The Business of Simplicity

It was probably 15 years ago or more, when my kids were still home and toddling around, that I first heard about the concept of simplifying your life.   I was in New York City for an escape weekend with my Aunt, and we were browsing the boutiques of SoHo. There, in an eclectic shop filled with books, stationery and accessories for self and home, I found a little book that somehow was calling out to me, Living the Simple Life: A Guide to Scaling Down and Enjoying More.

I can remember how I was drawn to the very simple design of the book with its square shape, silver cover with very simple lettering.  It was flanked on either side by two other books of similar design and concept by the same author, Elaine St. James -- but this one just spoke to me.  I was a young mother, overwhelmed by life, so caught up in the day to day, that I wasn't fully appreciating my blessings.

I remember thumbing through the book, putting it down on the rustic pine table, browsing around the store looking at funky scarves, stationery, and cocktail napkins -- and then going back and picking it up again.  I didn't want to leave without it, but I also didn't want to add another $10 to the sum of books I'd already purchased that I thought would change my life.  So the browsing courtship with the book continued for another 10-15 minutes, until finally my Aunt let me know she was continuing on to the next store.

Elaine St. James finally won me over, and my sole purchase for that escape weekend to The Big Apple was the book that, in many ways, changed my life.  I couldn't embrace all of the concepts that Ms. St. James introduced, but she helped me re-frame my thinking to cut through the clutter (not just material but emotional as well) so that I could more fully enjoy my day to day living.  Til this day I know it was $10 very well spent.

So -- why in the world did this memory of some 15 years ago come to me today and inspire me to write about it?  Well, since reading that book, most magazine articles, emails, or books that talk about "simplifying" get my attention.  Sadly, very few "solutions" are really what I would really consider simplifying -- they're just costly gadgets and gizmos that (in my opinion) give you one more thing to think about, instead of one less.   

Today's offender comes from the magazine whose name boasts simplicity -- and this section of their website that claims their "mission...has been to make your life easier with smart finds like these."   I'm not dissing the item , and truth be told, I enjoy the magazine -- I'm just commenting on the real value of these items from a simplicity perspective.

Real Simple suggests,  "Travel Shoe Bags - After traipsing around town, don’t just throw your shoes in your suitcase. Slip them in these lightweight packing cubes to keep dirt and odors separate from clean clothes." *


I say, "Really? Now on top of remembering shoes I have to remember a bag to put them in? Can't I just put my dirty laundry in the plastic bag the hotel provides and be done with it?"

They suggest,"Tea Bag Buddy - This handy silicone lid, which has grooves to prevent the tea bag from falling into the cup, not only keeps your brew covered while it steeps, but its deep well also acts as a convenient way to hold the used tea bag." *

I say, "How about using a spoon and putting the tea bag right in the trash?  Who wants to look at a dried up old tea bag anyway?  Plus, the odd shape of this little gem is a storage challenge.  KISS theory applies."

They suggest,  "Collapsible Lunch Box - This innovative food carrier is large enough to bring leftovers for lunch, but also folds down to hold a snack-sized portion as well. When you’re done, flatten the container and toss it into your bag."*

I say, "We have a winner!  I like this one enough that I will tell you that Real Simple says you can find it at http://www.papersource.com/ for $30.  I found the a similar one at Amazon.com for $23."

They say, "Pop-N-Go Scarf - Unpredictable weather can spoil your salon-perfect hairstyle. Keep this water-repellant scarf in your purse at all times and you’ll keep locks frizz-free." *

I say, "If you've really embraced the idea of living simply, you probably don't have a 'salon-perfect hairstyle.' that you are terribly worried about."

They suggest, "Bobble Brush - When was the last time you really washed that water bottle sitting on your desk? Give those containers a deep clean with this flexible brush designed to fit in and around the hard-to-reach curves on narrow containers."*
I say, "Huh? I love the notion that you have a refillable drinking vessel, but most that I've seen don't require a special brush.  Just saying..."

I don't know, maybe I'm crazy and I took Elaine St. James approach to simplicity a little too far, but sometimes I can't help but wonder if the business of simplicity has gone a little to far.

*Note:  All credit for the retail finds and product descriptives, attributed to Real Simple magazine -- which I really do enjoy, but sometimes I have to laugh at.   

