Money or no money, that's the question

Your weekly newsletter is a big joy and super delicious soul food. I read them week by week and always say to my wife that I really like them and that I want to reply and have never done it so far.

Today I am changing my pattern and make my reply true...juhuuuuuuu. I am so happy for you that you that you are living your values and that you follow your heart. It is a big pleasure to witness that you found what makes you happy and that you have the courage to live it. I adore you for that as well!

Thanks a lot for your generous sharing of all your wisdom. I love it! 

Coming back to your current newsletter I agree there is not need for worrying it will work out. Like Eckart Tolle says "Living in the here and now has no space for worries".

Good question also where can I spend less and make my footprint to Mother Earth smaller. One thing is that I will buy less. When I want to buy something then I will challenge myself and ask "Will this new item make me smile at least 7 times?" If yes then I will probably buy it, if I have a slight doubt then it is a clear no.

Thanks for your awesome work!

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Money or no money, that’s the question


"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."                                                                                       Native American Porverb

Some time ago I chose to leave the city and my old workplace and live a life according to my values and interests.  So far that has meant no “proper job” – and no money inflow. I live on my savings and soon I’ll start taking out parts of my pension. I admit that this sometimes makes me a bit apprehensive. 

Before I left my old job I checked my finances to find out where I could cut costs and save money. Quite a lot of places, actually!Living a simple life in a village without shopping or entertainment possibilities obviously also has reduced my spending drastically. 

I have chosen to invest the largest chunk of my savings in a house, and that also reduces my fixed costs significantly. My biggest costs are frequent trips to Sweden (every 4-6 weeks) to see my elderly mother, but there’s no space for “the little extra”, like pleasure trips, theatre visits, impulse shopping etc. You might call that a lack of freedom, but for me feeling free lies in not having to “sell” myself for a job I don’t want and a cause I don’t approve of. 
Luckily I don’t miss the little extras – instead I spoil myself with lots of fresh air, time to hike and read and eating clean, good food, prepared with love. 

If you live this kind of life you could start worrying about “What if I fall ill?” or “Will my savings be enough to sustain me for the rest of my life?”. It might sound simplistic, but I have chosen to settle for Faith. There is no meaning in worrying about the future; nobody knows how that’s going to turn out. Instead I hold the firm belief that things will be all right. 

I am actively looking for a part time job up here, and I’m convinced that one day something will turn up. Actually there is another important pleasure deriving from living on a small budget, and that’s knowing that I’m not eating into Nature’s resources more than absolutely necessary. 

Where could you cut down on consumption/costs today, making your life simpler and your footprint on Mother Earth smaller?

Wishing you all a Happy Week! :-) 
The Happiness Network