Contentment

"True contentment depends not upon what we have; a tub was large enough for Diogenes, but the world was too little for Alexander."     Charles Caleb Colton

For about the past 10 years I have been quite content to not buy anything, or hardly anything. Living a small footprint lifestyle, and trying to approach sustainability has been rewarding and satisfying. Ultimately, it has made my life better, because I am just not into the whole buying and selling thing.

In the movie Say Anything the character Lloyd Dobbler (played by John Cusack) said, "I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that." I can relate.

One of my favourite things about living simply is that it has largely taken me out of the marketplace, except for basic things we all need. When I get money I put it in the bank - I can't think of anything else to do with it, as far as 'shopping' is concerned. I don't like shopping, and besides, I have what I need.

I have warm, dry shelter in a location I love. I eat fresh, tasty, whole foods. I have supportive friends and family in my community. I have time for creative activities like playing guitar, reading, and writing. I spend lots of time in nature.

My education has given me the desire to ask questions, seek answers, and apply what I know to make the world a better place. I feel safe and secure (as much as you can living in an earthquake/tsunami zone, or worse, under the increasingly right-wing Harper regime). I have a great partner that is my best friend. I have a healthy mind and body, although the 'healthy mind' might be a bit of an exaggeration.

To me, that all seems like enough. Would making my life faster and more complex make me happier? Could earning and spending more money increase my freedom and joy? I don't think so.

I feel like Richard Feynman when he said, "I am completely free, and there are no levers that can be used to influence me." I am the system's worst nightmare - I am content.