Simple Attitudes: Part Two
Having had an opportunity to mull things over a little, and having read the responses to my last article, I realize that there are a few more attitudes that contribute to the desire and ability to live simply.
Most people who have talked to me about living simply cite their concern for the environment as a major reason for simplifying. Most of them want to walk as lightly as possible on Mother Earth. They compost, recycle, reuse, repair, shop carefully for those products that have the least impact on the environment, and plant gardens. They often take the bus, or ride a bicycle, to work. Some are starting to telecommute if it's feasible. One of their priorities is to preserve the earth for future generations.
Some leave the city if they can, and live off the land as much as possible, in order to reconnect with the earth. This requires an intimate understanding of, and respect for, nature's cycles.
However, many cannot leave the city because of employment constraints, and others may not want to leave the city or the suburbs. But they still take an active interest in nature, inviting it into their lives through planting small container gardens and creating wildlife habitats in their back yards. My husband and I fall into the category of being unable to leave our employment, so we have turned our back patio into a micro-habitat for wild birds. Since we have a garden as well, we pay attention to weather patterns, moon phases, and the way sunlight falls at various seasons so that we know what to plant where.
Many who take the simple living path also contribute time or money to local humane societies and to conservation groups. They agree that all species are interconnected threads withinn the web of life.
Making the decision to simplify is in itself a big step, followed by the even larger step of implementing a plan. However we can easily fall back down those steps if we haven't learned to say "no." Demands for our attention and resources crop up everywhere and have a persistent habit of sneaking up on us.
Our society tends to reward people who say "yes" to increasing their work hours, debt loads, and memberships in social and professional organizations.
Many find it difficult to say "no" because they don't want to offend the person who asks them to chair another committee. Or they may feel guilty about saying "no" to a teen who wants a new car.
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