Make the Ordinary Come Alive

A spring sunrise. 

Fresh flowers covered in dew. 

A simple home cooked meal. 

Laughing to tears with a good friend.

Each of these is a small, ordinary thing. Yet each also has the capacity, if we are open to it, to usher in an experience of grace, when life's goodness presents itself not as a prize to be sought, or bought, but a gift to be humbly received.

With the right attitude, a simple, ordinary life can contain precious marvels and wonders that create joy in a way that can not be experienced any other way.

What simple pleasures make your life come alive?

Finding Freedom in Fitness: A Simple Living Journey

I've always been grateful for good health, but at 63, I realized I'd never truly aimed for optimal health. Let's face it – it's hard, and only about 1-10% of us achieve it, despite its importance. 

So, last December I started a regular exercise program, my first sustained effort after years of sporadic failed attempts.

Now, nearly six months into a routine of daily stretching and strength training, I'm wishing I had started sooner. 

Here's a few reasons why I started, and how it fits my simple living journey:

To Be a Strong Caregiver: As my partner Linda's full-time caregiver, I need to be strong to keep us thriving together in our minimalist lifestyle. 

My role involves assisting her with daily tasks, and staying physically capable ensures we can continue living independently. 

Staying healthy lets us extend our time as partners in simple living without relying on questionable external systems.

To Preserve Muscle and Promote Metabolism: After age 40, muscle mass declines by 1-2% per year. Strong muscles fuel mobility and metabolism, keeping me active without costly medical interventions.

To Sharpen My Mind: Research shows daily exercise is a top defense against age-related cognitive decline. A clear mind is priceless, and I'd rather earn it through my own effort than buy into brain-boosting fads.

To Lift My Mood: Physical activity boosts mood and curbs anxiety naturally. In a world pushing pills for happiness, exercise is my free, feel-good ritual.

To Thrive in Outdoor Activities: I love biking and walking in the woods – low-impact activities that connect me to nature. Studies confirm being outdoors in natural settings eases anxiety and fatigue, making it a perfect fit for our eco-conscious life.

To Feel Good in My Skin: Sure, looking fit is a bonus. But it's not about vanity – it's about feeling confident and capable, a reward for choosing discipline over dollars.

Everything is Easier When You Are Fit: The greatest result I've noticed so far is that any physical activity is easier now, whether it's doing transfers with Linda or working in our vegetable garden. 

It's a lot of work to get to this point of ease, but the payoff is huge – I can handle life's challenges without undue stress.

If exercise were a pill, it'd be sold as a miraculous wonder drug that everyone would scramble to get. But it's not, and that's the beauty. All the side effects of regular exercise are beneficial. Few pills can offer that kind of efficacy and safety.

I didn't need a gym membership, fancy equipment, or costly supplements – just an old yoga mat and the resolve to start. 

Every Monday through Friday at 7 AM, I roll out that mat for about 45 minutes of honoring my body. Many mornings I'd rather sleep in, but my newfound discipline keeps me going.

My journey rejects the fitness industry's consumer traps. No sleek gizmos or overprice classes here – just hard work and a commitment to health as a fundamental aspect of our well-being. 

By staying fit, I reduce reliance on medical systems, save resources, and live lighter on the planet.

For Linda and me, this is more than exercise – it's a rebellion against consumerism and the sickness care system. Choosing health through hard work over shortcuts mirrors our choice to live simply, using what we have and finding joy in the effort. 

Together, we're building resilience, proving you don't need a lot to live well.

In a world pushing consumption, choosing discipline over dollars is a radical act of freedom. Start small, stay steady, and watch how far you go – without spending a cent. 

Share with us how you're promoting no or low-cost optimal health in your life.

Is a Simpler, Low-Tech Life the Key to Protecting Our Humanity?

“People are fed by the machine, but they are not nourished by it,” Wendell Berry warns us. Now we are not only not nourished by the machine, but we are at danger of being eaten by it.

Consumer culture sells us AI assistants, smart devices, even brain implants, as keys to a better life. Yet these tools threaten our mental autonomy—the heart of being human.

In a world racing toward ever-smarter AI, brain-computer interfaces, and hyper-connected digital lives, a chilling question emerges: are we sacrificing the sovereignty of our minds for the sake of progress? 

The real danger of AI technology isn’t just about privacy or data—it’s about the potential loss of our mental autonomy, the very essence of what makes us human. As Neil Postman cautioned, “Technology is a Faustian bargain. It giveth and it taketh away.” 

Advanced algorithms already nudge our behaviours, from what we buy to what we believe, as seen in everything from social media echo chambers to targeted political ads. 

Emerging neurotechnologies, like brain implants being developed by companies such as Neuralink, could take this further, potentially influencing thoughts or emotions directly. 

The stakes? A future where our free will is subtly eroded by corporations and/or governments wielding tools to shape our minds at scale.

This isn’t science fiction—it’s a plausible risk. Studies show AI can predict and sway behaviour with alarming precision, and discussions reveal growing unease about tech overreach. 

If we continue down this path, we might face a world where individual agency is overshadowed by systems designed to control, not empower.

Why Simple Living Matters

Simple living is our rebellion against blind adoption of new high tech schemes. E.F. Schumacher said, “It takes a touch of genius—and a lot of courage—to move in the opposite direction.” 

A simpler, low-tech life offers a counterpoint—a way to reclaim our mental freedom. 

By stepping back from the digital deluge, we can:

• Reduce Manipulation: Limiting exposure to algorithmic feeds (like those on social media) helps us think more independently, free from constant nudging.
• Reconnect with Humanity: Face-to-face interactions, unfiltered by screens, foster authentic relationships and critical thinking.
• Protect Our Minds: Avoiding reliance on invasive tech, like neural interfaces, preserves our inner world from external control.

How to Embrace a Low-Tech Life

• Curate Your Tech: Use devices mindfully—opt for tools that serve you, like a basic phone for calls, not endless apps.
• Unplug Regularly: Set tech-free hours or days to focus on nature, reading, or reflection. Studies show screen breaks boost mental clarity.
• Build Real Connections: Prioritize in-person community over virtual likes. Join local groups or volunteer to ground yourself in the tangible world.
• Question Progress: Not every innovation is worth adopting. Ask: does this tech enhance my freedom or threaten it?

A Safer, More Human Choice

The allure of new tech is strong, but so is the case for simplicity. A low-tech life isn’t about rejecting progress—it’s about choosing what aligns with our humanity.

As the AI juggernaut roles on at lightning speed, let’s hold fast to what keeps us free: our ability to think, feel, and act as sovereign individuals. In a simpler life, we protect the safety and authenticity we’re at risk of losing.

Henry David Thoreau warned, “Men have become the tools of their tools.” Let’s reject the tech tool trap for a clear mind, rooted in the real world. 

As we have been saying since 2008 on this blog, less stuff means more life. Simplicity today isn’t just frugal—it’s taking a stand for our very souls.

What’s your take? Are you drawn to a low-tech lifestyle, or do you think new tech can coexist with mental freedom? Share below!