interesting article

**Sara Noel** · 08-09-2005, 11:21 PM

hmmm

http://www.metroactive.com/papers/me...ple1-0030.html

**Darlene** · 08-10-2005, 07:12 AM

Seems to me most of them just don't get it. It's all about choices and we all have them.

**homesteadmamma** · 08-10-2005, 09:44 AM

Originally posted by Darlene
Seems to me most of them just don't get it. It's all about choices and we all have them.

I agree!!

**geniebird** · 08-10-2005, 09:51 AM

Boy, do they "not get it." They really believe voluntary simplicity is only for rich people?

**cthy1954** · 08-11-2005, 07:52 AM

"Voluntary simplicity can't be reached below a certain income"??? It is all about choices. Some simple, some a bit more complicated. It sounds to me that once again, something fairly simple has become very complicated.

One more thing, the $38.00 shampoo purchase because it "smelled so good"? I needed the laugh.

**geniebird** · 08-11-2005, 08:54 AM

After thinking about this one for awhile, I think that maybe they are talking about the voluntary part. Maybe they think the rest of use don't have choices. I don't know. But what they are doing with the "study groups" sounds like just another yuppie fad.

It's kind of like meditation. The popularity of it comes and goes. You can spend a lot of money on meditation tapes, classes, private teachers and you can spend lots of money for the rest of your life if you want to -- but that is all just window dressing. It doesn't cost anything to meditate.and the key to meditation is your daily private practice -- the way you live.

Seems to me that it's the same way with voluntary simplicity. You can go to all the study groups and throw out all the catch phrases you want. What really matters is how you put it into practice.

**Nada.Leona** · 08-11-2005, 08:55 AM

I'm barely making over minimum wage, and I'm working to make my life as simplistic as I can. That article was just rich in foolishness.

Bright Blessings!
Aphrodite Pretty

**PrairieRose** · 08-11-2005, 09:51 AM

It was a little strange and oddly written I thought. I agree that they were really "out there" with their ideas about how people who make a lot of money are the only ones that can afford voluntary simplicity. It was kinda stupid in places, don't you think?

**cthy1954** · 08-11-2005, 10:01 AM

Very

**Mamaw** · 08-11-2005, 10:55 PM

I think it depends on your definition of simplicity. My opinion is that anyone can begin to simplify their life by the choices they make. It is not just a financial matter. It encompasses decisions related to how you live on a daily basis not just how much you spend. Right now for me it is more a matter of deciding what I "need' to live and eliminating all the items and stuff that just take my time and energy but bring little or no enjoyment. I cant enjoy my life if it takes all the time and energy I have to maintain those possessions. Once I have a handle on that, I need to evaluate some relationships....sigh...that will be the hardest one for me.