Comments on: The Why and How of Simplicity http://artofgreatthings.com/2010/02/how-to-find-your-path-to-simplicity/ Better Ways to Live, Work, and Change the World Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:27:59 -0500 hourly 1 By: Sam Spurlin http://artofgreatthings.com/2010/02/how-to-find-your-path-to-simplicity/comment-page-1/#comment-989 Sam Spurlin Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:40:59 +0000 http://artofgreatthings.com/?p=2851#comment-989 I live a "simpler life" in order to focus my life around my core values. I get rid of the stuff that doesn't matter (both physically and mentally) in order to focus on what does. My exercise in less let's me do MORE of what matters. I live a “simpler life” in order to focus my life around my core values. I get rid of the stuff that doesn't matter (both physically and mentally) in order to focus on what does. My exercise in less let's me do MORE of what matters.

]]> By: How to Embrace Minimalism: 8 Different Answers from Leading Minimalists http://artofgreatthings.com/2010/02/how-to-find-your-path-to-simplicity/comment-page-1/#comment-955 How to Embrace Minimalism: 8 Different Answers from Leading Minimalists Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:26:12 +0000 http://artofgreatthings.com/?p=2851#comment-955 [...] The Why and How of Simplicity [...] [...] The Why and How of Simplicity [...]

]]> By: Jeffrey Tang http://artofgreatthings.com/2010/02/how-to-find-your-path-to-simplicity/comment-page-1/#comment-945 Jeffrey Tang Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:37:19 +0000 http://artofgreatthings.com/?p=2851#comment-945 I'm a super analytical person, so I tend to live my entire life "above the<br>eyebrows" if I'm not careful. As simple as it sounds, learning to step<br>outside of my head and just try things is one of the best lessons I've ever<br>learned. I'm a super analytical person, so I tend to live my entire life “above the
eyebrows” if I'm not careful. As simple as it sounds, learning to step
outside of my head and just try things is one of the best lessons I've ever
learned.

]]> By: dyanavalentine http://artofgreatthings.com/2010/02/how-to-find-your-path-to-simplicity/comment-page-1/#comment-944 dyanavalentine Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:32:10 +0000 http://artofgreatthings.com/?p=2851#comment-944 YES! Any action, I've found, clarifies and makes room for the next step to come to the surface. If there is no room, there is no new. I call that contemplation space "life above the eyebrows," and it has its place, for sure. But when I dip below the eyebrows, magic (really) is right there waiting to do the work for me. Thanks for the love. YES! Any action, I've found, clarifies and makes room for the next step to come to the surface. If there is no room, there is no new. I call that contemplation space “life above the eyebrows,” and it has its place, for sure. But when I dip below the eyebrows, magic (really) is right there waiting to do the work for me. Thanks for the love.

]]> By: Jeffrey Tang http://artofgreatthings.com/2010/02/how-to-find-your-path-to-simplicity/comment-page-1/#comment-943 Jeffrey Tang Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:29:06 +0000 http://artofgreatthings.com/?p=2851#comment-943 Dyana, the first thought I had upon reading your comment was: "Whoa! She<br>designed and made her own couch!"<br><br>I believe that, if we're mindful of what we do, things become clearer<br>through action than through contemplation alone. I try my best to sort<br>things out in my head, but I'm also working on translating those thoughts<br>into action, even if I'm not sure exactly what the right path is yet. I do,<br>then see what happens and adjust my thinking accordingly.<br><br>What I'm trying to say is, kudos to you for clearing out your living room<br>(even if it was "only" on a compulsion)!<br><br>I still think it's awesome that you made a couch. Even if you had to get rid<br>of it eventually. Dyana, the first thought I had upon reading your comment was: “Whoa! She
designed and made her own couch!”

I believe that, if we're mindful of what we do, things become clearer
through action than through contemplation alone. I try my best to sort
things out in my head, but I'm also working on translating those thoughts
into action, even if I'm not sure exactly what the right path is yet. I do,
then see what happens and adjust my thinking accordingly.

What I'm trying to say is, kudos to you for clearing out your living room
(even if it was “only” on a compulsion)!

I still think it's awesome that you made a couch. Even if you had to get rid
of it eventually.

]]> By: Jeffrey Tang http://artofgreatthings.com/2010/02/how-to-find-your-path-to-simplicity/comment-page-1/#comment-942 Jeffrey Tang Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:22:57 +0000 http://artofgreatthings.com/?p=2851#comment-942 Clearing mental clutter is huge for me too. Most of the time, the things<br>bouncing around in my head are more distracting than anything sitting on my<br>desk. I have to constantly remind myself to refocus and ask: "What am I<br>really trying to accomplish?" Clearing mental clutter is huge for me too. Most of the time, the things
bouncing around in my head are more distracting than anything sitting on my
desk. I have to constantly remind myself to refocus and ask: “What am I
really trying to accomplish?”

