This is the season that I find myself thinking about this subject and rereading one of my favorite books ~ Living More With Less. I sometimes cringe at the idea of sharing my thoughts on this subject, because it's just not a popular subject with a lot of people! I never intend to 'convert' anyone. My passion for living simply, conscious eating, and minimalism is simply that...MY passion. It may not be yours, but in sharing my thoughts, I do want to challenge you to not only be more accepting of other views than your own, but also possibly challenge yourself to live in a more thoughtful way....thoughtful of your own health and well being, thoughtful of the world around you and it's resources, and how you treat it.
From the book: You can either save time or money, seldom both. Fast living is expensive living. When we're in a hurry we buy convenience food from the most accesible store. Because we don't want to take time to prepare meals at home, we eat in restaurants. The food we eat in our homes is more nutritious than many commercial meals and overall cost is considerably less.
There is a lot of great information in the book pertaining to all areas of our lives. The author is Doris Janzen Longacre. I find it so interesting that it was published in 1980. The jacket says the book was commissioned by Mennonite Central Committeein response to inequities in World resource distribution and to bring a Christian perspective to material consumption. I believe, however, that you can read this book and get a lot of great information even if you have no religious tendency.
I love that book! I think you were the person who first introduced it to me. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like it Lydia. There is so much good information in it and it reminds me of the value of simplicity!
DeleteWe have that book too and find seasons that we explore it more. I think living more with less allows us to be more creative and thankful for what we do have. This is a great book I think you may have told us about it...we love the book. I also like the challenge of not having everything the world thinks we can't live without.
ReplyDeleteOoo, I may have to find this book for my dad. He's lately been very emphatic that he doesn't want any Christmas presents he won't use, and that he'll disown us and throw us out in the Christmas snow if he sees even the hint of a tie, but this does sound like something he might read (especially as we're trying, once again, to learn to cook--hard when I'm studying all evening and both parents come home late!). Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteMadeleine- I so admire your family's committment to avoid the trap of gift giving out of obligation. I refuse to bow to the god of consumption, whether in holiday giving or related to food and entertaining. Simplicity is so much more satisfying.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment!