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"Folks don't change because they see the light,
it's because they feel the heat."
Jason, quoting a source at the 9/14/02 VSC Meeting

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Dianne, Cecilia, Linda, Anne, Lenny, Laura, Mike, Roberto, Deb, Grant, Mike, Colin, Nancy, Julie, Pam, Woodie, Ross, and Dave, welcomed Sue, Jason, and Gina to their first meeting.

Mike opened the meeting space with a round of introductions, explanation of the meeting format and announcements.

The annual EarthSave conference will be this coming October 19, at Northwestern University. Like last year, VSC is planning on having an informational table. Jill and Mike volunteered to staff the table, and are looking for others to join them. The conference is great, and a wonderful way to meet others interested in increasing consciousness. "Staffing" is simple -- it includes telling passerbys about VS Chicago, handing out information, and greeting folks as they cruise by the table. We will have handouts, photo boards and posters ready -- all one needs do is be willing to spread the word about simplicity in Chicago in the morning and/or afternoon. Admission to the exhibition area is free, and a nominal fee is requested to attend the lectures and presentations (fees cover speaker expenses). If you'd like to help staff the table, please contact Mike at VSChicago@juno.com.

A photo exhibition, "Earth From Above", is freely displayed in Chicago's new Millennium Park (Randolph & Michigan). Nancy reported a good movie to see is "The Fast Runner".

Gina added she is grateful for the group, so that she can explore the clutter in her life. It seems the more you have, the more things you need to take care of. Gina also said sometimes she feels like a victim -- "pressured" into buying and buying more stuff.

Mike reported on attending a gathering of seventy simplicity authors/leaders in Oberlin, Ohio August 22nd-25th. After four days of sessions, open conversations and reviewing available simplicity educational materials, Mike came away with a new response to when someone asks, "How do I begin to simplify my life?" -- "Invest 21 days in tracking the spending you do from your wallet => whenever you open your wallet to spend money (cash or credit/debit card), jot it down. That will begin building awareness of where you are spending your life." If someone wants to go further into awareness and/or what to do with their life, "After jotting down what you spent, ask yourself two questions; '(1) Did I get fulfillment from this expenditure - yes/no/not sure? (2) Is it in alignment with my purpose (what is my purpose?) - yes/no/not sure?'"

The group then began posting and arranging topics, creating the day's agenda. Following is a brief recap of the discussions:

What prevents most Americans from taking a good hard look at themselves?
=> How the world views us -- The effects of our actions...
Laura hosted this topic to explore the voice being heard the past several months that perhaps other cultures don't like/are concerned about our way of life. What does prevent us from taking a good hard look at ourselves? Arrogance, fear, and no time for introspection were some of the items discussed. Laura passed along a sheet of paper containing these three items and asked folks to silently rank them in order of importance: (1) Fear => can't handle the truth (2) Ignorance (3) Capacity. Further discussion included the concept that it might be the essence of man to horde, overpower...

When simplicity becomes a necessity...
Anne opened this space for conversation on struggling between voluntary and involuntary simplicity. Simplicity sometimes becomes a necessity when health or money issues arise. It's easy to take good health or a steady source of income for granted until it's gone -- when one is forced to reduce the things they are accustomed to doing. Sometimes these conditions bring about a realization that by having less, we actually have more. Because it wasn't a choice, maybe this form of simplicity is less stressful. Discussion included the Great Depression as helping build the character of this country -- "folks don't change because they see the light, it's because they feel the heat". The messages of this event are being lost as those who experienced it are dying out. Maybe rethinking our consumption habits with respect to the world is a necessarily.

* We've talked about Financial Simplicity but what are other ways you have simplified your life?
* How much is simplicity about money?...
Deb & Colin combined topics to explore other aspects of simplicity. Colin mentioned tracking your time as a means of gaining awareness into what really is important to you -- what pieces give you the most fulfillment? Tracking money could be useful too, but may not be everything. Quality of life is important. Journal writing can increase awareness in how you spend your life. The book, "The Artist's Way", talks about journaling the emotional stuff, then tabulate with reality. The group talked about what do you do with newfound free time and spirituality aspects of simplicity. Doing something for someone else can be a spiritual way of work. Simplicity is a way to create space for yourself and your spirituality. Grant added, "The pursuit of happiness is a fickle mistress". Turn off all the noise -- then you are left with yourself. As one gains a greater sense of who they are, they may not want to go there. Woodie talked about simplicity as enoughness, illustrating from the Fulfillment Curve. Freed up time can be used for community and/or environmental work.

How to talk about simplicity at work -- pressures to spend, talking about simplicity, etc....
Talking about/avoiding talking about simplicity at work can be a real challenge. Julie led this group discussion, gleaning the following: Don't be afraid or uncomfortable about being different. Don't beat people over the head with simplicity. Use opportunities to talk about stuff that is important to you. Stay away from religion and politics, and use humor whenever you can. Reciprocate on our own terms with social obligations involving money (entertainment, office gifts...). It may be necessary on occasion to use "little white lies", to politely say, "No thank-you" to social events Saying something like, "I'm saving to get out of debt and won't be able to go with you", can be helpful -- especially if saying no creates a fight. Simply sidestep, regroup and learn to avoid being placed in a corner like that again.

We adjourned the meeting at 12:17, and enjoyed a picnic lunch along the Chicago River at Adams Street.
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(Reported by Mike Lenich)