A correspondence

Hello,

Often I find that we argue the virtues of voluntary simplicity in terms of so called "green" motivations about the unsustainable earth, our need to limit the amount of resources we use and the exploitation of foreign (and even local) labor in order to satisfy the West's never ending quest for consumption.

The point that is often mentioned, but rarely expanded is that simplicity increases happiness. I do not believe the average everyday person concerns themselves too much with the ongoing problems in other countries even though most of those problems have been created by the overall dominance of world economics by western countries. It is really just a modest cut that is required and I think most people would be willingly to entertain this cut if they understand the possible personal benefits from "cutting".

By limiting one's lifestyle even just a bit, there are new freedoms found everywhere. By reducing your personal expenses, you in fact reduce the amount of work required and thus increase the time you are not working. You increase your ability to buy things that you want by not buying things which are unnecessary but sold to by advertisements.

I can not imagine spending $80000 on a car no matter how nice or how much money I have. The idea no longer appeals to me. And the same applies for all possessions. I think convincing people of the damage being done on a global scale is nearly impossible - most people think locally if not just personally.

I do not mean to imply that people are inherently selfish. Their lack of concern is necessary because of the overwhelming complications of modern life. Working 60 hour weeks with ever-increasing demands on your time, attempting to raise well balanced children and maintain a relationship with your spouse does not leave much time to worry about the constant exploitation of foreign (and by foreign I mean foreign by neighborhood not just countries) workers and resources.

However, if we convince people to cut back just a little, trade the nice, luxurious car for more time with their families, their interests or their hobbies, most people will begin to realize that the stress they have endured is not worth the payoff.

Over the years as my income has increased I have realized that my life is almost exactly the same, I have the same amount of disposable income to spent on what I enjoy. The only real difference was I drove a nicer car and had nicer shoes and a lot less free time.

This is where I think the change will come if there is a change coming. Recently, I heard of a study that claimed that the vast majority of people feel they have too many demands of their time. Take a look at the people you know and you will realize it is true. If I can convince the people I know of one thing it is to stop blindly chasing the corporate carrot. It is just a way to make you plow until you collapse from exhaustion. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be successful, but financial success is not worth sacrificing every other kind of success, family, happiness, respect, wisdom. I think if we come to this realization, people will change and the result will be a sustainable and environmentally friendly economy.

I think the "green" issues of the voluntary simplicity movement should be seen as the reward, not the motivations. Happiness is the motivation, freedom is the motivation. There are countless people who have countless excuses why environmental issues don't concern them. I also honestly feel that most people see environmentalists as 'fad-followers' and no longer listen to them.

But talk of happiness and they are listening. If we can learn to stop the competitive spirit of the vicious capitalism that has spawned in the west, life would indeed be better everywhere. Somewhere along the line, I realized that even the poor in Canada, the US, Europe and other places still have so many luxuries to be thankful for, it is almost ridiculous and offensive to ask for more.

By all means, have your house, your car, your career and everything else, but buy a smaller house, a smaller car and choose a career that does not dominate you to the breaking point and you will live a better balanced life free not only financially but mentally as well. Oh yeah, and in the process we can stop the wholesale destruction of our planet. Give people a little more time and a little less to worry about and they will realize their "real world" ideas (of consumption finance, stocks and other purely human imaginations) are slowly (or not so slowly) destroying the REAL WORLD, our planet.

Anonymous

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