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"There are at least 5 solutions
to every problem."
Penny Yunuba, Boston Your Money Or Your Life Workshop, 11/9/02

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Jill, Linda, Mike, Dave, Ross, Laura, Jenni, Kath, Colin, Don, Julie, Lenny, Gerry, Micky and Bob, welcomed John, Jim, Tracy, Laura, Kathryn and Kristen to their first meeting.

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

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

Non-Dualistic Holidays...
John brought the group the thought of "embracing darkness". With the holidays, comes the winter solstice -- the shortest day of the year, a day that contains more physical darkness than any other. John led a discussion on the importance of embracing the darkness in one's life, talking about it, and being sure not to ignore darkness. Go with the flow of life, and don't be distracted by life. Nature is a good example of this.

Your Money Or Your Life -- Boston Workshop, Tracking, Indiana Workshops...
The Boston Financial Intelligence Associates (FIA-MA) held a workshop in November, based on the book, Your Money Or Your Life (YMOYL). Mike & Linda attended the workshop, and led two small group discussions. FIA-MA coordinator Penny Yunuba opened the workshop by unveiling a banner stating, "There are always at least 5 solutions to every problem." We often only think of two solutions -- it's either this way or that. "My job is too stressful -- I either have to quite or take a less paying position". There are a least three more solutions to this problem. Sixty folks attended the all day workshop. Attendees are "pre-screened" by Penny, to be sure they are ready for the YMOYL program. If they are ready, each attendee commits to tracking their spending for one month prior to the workshop. To help them along, each is assigned a YMOYL Mentor. The all day workshop consisted of a morning and afternoon session. Each session began with a presentation, followed by breakout (small group) discussions:

• Morning Session
• Financial Intelligence Overview presentation
• Small Group Discussions
• Decluttering: Philosophy & Practice
• Grocery Shopping: Groceries for 2 for $100/month
• What Should I Be Doing?
• Letting Go Of Paid Employment
• What About the Children?
• Afternoon Session
• Financial Integrity Overview presentation
• Small Group Discussions
• Striving for Simplicity
• Dealing With Debt
• Writing Your Mission Statement
• YMOYL in Your Relationship/Marriage
• Why Step 9?
• YMOYL and Creating an Environmentally Sustainable World

Simple Living -- City vers Small Town....
Can you get a small town feel inside a big city? Is life in a city that different from a small town? Jill led this lively discussion. Some city folks don't really want interaction. Saying, "Hello" to those you pass on the street can be an intrusion. In a small town, you know just about everyone, but in the city, sometimes you have to zone out because there are so many folks. The group also noted dogs are universal buddies -- they give unconditional love and are often friendly to those they meet. A lot of folks are also drawn to dogs, making for casual conversation as they stop to pet the dog and/or say hello. Fear can be a factor too. Some folks feel safer in a small town -- there is a perception cities are not as safe as the suburbs or small town.

An Idea On "What to do with the rest of your life" --
Institute of Learning In Retirement (ILR)...
In questioning what to do with your free time once you've been able to simplify your life, Don discovered an opportunity at Northwestern University's School of Continuing Studies. The school offers a program called ILR (Institute of Learning In Retirement). ILR members meet weekly in small groups to study literature, history, science, fine arts and the humanities; to discuss current events and global affairs; and to deliberate over philosophical ideas with colleagues. ILR seeks diversity in membership -- there are no academic or age prerequisites. Membership fee for a full year is $360 -- this includes up to three study groups per each fall, spring and summer semester (fall and spring are fifteen week semesters, summer is a five week semester). You can check out the ILR web site for calendar updates and study groups: www.scs.northernwestern.edu/nuilr . Established in 1987 (and based on successful programs at Harvard, The New School, and UCLA), ILR is one of three-hundred ongoing programs across the country. In contacting the ILR, program director Barbara Reinish told Don this program has "...literally saved people from death", as it has provided many folks with opportunities to interact with others in lively, intelligent and inquisitive discussions.

Holiday Season -- ideas for nonmaterial holiday gifts....
"All sorts of stuff and ideas" came up during this session. Kristen and Ross led the discussion, which included getting input from those you'll be exchanging gifts with. This will give you an opportunity to offer alternative gift ideas and to discuss your reasons for wanting to do so. Also giving something of yourself makes it better for you and your recipient.

Simple House Construction....
As Dave continues to simplify his life, he's begun to look ahead at other places to live across the country. He definitely wants to live off the grid, somewhere off the beaten path, and posted this topic to gather ideas for simple house construction. This small group discussion included "cob construction", based on a book,The Hand Sculpted House. Passive heating, solar, and building techniques were also discussed. And in one of those "coincidental simplicity moments", turns out there just happened to be an architect in this group -- funny how that goes!

Volunteer Choices....
Laura opened this discussion, noting volunteer opportunities are abundant and extremely varied. Each organization has its own personality, value system and level of bureaucracy.

A few things to consider when doing volunteer work:

• Realize that what may have worked for you in the past may not necessarily work for you today
• Research suggests that there are three things a volunteer can do to make their volunteer work more successful: 1) don't volunteer with family; 2) volunteer consistently (once a week say); 3) don't be attached to the final outcome
• Consider the values of the organization for which you are doing volunteer work to ensure they are aligned with your own
• Get clear on why you are volunteering with the organization you volunteer for, i.e., to learn a new skill set, to make a difference, to get freebies, etc.
• Understand what it is you need from the organization to remain an active volunteer, i.e., recognition, gratitude, using a current skill set, knowing the volunteer force is well-managed, etc.
• If your volunteer time is not rewarding, consider speaking with the organization's staff to modify your volunteer tasks/assignment before walking away.

November Dr. Wayne Dyer Seminar....
Jill, Linda and Mike attended a seminar by Dr. Dyer last month. There were many parallels to Dr. Dyer's message and simplicity. Quoting Albert Einstein, Dr. Dyer said you can not solve a problem with the same energy that created it. Linda felt dealings with money didn't get her anywhere until she began applying a different methodology -- applying a different energy (YMOYL)-- to solve ongoing problems. Quoting from the book, Power vers. Force, one can calibrate the frequency of your energy, to be able to apply higher energies to overcome problems. Examples included responding to someone in anger -- "... if they are angry to you and you respond with anger, you are responding with the same energy frequency and that will not solve the problem. If you stop and think and offer a calm response, you are responding with a higher energy frequency and are much more likely to solve the problem." Dr. Dyer also talked about "intention" -- "...we're all sent here for a purpose -- there was intention. We are like a pumpkin seed. The seed was sent here to become a pumpkin. It's intent was to become a pumpkin -- it's can't become anything else. Our mission is to discover what is our intent. Life's lesson build -- each of our hard knocks and successes are part of the overall plan, they build to take us to where we need to be. LISTEN to where life is trying to lead you".

We closed the meeting and space at 12:12pm, and retired to Laura's home for a pot luck lunch and wonderful conversation.
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(Reported by Mike Lenich)