12/08/01 VS Chicago Meeting Notes
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"Compassionate Simplicity (feeling a bond with the community of life)"
(Duane Elgin, Garden of Simplicity)
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Don, Jill, Dave, Pam, Jenni, Jim, Julie, Sue, Pat, Lisa, Roberto, Bob, Nick, Mary, Linda, Mike, Louella, Jon, Gina, Ross, Micky & Bob, welcomed Martha, Kath, Kim, Dave, and Nancy to their first meeting.
Linda opened the space with a brief round of introductions. Ross announced formation of a "Northwest Indiana Simplicity Group", beginning in January at the Munster, IN Public Library. The group then began posting topics, creating an agenda for the meeting:
- In what ways can we let our energy flow into our daily lives and live more consciously (Ross)
- Low cost/free entertainment options -- holidays, other, free tickets! (Louella)
- Your favorite frugal tips [cheap tricks] (Linda)
- What does "Simplicity" mean to you? (Woodie)
- Keeping animals--benefits of reuse, reduce recycle; compassion & responsibility; drawbacks; (Kim)
- Recent personal experiences in Egypt [November 2001] (Louella)
- VS mentors, friends, role models -- past and present
- OLSG's (Your Money Or Your Life On-Line Study Groups) beginning January, (2002 Mike)
Following, is a brief recap of the eight discussions:
What does "Simplicity" mean to you...
Woodie opened the space by reading the following excerpt from a piece written by Duane Elgin entitled, "The Garden Of Simplicity". "The Garden..." served as a metaphor and ultimately a visionary tool for the participants to see how all of their individual actions are linked together, "... as simplicity beds in a garden, each one unique and who's diversity is essential to the garden's abundance. May the garden thrive!" Study circles, YMOYL (Your Money Or Your Life), ecology, spiritual work... all are beds in the Garden.
Duane listed 10 beds in the garden:
Choiceful Simplicity (choosing our path through life consciously, deliberately and of our own accord)
Commercial Simplicity (healthy and sustainable products and services)
Compassionate Simplicity (feeling a bond with the community of life)
Ecological Simplicity (choosing ways of living that are sustainable and reduce our ecological footprint)
Elegant Simplicity (the way we live our lives represents a work of unfolding artistry)
Frugal Simplicity (cutting back on spending that is not truly serving our lives, by practicing skillful management of our personal finances)
Following this intro, Jenni described how she had begun her path by focusing on Frugality, but by coming to the monthly meetings had found there was more to learn. She explained that as she made progress physically decluttering her house, reducing her bank accounts, and reducing what she carries on her person (reducing from purse full of stuff to a wallet with all she really needs), that she also found a Simplicity of Mind occur. With her physical surroundings less cluttered, she found she could retain more in her head (i.e. it's a lot easier to remember ONE checking account number and balance than two or three...) She and others like Jill and Don agreed and added that it allows you to free up your mind to let other simple pleasures into your life that you might have otherwise missed --like shadows made by bright sunshine, the beauty of trees & Parks, and the company of friends. It also opens you up to allow for Quiet/White-space time.
This lead to others expressing how having fewer things to clean and maintain gave them more energy for people and activities that were more meaningful in their lives. Don described Simplicity as a process (of growth?) with many stages, that evolves over time and moves you from many material needs and paying people for many services to stages of fewer and fewer "Things" and relying more and more on your own abilities to meet your service needs. Examples like cutting ones own hair, and learning to distinguish between Wants and Needs were given. Another person explained that a group she has been meeting with had started out calling it "Simplicity" but decided to call it "Intentional Living" to put a focus on the thoughtfulness and awareness that the group wanted to incorporate more of into their lives.
Jill she has felt lately, upon looking back on the last several years of simplifying Externally, that she's now finding it a tougher challenge to declutter the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of ones life. Cluttered thoughts can be a more difficult obstacle to Simplicity, because you can't just donate them away, or sell them in a garage sale...
In what ways can we let our energy flow into our daily lives...
Seems since 9-11-01, conscious living is making more of an appearance. Even the great American advertising scene seems to be plugging into more consciousness.
Low cost/free entertainment options...
An innovative idea discussed was sharing of family dinners -- 3 families each take a turn hosting a dinner, one of three days a week. Something new at the movies is "twilight time" pricing -- in addition to Early Bird reduce admissions, there is also a Twilight Time reduction. Check you local listings...
Your favorite frugal tips...
Libraries -- free video/audio tapes, books, magazines, lectures, software, recycling books...
Use less -- toothpaste (1/4 inch or so), shampoo (just a dab), automatic dish washing detergent (about a tablespoon is all you need)Sharing with neighbors -- lawn equipment, tools,...
