Why I Threw Away $40,000 (Or a Lesson In the “Just In Case Syndrome”)
“Our primary identity has become that of consumer, not mothers, teachers, farmers, but consumers. The primary way that our value is measured and demonstrated is by how much we contribute to this arrow, how much we consume.” ~ Annie Leonard, The Story of Stuff Since the spring I’ve been on another purge spree — taking a look around and figuring out what I no longer needed or wanted and getting rid of it. More books, over 100... Read More
Five Simple Ways to Make This Back-to-School Season a Bit Greener (and Cheaper!)
[Editor's Note: These last few weeks have turned into a bit of an impromptu digital sabbatical as I focus on other things. You know what? It's been nice being away from the screen. As the season starts to wind down, I hope you too can find time to unplug, get outside and enjoy what the world has to offer. Perhaps you can curl up with my new e-book to help you slow down and shift your perspective. As always, thanks for your readership.] [space] The... Read More
An Open Letter to CEOs Who Make and Sell Stuff
[Editor's Note: If you would like to use any or all of this for the CEOs in your life or as the basis for a letter to the editor of your local paper or even a blog post, feel free to do so.] space Dear Sir/Ma’am, I am taking the liberty to write to you on behalf of every single thing that calls this planet home. Most don’t know about it, but I’m sure they won’t mind. Their best interests are at hand. In respect of your time (I know you are... Read More
You vs. Stuff: Five Strategies for Winning Every Time
“Anything you cannot relinquish when it has outlived its usefulness possesses you, and in this materialistic age a great many of us are possessed by our possessions.” ~ Peace Pilgrim Over the weekend, we tag-teamed a huge yard sale with my in-laws. Truth be told, it looked and felt more like a bonafide flea market than willy-nilly yard sale: Table after table of stuff laid out under canopies; long lines of people meandering through... Read More
Deep Living 101: A Quick-Start Guide for Pursuing Your Own Path
[Editor’s Note: This is the final installment of the Deep Living 101 series describing what The New Pursuit is all about. Read Part 1: Defining What it Means to Live Deeply in a Shallow World. Or Part 2: My Personal Journey of Discovering Life's New Pursuit.] space We all have a role to play in life — a road to journey. For some, the road is easy to spot, easy to go down. For others — myself included — it takes time and a bit... Read More
Consumption Junction: 5 Steps Towards Reclaiming the Lost Art of Moderation
[Note: This is the second installment in a multi-part series reflecting on how a shift in our personal and collective perspectives can do wonders for achieving a new sense of balance within ourselves and the world. Read Part 1 (Perspective: Why a Shift is Needed and How You Can Do It). Read Part 3 (Imagining a World Without Labels). Read Part 4 (Interbeing: Why Seeing Everything in Everything is a Game Changer for the World).] “Frugality... Read More
