Less is more.
I become more convinced with the more I experience. The more I read. The more I am.
As many of us do, I live in a highly competitive, A-type community where nothing is ever enough. How disheartening to be surrounded by a constant feeling of dissatisfaction. While I was reading the multitude of blog posts and www entries and facebook status updates reflecting on the onset of the new year, I was overwhelmed with the constant theme of more, more, more.
I spent the better part of 2010 embracing less, less, less.
I stumbled upon one post that made me sigh with relief.
It is with this post in mind that I reflect:
A MAN NEVER EARNS ENOUGH. One who is able to provide for his family earns plenty. I know that "earns" takes on many forms, but a roof overhead, food on the table, clothes on backs, health care provisions and an education should be the simple, criteria. If a man does not earn that, the bare basics, then there is legitimate cause for dissatisfaction.
A WOMAN IS NEVER BEAUTIFUL ENOUGH. Beauty is one of those things that is truly in the eye of the beholder. Personally, I've gone through plenty of transitions. I've had the highs of being a paid model earning plenty to get by to being an overweight mama. I'm still the same person. Beautiful? Absolutely. It all depends on the standard by which you are measuring.
CLOTHES ARE NEVER FASHIONABLE ENOUGH. Fashion. Hmm. As a child of the '80s it takes on a whole different perspective. Anything is better than that! Mind you, I'm about simple. My wardrobe? Even if I were a fashionable size would still consist of black, white, camel and red. Simple pieces. Simple looks. Classic is good.
CARS ARE NEVER NICE ENOUGH. I've always been pretty practical about my vehicles only because the maintenance and repairs of expensive cars are enough to finance a small property! You'd think when you shell out a bundle that would be the end of it, but I've found (vicariously) that there is not often value for the dollar based on the initial outlay. I live in a Mercedes town and drive a Toyota. I'm a rebel :)
GADGET ARE NEVER MODERN ENOUGH. My temptation is always the $1,200 lens - but the challenge is rocking the $300 one I own. And I do. By chance or by design. It is the gadgets that get me. I think it's time to embrace (more) the analogue.
HOUSES ARE NEVER FURNISHED ENOUGH. I used to believe that, but really, as long as it's clean, easily maintained and happy, who cares? Which is my constant dilemma with my house.
FOOD IS NEVER FANCY ENOUGH. Hello, have you met my hips? Food can be too fancy! I spent all of 2010 changing the way my family eats. No more processed food. No more restaurants. No more take out. No more fancy. Fancy means calories, fancy means $$, fancy means time cooking, fancy means bigger hips. As long as it fills you up, meets the nutritional demands of the food groups, it doesn't need to be fancy. It needs to be nutritional, filling and tasty.
RELATIONSHIPS ARE NEVER ROMANTIC ENOUGH. Romance always scared me. It was as stable as ether. I was happy to settle for stable. Less chance of disappointment. Every relationship comes with a price. At least my price was not as far from reality as romance.
LIFE IS NEVER FULL ENOUGH. Full? Full I have in abundance.
My guiding word for 2011 is DO. I have every intention of DOing, but I will with the guiding principal that less is more and I have enough already. Cost does not mean value. More does not mean better. More is just clutter.
Less is more.
Do more. Embrace less.
My spirtual mantra for 2011.
