Sunday 8 December 2013

Something for book lovers

Today I would like you to propose an interesting position among the books about voluntary simplicity. There are many books that I want to have in my home library - books that inspire change for the better. One of them is A Real Life by Ferenc Mate. The author dedicated it to those who believe that a better life is within reach.

A better life - writes Mate - does not require any sacrifices: it is enough that we all begin to lead them. It simply means this: do the work that makes us genuine pleasure and provides security, eat and play in a way that brings health and contentment, cultivate social ties that give joy and fulfillment, generate loyalty and trust. 

Mate looks at the pitfalls of today's culture marked by consumption and intellectual shallow. At the beginning he considers the basic  human desire for happiness. In the following chapters, devoted to leisure activities, the author analyses the costs of modern materialistic life and proposes concrete escape. Much attention is paid to technology - cells, the internet, which seclude and give the illusion of social life. 

Book thoughtful, consistent, and full of  humor. Its conclusions are based not only on own experiences, but also on a broader study. I would recommend it to all who are weary of insistent consumerism and who are looking for an authentic and passionate life. 

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.
Confucius




Saturday 30 November 2013

Do we live in the real world?

Writing about the reality in which we all live, I think of  the phenomenon of consumerism. In Poznan, where I live now just opened a new mall. It is located in the city center and is connected to the new train station. It encourages consumers to shop during the wait for a late train, what happens in Poznan very often. 
Have you ever wondered how the shopping centers influence our subconscious? Bored and upset passengers go to this kind of mall to compensate his lost time by buying a new thing, which quickly becomes expendable. Unfortunately shopping has become for many people not a way of satisfying their own needs, but even a form of recreation and social activity. Purchasing items or services they spend money, but in fact also their lives - their time and energy of life, which they extended to earn this money. 

Turning to the wallet, ask yourself, if you want to "replace" a piece (and sometimes a large part of) your life on an item. Aks yourself if it really corresponds to your actual needs and values. It is important to be aware of the choices we make, buying even basic things. Try to think about real world, not just about "vision" of real world which is created by big shopping centers.  

It is not poverty plaguing us, but the desire for wealth
Marcus Aurelius




Tuesday 15 October 2013

Minimalism


People with less than 100 things? Is it possible? Yes, this is called minimalism and becomes more and more popular in a consumer society. This is certainly an alternative way of life that focuses primarily on interpersonal relationships. People  who consider themselves minimalists do not need a lot of objects. They prefer to spend time with others instead of running around the shops in a search for a new pair of jeans. They also do not accumulate useless things like old magazines and books or unwanted gifts and they are trying to save some money by conscious budgeting. But the most relevant feature of the minimalists is their attitude (to objects) which assumes people shoudn’t be so strongly connected with their material possessions. 


Does the choice of simplicity can be really satisfying and enjoyable? What can make us truly happy? Blindly following the latest trends and promotions or conscious choice of the simple life? 

For these and other questions I will try to respond by sharing with you my own experience and observations.