- Mahatma Gandhi
Less may be more, but it hasn't always been popular.
Some people trace today's "possession obsession" to the heavy emphasis on materialism that developed after World War II.
Consider the limited size of the closets in homes built during the Depression. Compare that with today's new homes that feature spacious walk-in closets, and plenty of storage space to store our "stuff". One-car garages have been replaced by three-car garages. The Hoover Era dream of a "chicken in every pot" has become the expectation of a TV (with remote control DVD player) in every room.
To support the consumption habit, Americans work longer hours than Europeans, in order to maintain our living standards and to acquire more and more things.
Is it time to choose to return to a simpler life-style?
Voluntary simplicity is cleaning out the clutter in our stuff and in our schedules. It's inventorying one's possessions and downsizing. It's examining how we spend our time and money, and cutting out the non-essentials.
It's making choices and discarding things and activities that keep us from following the real desire of our hearts.
- Little Burgundy Book, Diocese of Saginaw