Difference Makers - Part I

A couple weeks ago I posed the question, "What are you contributing?" I want to thank the handful of people who shared their thoughts and reflections about that post. As silly as it may sound, that post made me stop and think about all the people I've met (and are still meeting) who are making a difference in this world.

There are people like my mom -- the kind of people who make a difference and probably never even stop to consider it. They just live their lives, and their actions and attitudes make other people smile.

There are volunteers and philanthropists who support causes with gifts of time, talent and treasure. Having spent several years working in fundraising for a college, I never ceased to be humbled by donors who supported the college's mission. Every donor, whether their gift was big or small, made a difference -- and these generous people inspired me to really think differently about my own charitable giving. Though I'm not by any means what would be considered a "major donor," I give what I can to the organizations that are nearest and dearest to my heart -- and when I give, I always try to "reach." You see, even when the amounts aren't huge, every time someone "reaches" someone (or maybe more) is impacted by their generosity.

I offer this as an example. Supposing 2000 people committed to giving a college $25 to go towards financial aid. Basic math -- that's $50,000.

As the mother of a college-bound freshman, I can tell you -- for sure -- that even a fraction of that amount would be a burden lifted. For some families, it could be the difference between being able to attend college or not.

Now stop for a moment, and think with me.

What if just half of those 2000 people decided that, above and beyond the $25 gift, they would sacrifice one latte a month for the cause. At $3.50 per month, that would be an additional $42 per person per year per person.

[$25 x 2000 = $50,000] + [$42 X 1000 = $42,000]

= $92,000 for financial aid

WOW -- talk about making a difference....and all because 1000 people sacrificed a latte a month for a year.

But let me take this one step further. No, I'm not going to suggest that 3,000 people made this effort, or that people sacrificed two lattes -- that's just basic math and you could figure it out yourself.

Instead I want to talk about the ripple effect of good deeds. The people you know, and those you may never know, who will be inspired to act because of your actions.

Maybe your good deeds will inspire volunteerism or philanthropy -- or maybe they'll inspire more good deeds...or a positive attitude...or self-love. With all those good deeds going 'round, the good that you put out there couldn't help but come back to you.

Before I wrap up, I want to introduce you to someone who I've gotten to know, who I consider a real difference maker. I've never actually met this woman, I've merely read her words, and listened to her podcasts. With every post Tabitha inspires me to be more present in my life. To give. To share. To laugh. To appreciate. To choose a life of bliss.

Tabitha has a great story of overcoming many challenges in her life -- and turning obstacles into opportunities. Her life is all about doing right by others, and her kindness is positively contagious. She doesn't know it (yet) but she inspired me to sign up with an organization called Spirit Jump. I'll write more about Spirit Jump in Difference Makers - Part II -- but for now, suffice it to say, that Tabitha's inspiration is a great example of the ripple effect of good deeds.

I hope you'll take a moment to visit Tabitha's blog -- and if you have a few minutes, listen to her most recent podcast (there are a total of five podcasts that you can find on her blog, but this one she released today really hit home for me). Not only does Tabitha have a voice that's smooth as silk, but with each podcast she provides food for thought -- and nourishment for the soul.

So how about you -- who or what has inspired you in your lifetime?

Feel free to share links to the organizations that you believe in. You just never know -- your comment may just be the pebble in the pond to start a ripple effect of its own!

Feeling Guilty

OK --I'm feeling so guilty because I've been neglecting this blog, and my loyal readers. I am really hoping that I'll be able to get back into a better blogging routine next week because -- I MISS YOU!

The long and short of it, is that the past month has been extremely hectic. I've been busy developing a new service line for the consulting firm I work with. It's a whole new vertical for us -- and something very near and dear to my heart, so I'm really excited and busy with that. When I'm not in the office (which practically never happens between work and blogging), I've been enjoying this beautiful summer, working in the garden, and preparing for Amy's graduation party this weekend.






The fruits of our labor. Young plants -- hopefully will be more abundant next year.

I'm very excited (seriously) to spend all day in the kitchen tomorrow, cooking and baking. Not quite as excited about the cleaning that still needs to be done...but hopefully we'll have a good day on Saturday and we can be outside (and away from the dust bunnies). Right now the weather looks a little iffy -- so if you could, please say a prayer that it's a sunny and beautiful!