Do you believe it, instead of the more things you have, make you more relieve? More and more excess goods can even reduce the level of satisfaction. At least that’s what I learned from Francine Jay, in her book, Minimalist Living Art. Four lessons struck me from Jay, including:
“The things we have do not reflect ourselves.”
The above thought certainly seems very contradictory to what advertisements like today are echoing. Several items are now being sold to impress others – or to manifest our self-image in our shadow.
An example of a car, any vehicle can help us go from point A to point B. Why are some people willing to pay double or even triple the price for this type of luxury car?
The answer, because car manufacturers spend huge funds on advertising agencies to make sure that our vehicles we have ‘form a cool image’!
“Fewer items = more freedom.”
The joy that we initially felt, slowly faded due to the burden of care and maintenance that we bear. We think we never have enough time; maybe our things are the cause.
How many hours have been wasted going to the garage for motorcycle service; How many times do you use holidays to repair and maintain goods?
We feel we never have enough time; maybe our things are the cause.
Now, try to imagine life with only half of the things we have today. We will be relieved and comfortable! Hard work and worries were reduced by half. There will be less obligation to clean, maintain, repair, and of course to pay credit card debt!
The result: more money, time, and energy! Moreover, you can maintain your time and energy by getting more money from poker games. By playing poker game, you can get more fun many high prizes will awaits for you!
“After our basic needs are met, our happiness is no longer determined by the number of items we have.”
The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, “Those who feel that they have enough are rich.” “Fair Enough” standards are different for each person. But, according to the dictionary, “Fair Enough” means “can meet the needs or satisfy the desires, no less.” Once all the basic needs are met, our happiness is no longer determined by the number of goods we have.
After moving from this point on, the satisfaction we get from consuming goods outside of basic needs will decline rapidly. In economics, there is the term “saturation point.” Excessive products can reduce our pleasure level.
If we can see that our lives are sufficient and can appreciate what we already have, we will not want anything else.
“Live humble so that others can live.”
Imagine, in this world; we live with more than seven billion other people. Our space and resources are limited. How can we guarantee there is enough food, water, land, and energy for the present and future inhabitants of the earth? The step is by using sufficient resources and not be wasteful.
If we are wasteful, we may sacrifice the rights of others, both now and in future generations. We may not be extravagant, but for others — maybe the ‘more’ things that belong to us can be the determinant of life and death.