Conscious Choice: Perks for the Soul

October 1999

Perks for the Soul

Practical deeds and philosophical ruminations that are good for us

by Ana Arias Terry

Simplicity is bliss. In the words of the Voluntary Simplicity Association, "It is a stripping away of the burdens of our daily lives so that we are left with exhilaration, spirit, and fullness...less work, less rushing, less debt is more time with family and friends, more time with community, more time with nature, and more time to develop a meaningful and compelling spirituality."

Fortunately for us all, the number of quality resources on how to simplify our lives abound. Books, videos, Web sites, institutions, seminars, classes, and one-on-one gurus have sprung up with a zesty enthusiasm that’s catchy. It’s encouraging to think that approximately one quarter of U.S. adults are changing the way they live. These so-called "downshifters" are ones who choose to pull out of the consumer rat race. Even more amazing is the 10 percent of the population that has taken greater strides toward simplicity. These "upshifters" lead a new breed of folks who fully espouse a social movement of more sustainable, gratifying, and spiritually connected existence.

But alas, where would the yin be without the yang? And so, despite the many tools, most of us have not mastered a complete metamorphosis from our complicated, hurried cocoons into voluntary simplicity butterflies. Even irony mocks us with its slightly warped sense of humor — for in the pursuit of wholesome living, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sea of simple-living methodologies.

The path to enlightened, voluntary simplicity will challenge our commitment to living our values. For that reason, the path is different for each traveler, and so, this article does not offer another prescribed paradigm for taking the leap. Instead, its goal is to bring attention to one of the many bright dots in the voluntary simplicity Mecca — a sampling of deeds and thoughts that feeds our souls and sits harmoniously in environmental balance. And while some words of wisdom emanate from famed individuals, others spring from average, foundering cocoonists.

William Henry Channing wrote one of my favorite reflections. It embodies voluntary simplicity. Take a minute to read it. Slowly. In passion.

"To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony."

This simple but deeply rich act of reading, soaking in the words while they paint the pictures, often will gift us with a smile or melancholy. By rediscovering mindfulness, we recharge our spirits and remember not take the beauty of the ordinary for granted.

"When we have a toothache, we know that not having a toothache is happiness. But later, when we don’t have a toothache, we don’t treasure our non-toothache." These wise words by Thich Nhat Hanh in The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching (Parallax Press, 1998) are a way of helping us remember that by engaging in mindfulness, we begin to cherish the wellness that was already available to us. "With mindfulness," he adds, "we treasure our happiness and can make it last longer."

Part of not taking things for granted is helping ourselves to see the spectacular phenomenon that life affords us. Albert Einstein suggested that "there are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is."

It’s funny to think that I have something in common with Albert Einstein, but it’s true. I believe we’re insanely fortunate to have been born into a species that, despite its many flaws, has the freedom to choose, enough reason to appreciate the world through our senses, the capacity to think, the opportunity to share our talents for kind purposes, and the pleasure of two arms to whose primary function — in my book — is to hug. Who’s to say that Fate couldn’t have rolled her die and wielded us ants, for example, instead of humans? There’s absolutely nothing ignoble about an ant, of course, but it just wouldn’t have been the same.

Besides arms with which to hug, our capacity to laugh and share happiness with others is another golden nugget of existence. As a wise Japanese proverb says, "Time spent laughing is time spent with the gods." If you’ve ever shared a gut-bubbling, ear-to-ear, spastic laughing fit with a loved one, you’d probably agree. "Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile," says Thich Nhat Hanh, "but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy."

It’s not so far-fetched that when we think about joy, we think about love. "All you need is love," the Beatles chirped to millions of fans worldwide. And while that exclamation is perhaps a pinch idealistic, nurturing love offers countless perks to the soul. "If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give," said George MacDonald. I believe he’d approve if we extended the category to include your spouse, your elderly parents, your sister, or the kid on the playground who helped an unknown toddler stand up again after a nasty fall. Which brings me to another useful rumination by Ralph Waldo Emerson: "You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late."

I asked my spouse and a few of my own friends to share practical deeds they’d recommend. Here’s a peek at what they offered:

• Host a Wine & Cloud Party — invite some friends, grab a bottle of Chianti, and head for the hills. Pick a good spot to lie down, watch the clouds, and share what images you see

• Initiate a bicycle or sunset picnic for the joy of it.

• Read stories out loud — not just to your kids — but with loved ones in intimate or larger settings.

• Stay out of your car — redefine a good day as one where the Sentra stays in the driveway, and proudly circle on your calendar the days you don’t use the car.

• Need less: Rethink and repair before you Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

• Play cards with friends instead of going out — it’s simple, cheap, and you can talk.

• Choose to live without major influences of popular culture and media.

• Avoid the urge to do six things at once.

• Give yourself permission to write, dance, or volunteer.

• Plant a small organic veggie garden — or a planter box. You’ll be surprised how connected it will make you feel to Mother Earth.

• Find friends who know that the glass is half full.

• Be aware of your environment; stay conscious.

• Find fun things to do that do not consume the world’s scarce resources.

• Share your knowledge and experiences with others.

• Remember that family ties are important.

• Stay spiritual.

• Read and continue to study...whatever you love best.

• Use it or lose it.

And when we wake up tomorrow, and we’re not yet belonging fully to the beautiful cadre of voluntary simplicity butterflies, let’s take heart. Tremendous feats are accomplished in small steps. Until we decide which of the multitude of paths to take toward sustainable consumption and simpler living, we can always start with a smile. After all, as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "It is not length of life, but depth of life."

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