I am a minimalist, I think. I feel a sense of pride in not being possessed by things and keeping up with the Jones'. I don't like to shop just for sport; I make chicken stock out of my once a week free range bird from Met Market, after it is picked clean; I bring reusable totes to the co-op....and I don't usually like two of anything if I an get by with one. But, can I really know what true minimalism is whilst residing in the most consumer-oriented culture in the Western world? Doubt it. Do I really live a materially minimalist lifestyle like someone in a nomadic culture would? No way. Do I know what living without means when one has no choice in the matter, i.e. living in deep poverty. I think not.
After re-reading the book,
Voluntary Simplicity by Duane Elgin, I'm realizing that I can do better; there is value in being conscious of that which we take from the earth. How am I paying nature back? Nothing is free, after all. We all need to be more conscientious of our consumption habits, especially here in America. It would serve us all if we consumed less. Everything, without question, comes from the earth. We need to be frugal in all that we take from her and she will repay us for this respect in her glorious bounty.
