Writer Joshua Becker explains how he came to grips with the finite nature of our resources. He started, four years ago, by getting rid of unessential possessions, while knowing that he did not have the money to indulge in crass consumerism anymore. He came to understand that sometimes we own our possessions, and sometimes our… Continue reading Our Resources are Finite and It Matters
Category: Minimalism
The Antidote for Selfishness is You
It is easy to see selfishness in others. Politicians, corporations, and governments all seem to be wallowing in greed. We decry the injustices in the world because of their avarice. We may feel powerless to stop this greed but the power to overcome is within each of us. The first step is to look within.… Continue reading The Antidote for Selfishness is You
Maybe You Don’t Really Need More Money
It may be that the one thing we all have in common is that we don’t actually need more money. We may still want more money, but the fact is that most of us do not need more. The desire for more money may become a pervasive aspect of our existence. We get confused because… Continue reading Maybe You Don’t Really Need More Money
The Parable of the Lorelei
A mermaid, beautiful and alluring, sings from the top of a rocky point in the most dangerous section of the Rhine River. Like the sirens of the Homer’s Odyssey, she causes sailors to jump overboard and captains to forget about the deadly dangers surrounding them. Is this German legend about a seductive mermaid a parable… Continue reading The Parable of the Lorelei
We’re All Trading Our Lives for Something– Trade Up
Are we trading the precious time of our lives for values such as comfort, luxury and being better than others? Becoming Minimalist blogger Joshua Becker suggests we are, and believes the trade is a foolish one. These pursuits are self-centered, and don’t really satisfy. Instead, he says to trade our lives for social justice, significance,… Continue reading We’re All Trading Our Lives for Something– Trade Up
The Pursuit of Something Greater
Becoming Minimalist blogger Joshua Becker reflects on what holds value in his life now, as compared to his younger years. Sharing the story of his infatuation with his first car and how it lost its glow as he moved on to bigger and newer vehicles, Becker realized that “when something better comes along, the old… Continue reading The Pursuit of Something Greater
There’s No Sense Chasing the Wind
Joshua Becker suggests that in our search for happiness we often come up against the question, “Is this all that the world has to offer?” Whether we try to find satisfaction in a bigger house or bank account, alcohol, drugs, sex, or a job promotion, we often discover “we’ve only been chasing the wind,” and… Continue reading There’s No Sense Chasing the Wind
Influence. You Already Have It.
Becoming Minimalist blogger Joshua Becker write of influence: “…{I]t would be wise for us to stop always asking how to acquire more and instead, start asking what to do with the influence we already have.” Becker believes that once we realize the scope of our influence, we can begin to focus on being a positive… Continue reading Influence. You Already Have It.
Becoming Minimalist: Dana’s Story
“Becoming Minimalist” shares another story of a personal journey into minimalism. Twenty-one year old Dana says, “I don’t know why, but it is so hard to look at your stuff sometimes and really see what you have.” She describes her teenage bedroom as “organized chaos”, and shares her discovery that so much stuff was weighing… Continue reading Becoming Minimalist: Dana’s Story
7 Common Problems Solved by Owning Less
Joy and freedom are the results of owning less, according to author Joshua Becker. He and his family intentionally changed their lives forever by slashing their possessions by over 70%, and he shares seven areas of improvement that resulted. These include lowering debt, less time spent dealing with the accumulation and care of “things,” less… Continue reading 7 Common Problems Solved by Owning Less