Only Carry What Truly Matters

Ai Weiwei's 1995 performance piece "Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn"

In a society that equates success with material wealth, the ancient wisdom of Bias of Priene resonates more than ever. His assertion in Latin, "Omnia mea mecum porto" or "All that is mine I carry with me," invites us to reflect on the essence of our possessions and what truly defines us. 

This profound sentiment encourages a shift from valuing material goods to cherishing experiences, knowledge, and personal qualities.

The Minimalist Mindset

At its core, minimalism is about living intentionally with less. It challenges us to declutter our lives, both physically and mentally, and to focus on what genuinely enriches our existence. By adopting a minimalist lifestyle, we can create space for meaningful experiences and relationships. 

The idea that "all I own I carry with me" aligns perfectly with this philosophy, reminding us that our true wealth lies not in the accumulation of things but in the richness of our experiences and the depth of our character.

Resilience in Adversity

The phrase also speaks to resilience. Life is unpredictable, and we often face challenges that strip away our material possessions. In these moments, it is our inner resources—strength, wisdom, and adaptability—that sustain us. 

The ability to navigate life's storms is rooted in the understanding that our identity is not tied to what we own but to who we are. This perspective empowers us to face adversity with grace, knowing that our true essence remains intact, regardless of external circumstances.

An Existential Reflection

"All I own I carry with me" prompts us to engage in existential reflection. What does it mean to truly own something? In a world where material goods are transient, this question encourages us to consider the lasting impact of our thoughts, actions, and relationships. 

Our identity is shaped not by the possessions we accumulate but by the experiences we create and the connections we foster. This realization can lead to a more fulfilling and authentic life, grounded in what truly matters.

A Cultural Legacy

Throughout history, thinkers and philosophers have echoed similar sentiments. From the teachings of Stoicism to the writings of modern minimalists, the idea that our essence transcends material wealth is a recurring theme. By embracing this wisdom, we can cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. 

In conclusion, as we navigate the complexities of a consumer life, let us remember the wisdom of Bias of Priene. 

By carrying with us the qualities that define our character—our knowledge, experiences, and relationships—we can cultivate a life of simplicity and purpose. 

In nature, where the beauty of the world unfolds in its purest form, we can find inspiration to live with intention, embracing the idea that true wealth is not found in what we own, but in who we are.

What do you think? Do you think a consumer society over-rates material possessions while simultaneously under-rating one's character, life experiences, knowledge, and contributions to the betterment of society? Let us know in the comments below.

A note about the photo used in this post -

In this iconic work, the artist Ai Weiwei was photographed deliberately dropping and shattering a 2,000-year-old Han Dynasty ceramic urn, a priceless cultural artifact. The act was a bold statement challenging traditional notions of value, ownership, and the permanence of material possessions.

6 Simple Rules to Enhance Your Life

Are you looking for ways to live a more intentional, balanced life? Implementing small daily habits can have a profound impact on your overall well-being. Here are six simple rules that may help:

1. Leave the world a better place: Do something each day to positively impact your community or environment, whether it's holding the door for someone, recycling, or volunteering.
   
   
2. Challenge yourself: Engage in one task daily that pushes you out of your comfort zone, helping you grow and build resilience.
   
   
3. Connect with nature: Spend time outside every day, whether it's walking, gardening, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee in the fresh air.
   
   
4. Practice mindfulness: Take a few minutes daily to sit silently, meditate, or focus on your breath, calming your mind and rejuvenating your spirit.
   
   
5. Set boundaries: Say no to at least one thing daily that doesn't align with your values or priorities, protecting your time and energy.
   
   
6. Don't read lists: Be discerning with the content you consume; avoid mindless scrolling and only engage with material that inspires or educates.
   
   

By incorporating these simple habits into your daily routine, you'll be well on your way to cultivating a more intentional, fulfilling life.

Spiritual Consumerism

Art by Mark Henson

Colorado based artist Adrianne Tamar Arachne brings to our attention a form of consumerism we may not often recognize - that which purports to promote spirituality and self-healing.

She says,

"I’m no longer interested in any forms of spirituality, self mastery programs, success mentors, coaches, healers, spiritual thinkers, or activists that don’t ultimately lead their communities back to responsible association to tending the Earth.

