Mindfulness &

how to be aware in an unaware world

Tag: less is more

  • Value

    Value

    “A human sacrifices their health in order to make money. Then they sacrifice their money to recuperate their health. And then they are so anxious about their future that they don’t enjoy the present; the result being that they don’t live in the present or the future, they live as if they are never going to die, and they die having never really lived.”
    – The Dali Lama

    I absolutely love this quote by the immensely influential Dali Lama because it has led to the life I lead today, as a minimalist and explorer who constantly questions his values in life.

    I had always agreed with being value-focused but didn’t really put it into practice until recently when I sold almost all my possessions, packed a 40L backpack, and began traveling the US and Europe.

    Throughout a year on the road, chasing my passion to travel and explore, meeting so many new people, and seeing so many new places I learned that a simpler life is a more fulfilling life.

    Through seeking minimalism, I found that recklessness is abundant in the Western world’s view of success and that success needn’t be defined by the amount of money in our bank accounts or the number of places we’ve been, it ought to be determined by the love we give and the love we receive!

    What I found through my journey was a greater discernment of choice. I began being able to see the impact of my choices at a deeper level. I started asking myself what my decisions, relationships, purchases, and commitments really meant.

    Constraints breed resourcefulness, self-sufficiency, and invention. So choosing a minimalist lifestyle with that in mind really made it easy.

    I was actually less content with more because all that stuff was getting in the way of my values: Time, Nature, Travel, and Connection.

    Every day we have a choice, albeit a difficult one, to make.

    Choice 1: Abandon the idea that power, prestige, and position provide happiness (because happiness is tainted).

    Choice 2: Abandon the idea that experience, relationships, and service provide fulfillment (and resort to Choice 1).

    It’s like the difference between change and transformation. Change sounds nice, right? Well, change is only temporary. If I change a habit today, then I can change that habit again tomorrow. But if I transform that habit today, there is no going back, no transforming back. As I write this, I am committed to a path that transforms me, not changes me.

    Today, I encourage you to reflect on the things that bring you true fulfillment. Take a moment to jot them down and commit them to memory. Let this realization guide you toward transforming your life in a way that aligns with your deepest desires.

    Three Links

    1. Dalai Lama – Wikipedia
    2. A Meaningful Life
    3. Adding Value

    Thank you for your time and attention in reading this post. It is a rare gift. Feel free to leave a comment or share this post. You can also buy me a coffee here if you feel so inclined!

  • Minimalism

    Minimalism

    What comes to mind when you hear the word minimalism?

    Minimalism is often thought of as the amount of stuff one does or doesn’t possess, but it goes beyond material possessions.

    Minimalism is the outward expression to own less, but it’s much more than that.

    I’ve come to define minimalism by constantly asking myself, “Does this item, activity, relationship, or opportunity bring me value in my life right now?”

    With that question in mind, as I write this post, I’ve listed a few things that bring me value, focusing on what I already have rather than what I’m lacking.

    Items
    Books: I value reading a good book in a plush sofa chair in a quiet library or while swinging slowly in a hammock at the park. A few of my favorite books are The Hobbit, The Alchemist, Ready Player One, Calvin and Hobbs, and Into the Wild.
    Black Betty: I value driving my car Black Betty, and yes she was named after the popular song of the same name by Ram Jam. I value my car not because of what color she is or how fast she goes, but because of the memories created with her. I’ve been all over the East Coast, across the Midwest, and up into Canada in my car. Currently, all I own is also sitting in my car, so it’s extra special!

    Activities
    Climbing: I value rock climbing, it is invigorating, challenging, and frightening all at the same time. Rock Climbing is often described by enthusiasts as ‘moving meditation’.
    Chess: I value a good game of chess, or any board game for that matter, which helps with critical thinking, problem-solving, and patience.
    Meditation: I deeply value my daily morning meditation. It allows my mind, body, and emotions to reset. Meditation also allows me to see my thoughts and actions not as good or bad, right or wrong, but simply as they are, and in the process, let them go with much more ease.

    Relationships
    Family: I value my parents, brother, and extended family who have always supported me no matter what path I choose in life, and whom I am eternally grateful for.
    Friends: I greatly value friendship, and seek out new friends everywhere I go. It is said there is no equal gift to a good friend. My closest friends constantly remind me how blessed I am to have them in my life.

    Opportunities
    Travel: I greatly value the incredible opportunity to travel this vast, dynamic planet, visiting friends, meeting strangers, and getting comfortably uncomfortable.
    Writing: I visibly value this blog, the journaling I do each day, and the physical and mental ability to express my thoughts and ideas in a clear, concise manner.
    Exercise: I value the opportunity to work out each day in good health and high spirits, whether it be a short walk around the neighborhood or a HIIT workout.

    I encourage you to try this list yourself. I think that you’ll find it very helpful in defining your values while finding gratitude along the way.

    As you might have guessed, yes I’m a minimalist, and the process of becoming a minimalist has not been an easy one, but not because it was hard to give stuff away.

    Most of the difficulty took place in my mind, being honest with myself about what I think I need and what I need.

    1st: Ask yourself (and be brutally honest), “Is stuff getting in the way of what is important in my life right now, friends, family, work, health, etc.?”

    2nd: If stuff is getting in the way, try doing the 30-Day Minimalist Game. Grab a few friends and a calendar, then go through each day together, remove 1 item on the first day, 2 items on the second day, and so forth. Whoever makes it furthest gets a prize (something small), like a pack of ramen, a hammerhead shark, or a left diamond earring.

    3rd: Keep a medium-sized box in your room and continually ask yourself, “Do I value this item and does it bring me joy.”
    If the answer is yes, then keep it!
    If the answer is no, then throw it in the medium-sized box semi-aggressively!

    4th: By now you have a pretty good grasp on minimalism regarding your stuff. Now apply the same idea to activities, relationships, and opportunities.

    And Wallah! You’re now a minimalist! Over time, the concept becomes a reality, and the reality becomes far too fantastic to give up.

    Minimalism is about a life filled with less of what we don’t value. And over time, this lends way to a life of more space, time, energy, and value.

    More reading on Minimalism

    1. What is minimalism anyway?
    2. Everything you own can fit inside a 40L backpack.
    3. Famous minimalists?
    4. A film about Minimalism in the modern age?

    Thank you for your time and attention in reading this post. It is a rare gift. Feel free to leave a comment or share this post. You can also buy me a coffee if you feel so inclined!