It’s funny the way my mind works. I come to a conclusion. Ha! An answer! And then I stew. I analyze. I ponder. I try to find grand connections to make my desires more relevant on a larger scale. Then I start again.
Take “downsizing” for example. In my head, I have been trying to relate my desire to have fewer possessions and a simpler life to the growing problem of climate change, our culture of excess, and what I can do about it.
So, instead of long-winded essays on the lack of governmental authority or corporate greed, all I’m simply going to say is:
I just want less stuff.
I want less chaos in my life. I want to regain a sense of playful exploration without the unnecessary burdens we force on ourselves. We spend too much time and effort buying and maintaining our possessions. The times I find that my wife and I are the happiest are when we get away from all that- camping, fishing, travelling, hanging with our kids.
Its going to take work. Sure. I am good with that. I have always been a work hard-play hard kinda guy.
Its going to be a struggle sometimes. Of course. I am good with that too. Life is suffering, right? But do we need to cause so many headaches for ourselves?
Perhaps living a simpler life also means a less complicated mental life.
Our Pretty Good Life 
I just listened to a great NPR On Being show about the Pursuit of Happiness, a panel discussion with 4 global spiritual leaders. They say that the pursuit is a myth, let your happiness catch up to you by being present to what you are doing. Your post fits in so well with what they were saying.
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That theme has been popping up more and more lately. Maybe it’s because I am thinking on how our current manner of living doesn’t really bring us peace that I notice it. Maybe the concept of slow down and happiness catches you (!) is becoming part of our modern vernacular.
Dunno. Either way, it’s like that climate change comment- “what if we cleaned up our environment and atmosphere and we didn’t really have to?!?”
Well, it certainly wouldn’t hurt.
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