Watching ads for various chocolates where a woman eats one piece of chocolate as though she is in a state of ecstasy, I have thought “Oh, sure. One piece of chocolate is going to satisfy me.” Then at Christmas I discovered a container of Sanders’ Small Batch Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels. I am finished with any other chocolate! Really, one piece is quite satisfactory.
This experience got me thinking about how I might find other areas of my life to be satisfied with less. Chocolate is the least of my problems. I recall being at a retreat where a woman had recently embraced Buddhism. She had gotten rid of all of her clothes and now owned only 2 buddhist robes which she alternated wearing. I was both envious and horrified. I could not imagine giving up my clothes and having only two “boring” Buddhist “frocks.”
When Jenna was in college, I spent very little on clothes. I raided her closet for clothes she had left to fill out my working wardrobe. I remember thinking “Someday I will have a closet composed of clothes I like.” I have taken that to an extreme. I have more clothes than any person needs. I justify this by buying thrift clothes or items on sale. I give away a lot of clothes, things I don’t like as much, as more justification. I know better. This is a mere excuse to indulge myself.
If I’m honest, there is no telling how many other things would fall into the category of my excess….dishes, knick knacks, books, fabric. (Did I mention jewelry?) Yet, I have found a chocolate that only takes one to satisfy my craving. What else might I discover if I set my intention and energy towards it?
Tracking Happiness site from January 2023 offers the example of allowing ourselves to be seduced by latest model of cellphones: “When we upgrade our smartphone to the latest model, with twice as much RAM and quadruple the number of selfie cameras, then we are unfortunately very quick to adapt to that new level of luxury.
“Therefore, this level of materialism doesn’t result in sustainable happiness.
“In contrast, spending that same amount of money on experiences and spiritual values allows us to relive these moments after they have passed. Going on an amazing road trip or buying a subscription to the local zoo has more upside potential for our happiness because we can relive these experiences after they have passed.”
“Identify the essential. Eliminate the rest,” Leo Babauta wrote. May we ponder the wisdom of that and consider what actions we might be willing to take.
May we be bearers of hope, the “wait staff” of Hope’s Café for each other and all those we encounter. Shalom, Kate
Hope’s Café Bonus: In 2005, Leo Babauta was in a bad place: he was overweight, in debt, a smoker, and a procrastinator. He felt stuck and he didn’t know how to change his habits.
Then he discovered some invaluable advice to help him overcome his rut and change his habits for the long-term.He quit smoking and started running. He ran a marathon. He began waking up earlier and eating healthier. And then he started to share his learnings and experiences on his blog, Zen Habits. By the end of 2007, he had 26,000 readers, sold a book deal, got out of debt, and quit his day job.
On Zen Habits, and in his books, Leo shares tactical advice for changing and simplifying your life, being more mindful, and productive.
Hope's Cafe 