garden, car and etc. The garden had to be perfectly maintained so that it made a good impression in public. No eating was allowed in the car and entrance was allowed only with clean shoes. The mother had always a lot of house chores because of the big house and garden and had always bad mood.
This friend of mine told me that he did not have a good life as a child, even though his family had the biggest house and the fastest car on his street. They were not happy in their house. His father didn’t have enough time to play with him and was very strict. There were many strict rules at home that were hard for a child to handle.
His parents have accumulated a large amount of possessions that are now causing trouble among the siblings. Then what value do these possessions have? If they have caused broken relationships?
Maybe some of you could relate to this story.
The decision of our life is in our own hands. We could direct the wheel of our life according to the choices that we are taking each day.
I believe that one way to maintain my satisfaction in life is to live as simply as possible. Less possessions, but enough time to develop my passion in life and more time to build good relationships with my loved ones and friends.
Here are some words of wisdom regarding simple life.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
Leonardo da Vinci
Simplicity is the Joy of Life
Koos du Plessin
You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.
Vernon Howard
Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough.
Charles Dudley Warner
To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter… to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring — these are some of the rewards of the simple life.
John Burroughs
Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.
Confucius
Here is an in interesting link on how to simplify life.
Live simple and enjoy freedom!
graliontorile