by A. Simplicity on November 30, 2009
It could be said we don’t often consider what we already have and what truly makes us happy. In the modern world there are many of us striving to get what we don’t need to make us happy; living a lifestyle based on having, obtaining and needing more and more stuff to ‘feel’ happy and successful.
Happiness based on materialistic wealth is a scary pursuit, we can as Eric Hoffer states; never get enough to reach a state of happiness, as the very bases of this mentality is to always have more. [...]
Tagged as:
change,
choice,
consumer culture,
everyday life,
happiness,
modern life,
positive impact
by A. Simplicity on November 26, 2009
Having struggled with anxiety all my life it has only been within the last 6 or 7 years that I have overcome the control and fear that dominated my life through anxiety attacks and depression. Yet that tense, uptight, insistent part of my mind is still ever present and I have, for all the rest and time and space enjoyed lately, not been able to shake it. The thoughts and fears that whirl around my head, bouncing off the sides, a constant hammer that keeps me from truly finding the rest I seek in my soul. There have been times when I was able to let go of this whirlwind that dwells inside me and it was then that these thoughts would flow through me, acknowledge, but I was able to let then pass out of my mind, freely, like drifting clouds across the sky. [...]
Tagged as:
better future,
everyday life,
happiness
by A. Simplicity on November 24, 2009
To inspire positive drive and ignite a determination for achievable change we need to escape from the notion of fear; the ‘crisis’ attached to the social and environmental challenges we currently face… It is the positive elements in life that establish true desire and underpin real values. With optimism, conviction and certainty in our hearts we avoid giving in to the notions of fear and crisis. Positive change is achievable for all of us and is not dictated by constraints.
Tagged as:
change,
everyday life,
happiness,
modern life,
positive impact
by A. Simplicity on November 20, 2009
Our modern world loves to provide us with packaged convenience and perfection and the fruit and vegetables available from our supermarket are no exception. And yet many of us are making the switch to local produce as a means to have a more sustainable and positive impact.
Tagged as:
change,
choice,
consumer culture,
environmental impact,
positive impact
by A. Simplicity on November 19, 2009
“The Hopi Indians of Arizona believe that our daily rituals and prayers literally keep this world spinning on its axis. For me, feeding the seagulls is one of those everyday prayers.”
~ Brenda Peterson [...]
Tagged as:
everyday life,
happiness,
positive impact
by A. Simplicity on November 17, 2009
When trying to sustain positive change in my life I realised where I tend to fall down is through habit. The subconscious things that fill our daily life, our actions but also our reactions. Even though we go through life with good intention; it is so easy, at times, to slide into habits that do not reflect our positive intent. Good intention is one thing but to actually make the change and then stick to it can be challenging.
Tagged as:
change,
choice,
everyday life,
happiness,
modern life
by A. Simplicity on November 16, 2009
Something new has appeared on our televisions here in New Zealand and also in Australia; a TV advertisement campaigning against the inhumane cruelty of factory farming. I first saw the TV spot online a few days ago and tonight I saw it for the first time on National television. [...]
Tagged as:
better future,
change,
choice,
ethical,
positive impact
by A. Simplicity on November 14, 2009
“There are no prescriptive solutions, no grand designs for grand problems. Life’s solutions lie in the minute particulars involving more and more individual people daring to create their own life and art, daring to listen to the voice within their deepest, original nature, and deeper still, the voice within the earth”
~Stephen Nachmanovitch
Tagged as:
better future,
choice,
everyday life,
happiness
by A. Simplicity on November 13, 2009
Many of us are eager to keep our homes clean and safe for our families. We use various products to disinfect, deodorize, sparkle, shine and sanitize every room, appliance and piece of furniture. Unfortunately when we rely on conventionally cleaning products we quite often expose ourselves and the environment to potentially hazardous and toxic chemicals.
We need to consider the fact that we often come into close contact with cleaning products, especially laundry detergent and surface cleaners. Although the associated health risks from these chemicals, when we are exposed through typical household use, are likely to be low; the long term health effects and possible associated allergic reaction can be unknown. [...]
Tagged as:
change,
chemicals,
choice,
consumer culture,
environmental impact,
natural ingredients,
positive impact,
synthetics
by A. Simplicity on November 11, 2009
When looking to simplify our lives we are often faced with doubt; it is something we can come across everyday; either in our own mind or from the opinion of others. There is the ‘but,’ the ‘but’ that at times rears its head in our attempts to balance our own lives with a desire to live a more socially aware and sustainable lifestyle. [...]
Tagged as:
change,
choice,
consumer culture,
environmental impact,
everyday life,
modern life,
positive impact