]]> By: dyanavalentine http://artofgreatthings.com/2010/02/how-to-find-your-path-to-simplicity/comment-page-1/#comment-940 dyanavalentine Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:08:10 +0000 http://artofgreatthings.com/?p=2851#comment-940 I am so glad to read more of your work, J. Thank you for living your philo. I recently donated two couches. I only had two couches. Now, my living room is clear, save for a mat, a hulahoop and three bookshelves. I hated those couches. (and one of them I designed and made) There was a rush of compulsion around the clearing, which I had promised myself a year before. I have no deep thoughts about why, how it will affect me, what it all means. I just know that when I got down to it--they had to go.I did it.Now I'm excited to be in my living room. Go figure. I am so glad to read more of your work, J. Thank you for living your philo. I recently donated two couches. I only had two couches. Now, my living room is clear, save for a mat, a hulahoop and three bookshelves. I hated those couches. (and one of them I designed and made) There was a rush of compulsion around the clearing, which I had promised myself a year before. I have no deep thoughts about why, how it will affect me, what it all means. I just know that when I got down to it–they had to go.I did it.Now I'm excited to be in my living room. Go figure.

]]> By: Jeffrey Tang http://artofgreatthings.com/2010/02/how-to-find-your-path-to-simplicity/comment-page-1/#comment-941 Jeffrey Tang Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:00:59 +0000 http://artofgreatthings.com/?p=2851#comment-941 Thanks! I agree; simplicity grows from inside and is then expressed<br>outwardly. We may express simplicity in different ways, but regardless of<br>the path we choose, the first steps are taken in our minds. Thanks! I agree; simplicity grows from inside and is then expressed
outwardly. We may express simplicity in different ways, but regardless of
the path we choose, the first steps are taken in our minds.

]]> By: jedleman http://artofgreatthings.com/2010/02/how-to-find-your-path-to-simplicity/comment-page-1/#comment-939 jedleman Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:35:00 +0000 http://artofgreatthings.com/?p=2851#comment-939 Jeffry, I enjoyed this post very much. You would think that simplicity would be easy to achieve. But, it really isn't. Especially if you have responsibilities of family, career, and hobbies (that are perhaps aspirations). It can be a real struggle to get simple. What is the zen saying? It is easy to be a holly man on top of a mountain? I think things like organization and workflow are important. But, I would also say peace of mind or letting go of the past and worries of the future can simplify our lives. Mental clutter. The stories we tell ourselves and the feelings we create around those stories. To me simplicity is being present in the moment and clear in my head what my objectives are in each of my life roles.<br><br>I am glad I found your post. Thanks Google Alerts!<br><br><a href="http://www.nosajects.com" rel="nofollow">Jason Blogs about clean and simple project management for everyone at <a href="http://www.nosajects.com%3C/a" rel="nofollow">www.nosajects.com</a</a>></a> Jeffry, I enjoyed this post very much. You would think that simplicity would be easy to achieve. But, it really isn't. Especially if you have responsibilities of family, career, and hobbies (that are perhaps aspirations). It can be a real struggle to get simple. What is the zen saying? It is easy to be a holly man on top of a mountain? I think things like organization and workflow are important. But, I would also say peace of mind or letting go of the past and worries of the future can simplify our lives. Mental clutter. The stories we tell ourselves and the feelings we create around those stories. To me simplicity is being present in the moment and clear in my head what my objectives are in each of my life roles.

I am glad I found your post. Thanks Google Alerts!

Jason Blogs about clean and simple project management for everyone at http://www.nosajects.com&lt;/a>

]]> By: LPC http://artofgreatthings.com/2010/02/how-to-find-your-path-to-simplicity/comment-page-1/#comment-937 LPC Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:08:52 +0000 http://artofgreatthings.com/?p=2851#comment-937 Wonderful post, Jeffrey. I think of simplicity as something inside most of all. Decluttering may or may not help, streamlining goals may or may not help, but the idea is to reduce ambiguity, confusion, doubt, and anxiety, and feel a clear way ahead. Wonderful post, Jeffrey. I think of simplicity as something inside most of all. Decluttering may or may not help, streamlining goals may or may not help, but the idea is to reduce ambiguity, confusion, doubt, and anxiety, and feel a clear way ahead.

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