 

The never ending quest for self-realization, personal brand mastery, self-success “soul”-preneurship all strike me as bypasses that have only served to keep us disassociated from what’s actually going on here.

 

Which requires us to exit the cult of individual success, whether seen through foggy spiritualized goggles or not, and get our hands dirty in the immediacy of our grounded environmental issues around us.

 

The world dies while we buy in to yet another charismatic voice telling us how to heal some yet unmastered part of ourselves even more deeply into narcissistic individual “success.”

 

The world dies while charismatics make millions on their self help platforms.

 

Sure.. and for that matter, Please: do your personal healing.

 

But if my healing only keeps looping back to myself, and doesn’t ultimately lead to reassociation with the Earth and my work to be part of it, then I’m just a casualty of healing-themed consumerism.

 

And still contributing to the problems that are destroying the planet."

 

Many years ago Henry David Thoreau pointed out that there is not much use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on. 

More recently, Adrianne Tamar Arachne implores us to ask something similar. What good is a spiritual practice if you don't have a tolerable planet to practice it upon?

Open Your Eyes To Simplicity

"There is nothing you need to achieve.

Just open your eyes."

 - Siddhartha Gautama

We look, but we don't see. We hear, but don't listen. We eat, but don't taste. Touch, but don't feel. We survive, but don't live. Everyone is too busy striving.

Striving to achieve, but achieve what?

A more sincere existence? A better world? Peace? No.

Not in a capitalist consumer culture in which we are trained to strive for other, less honourable manufactured, profitable and ultimately soul destroying desires.

• Material Success
• Physical Perfection
• Power
• Money
• Prestige

And of course, More, More, More.

No level of achievement is ever enough, because there is ALWAYS more to buy, consume, and hoard. The thing about the School of Consumerism is that you never graduate. You are never done. You always need to achieve more.

It sounds more like a prison.

We already have everything we need. If you can't be happy with a simple life, you won't be happy with the more complicated consumeristic alternatives either. Quit striving to achieve the things you are told to want, and you break free to live in a more natural, satisfying way.

Open your eyes to the joys of simplicity.

What Do I Really Want Monday?

What is the price of 'success'?

"Each one of us has to ask ourselves, What do I really want? 

Do I really want to be Number One? Or do I want to be happy? 

If you want success, you may sacrifice your happiness for it. 

You can become a victim of success, but you can never become a victim of happiness."

Thich Nhat Hanh

What's Out and What's In

OUT: The old dream of "getting ahead" by getting more money to buy more stuff.


IN: A new dream of "getting better" by getting out of debt, honouring your priorities, helping others and healing the planet.

Invent Your Own Life's Meaning

The point of living is to create a life that 

reflects your values and satisfies your soul.

The following advice from the creator of the immensely popular Calvin and Hobbes comic strip provides a point to living outside of the mainstream and its promotion of the "good life". 

Bill Waterson came by these words of wisdom from personal experience. Early in his career he worked for an advertising agency creating grocery ads, but he eventually escaped the corporate world to work on his own.

His quest for "personal fulfillment" lead him to create some of the most iconic comic characters in the history of funny. His wonderfully wacky world was born to a receptive and appreciative global audience.

How did he do it? By turning away from conventional modes of living and doing things his way. You can do it, too.

Bill Waterson's Advice

"Creating a life that reflects your values and satisfies your soul is a rare achievement. 

In a culture that relentlessly promotes avarice and excess as the good life, a person happy doing his own work is usually considered an eccentric, if not a subversive.

Ambition is only understood if it's to rise to the top of some imaginary ladder of success.

Someone who takes an undemanding job because it affords him the time to pursue other interests and activities is considered a flake.

A person who abandons a career in order to stay home and raise children is considered not to be living up to their potential.

As if a job title and salary are the sole measure of human worth.

You'll be told in a hundred ways, some subtle and some not, to keep climbing and never be satisfied with where you are, who you are, and what you're doing.

There are a million ways to sell yourself out and I guarantee you'll hear about them.

To invent your own life's meaning is not easy, but it's still allowed, and I think you'll be happier for the trouble."

Invent your own life's meaning.

- Bill Waterson

No Indoctrination Monday

How do you define success?