Paint -- mixed paint goof-ups from hardware stores/building supply
Theater -- ask to be an usher
Chicago -- lots of free activities in Chicago. Visit web sites, Cultural Center, Museums...
Medications -- ask doctor for samples
Planning -- plan ahead all your small trips and errands to conserve gas
Resale shop -- volunteer to work at a resale shop => get first dibs and 50% on items
Health Clubs -- work part-time and get free/reduced memberships
Focus groups -- get involved in focus groups and get paid for your services...
Make do -- simply make do with things you have, longer than you're accustomed-you might be surprised...
Share garbage pick up
Art Shows -- munches and free post cards are normally available...
Learn to cut hair
Teeth Cleaning -- Harper College's Dental School provides services...
Use consignment or clothing exchanges
Keep food staples readily on hand...
Use a soy milk maker -- soy milk costs pennies instead of dollars
1-800-NATURE6 -- mail order organic food
Trader Joe's -- lots of good food at reasonable prices at Trader Joe's
Keeping animals...
Discussion included feelings experienced with having/care for animals, pro's and con's, recycling aspects, how animals are an extension of how we live, and how animals can be an learning tool for children (care, love, & responsibility). Caring for a rabbit is a great way to experience the benefits of animals, and is also a great way to recycle your kitchen scraps. For ideas and information, contact the House Rabbit Society in Chicago. Animals seem to take up our excesses. Some are best left in their natural outdoor environments (snakes, turtles...). Having enough room AND time for an animal is a major consideration -- if you're away from the house all day and have troubles finding an hour a day to workout, you're not going to be able to find time to walk a dog three times a day. Drawbacks are messes and allergies. Volunteer at a shelter to determine if you're allergic to an animal. Involve a neighbor child to help care for your animal when you're away. You don't have to own an animal to enjoy them -- volunteer to walk neighbor's dogs, set up a dog walking/in home animal care service...
Kim also discussed her experiences with the Global Living Project (GLP) and their Ecological Footprint Summer Institute program (see http://www.netidea.com/~merkel/). Ecological footprinting (EF) is the combination of two books -- Your Money Or Your Life and Ecological Footprinting (by Mathis Wackernagel). Author Wackernagel developed an extensive mathematical format for determining how much acreage you would need to produce the materials you consume. Participants calculate their EF by weighing the items they consume compared the item's life expectancy. Generally speaking, items with longer life expectancies tend to need less acreage to sustain. Transportation creates a huge EF -- walking/using a bike are least expansive. Transportation costs also figure into the items you buy - buying a locally crafted item creates a much less EF than one purchased from China. Same thinking applies to buying locally grown produce. Kim is interested in starting a group to do EF - if you're interested in participating, contact Mike at VSChicago@juno.com.
Recent personal experiences in Egypt...
Prices are real good at this time. For $1000, you can spend two weeks touring Egypt. The locals are very friendly and security is very well provided. The tours are well guided, and you are watched over carefully by your guide. It is interesting to gain the other side of the world's perspectives on issues we currently face.
VS mentors, friends, role models...
Discussion began with recalling folks people have met or known who provided examples of how stuff/things/acquisitions are simply not important. Recall also revealed how those folks were fun to be around. Not worrying about things getting stolen, or how if confronted by a robber how really unimportant your wallet is in the grander scheme of things, were some thoughts discussed. Why is it that we feel we need so much stuff, when others seem so happy with so little? Isn't it nice to travel on vacation with a single bag or pack on your back? Why is that -- is it because there are fewer things to compete with your attention? If there are fewer things, do you then give more attention to what is around you? Ross suggested that there are some people who seem to be more able to live in the moment, and because they do, when you are around them, they bring you into the moment. This situation then allows you to tap into experiences that you might never have been able to have on your own. A mentor of yet another type...
OLSG's beginning January...
Following a successful pilot program last year, Mike announced a new round of study groups for the book, Your Money Or Your Life (YMOYL), will be beginning in January. The group sessions will be held "on-line", through the Simple Living Network (www.simpleliving.net), following the same format at the hardcopy workbook of YMOYL Study Guide For Groups. Fees for the groups are $50 + $5 work the hardcopy workbook. Mike will be one of three Group Hosts. The sessions are a virtual study guide group meeting. Each group will have a start date, for example a Tuesday. Each Tuesday, the Group Host will post a reminder of the assignment for the week's session via an internet discussion board group participants log into. Participants do the assignment, logging questions, comments, observations onto the group discussion board. Discussions continue through the week into the next assignment. The sessions are designed to walk participants through the first six steps of YMOYL, within an eight week time period.
Linda adjourned the meeting and closed the space at 12:05pm. We gathered afterwards until 1:30pm, enjoying a simple lunch and further conversation.
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(Reported by Mike Lenich)