Words To Nourish The Mind

This week is the concluding part of the three-part series on cutting through the clutter to gain clarity. In the last two posts; I talked about physical clutter and how that is just a physical manifestation of chaos in the mind – Patrice Washington. Embracing minimalism in our lives can be difficult to do in a world that constantly feeds us with information and messages of so-called wants that are somehow packaged as needs. Our best life is often lived when we are out and about not stuck in the same stuff that prohibits us from truly living.  Being mindful and conscious of the choices we make from how we spend our time to how we spend our money pays dividends in the long run, as we are no longer influenced by dogma. For this to happen one must take the time to explore a different world, with a different lens or perhaps even a different message. When we pursue information, it not only informs the mind but nourishes the soul to seek the question that we all as...

‘People who live far below their means enjoy a freedom that people busy upgrading their lifestyles can’t fathom.’– Naval Ravikant. Most of us spend a good proportion of our lives consistently chasing the next best thing, filling life and space with mostly meaningless stuff that quickly goes out of fashion. It also gives life to the belief that stuff = happiness. For me this couldn’t be further from the truth; but I did once buy into this lie, along with most of the population. Until we receive a true awakening that there has to be more to life than chasing stuff and possessions – life may feel meaningless. We strive for better and newer, we will become ever more enslaved to always wanting more because one is never satisfied through the means of possessions. I suspect the rise of social media and seeing others’ lives through a filter can only exacerbate this perceived need or want. Living beyond your means seems to be the norm but should it be? I am making a conscious...

‘Clutter is the physical manifestation of chaos in the mind’ – Patrice Washington It is a tradition in the Chinese culture that we clear out the clutter in our houses and give them a deep clean before the New Year. I don’t consider myself as a hoarder but I still managed to accumulate a load of stuff that to some degree prevented me from enjoying my space because the house felt disorganised and busy.  It was hard to part with stuff especially if things hold a sentimental value so a happy compromise is streamlining my memories to fit into one or two boxes that are more manageable than a house full of stuff. In clearing out my stuff I found some books that I had double copies of so I started a book group with my friend and hopefully this will encourage me to read my hoard rather leaving it to gather dust. I also donated stuff to charity and made use of some forgotten / pre-loved things that incidentally I needed but couldn’t find or had forgotten about.  It ...