Less is More

I knew a man when I was in collage who's name was Less, and he lived in an old school bus that he had converted into his home. The bumper sticker on the back said "Less is More." I was much younger then and I liked the phrase, but I can't say that I really got it.

This morning as I was laying awake this phrase came back to me; "Less is More" and I realized how much joy, beauty and excitement I have gotten because I have had less than what I wished for. In reality I have gotten much more than I wished for because of deprivation. Here are some examples that come to mind.

* I don't have enough money right now to go out and buy organic fair trade food that I really believe in. I do however have soil, enough money for seeds and a love of gardening. I get so much more than food from my garden, which in all honesty I would not be so dedicated to if it was not a need.

* Some of my best dinners have been because of substituting something I do have, with something I don't. The absence of an ingredient has allowed me to be creative and innovative.

* This year Emerson, Isaac and I have been hand making gifts from re-purposing things that we would have otherwise trashed. As a result my children are so proud of the things that we have made, I have received the best Christmas present in the world which is quality time with my kids.

* When we lived in Eastern Oregon we were VERY isolated. We lived in a town of 120 people 3 hours from a town. We weren't like most people there, but granted, most people were not like each other because there were not enough people to form a click, a safe group where everyone was the same. At that time of my life, the absence of a monoculture community allowed me to grown in compassion and depth. Some of my best friends were in their 80's, or loggers, ranchers, PhD paleontologist, miners, natriopathic doctors, endurance horse racers, pilots. A group of people that only had geography in common. A neighbor their was less than 70 miles away. And, the deprivation caused me to grow into the very person I am.

* Our county is bankrupt and as a result they no longer pick up the trash along the road. It is yucky and an eye sore. John and I now have adopted that section of the road. As a result me now know our neighbors that otherwise we would not have met.


* We don't have TV and I love its absence in our home. Without it, I do not feel a sense of deprivation. Instead I now have the time and energy to go out and do something about the ills of the world like take my neighbor dinner, or make hand made gifts, bread and dinner. My boys now sit down and draw my comic strip books or put on Kung Fu shows for me, or we sit out by the campfire and tell stories.

* Our budget allowed us this year to pick up a wood stove, but not enough to pay for a complete instillation. As a result, John is doing all of the non technical work of installing it. Yesterday, the boys and I were going to have dinner with my family, and John had to stay behind so that he could work on installing the wood stove. He was bummed about this. So while I was at dinner he went to the hardware store. He told me latter he had three to choose from. He decided not to go to Lowe's because he remembers my rant about how they don't pay in taxes in AL so I got a pay cut.... so he went to Home Depot at the last second. While he was looking for material he ended up meeting a man who is trying to start a community garden and farmers market in an impoverished community about 45 min away. The man had a dream, but no connections or hard knowledge of HOW do reach his goal. He and John talked for about an hour and together they will make the news. Not the kind on TV, but the kind that will be talked about over a campfire in our yard, or with a poor man and his 14 year old son as they plant their first seed. Yes, the stove project is delayed again, but so much warmth will be brought through the garden that it is worth it.

I must admit that yesterday was hard for me on so many levels. I feel squeezed to the last drop at work, at home, financially, legal matters ect. Yet, when I pause, turn off the radio, listen to a student, hear my children, recognize the gifts of the little moments I feel so very thankful to be without. My porpose in life is not really to have more. I am overwhelmed as it is. I see now I need to take the time to really see all of the little things that have always been there but I ignored because of the clutter and noise of life.

I get it now, Less really is More.