How much money do we really need to live well?
What if we decided to work less and instead spend more time with our children/family/friends, in nature, doing things we loved, contributing to community projects, learning and sharing more?
What is your good life?
What brings you joy, happiness and meaning?
What is your measure of wealth and success?
What makes your life rich?
What brings a real sense of security and peace of mind?
How can we live well and work within the means of the planet?
These are some of the questions I explored with Trevor Jackson on ABC radio on 25 July during my weekly simple living segment.
https://soundcloud.com/user-523529725/work-less-live-more-how-much-money-do-we-actually-need
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From the Evening Show, QLD ABC Radio 612 on 25 July 2017. |
I typically work one day a week for income offering various forms education for sustainable living – and that is enough for our family of five. The rest of my time is spent in learning and sharing (making films, writing etc), homeschooling, growing food, being in nature, helping eco-community projects, and getting involved with my local community.
It is my conscious choice to live simply, live well, embrace the things which I value most, be present and fully involved in the things that spark joy in my life (and those closest to me), do things that I feel enable me to make a positive contribution in the world, and raise children that are aware, engaged, compassionate and active citizens who have the education, skills and opportunities they need.
I’d love to hear some of your responses to the questions above….
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I too like a simple life – most of our vegetables are homegrown, we home preserve, recycle, re-use more than most and we keep looking for ways to simplify our needs, However, for us our lifestyle must allow for travel (for myself and my family)- to expand my horizons and encourage open mindedness and humility about ours and others cultures and wisdom. Too much focus on just my little plot of land makes me too narrow in my outlook. And using media to experience the real world is, by its very nature, an experience already shaped by another's perspective.
Hi Sharon, Thanks for writing. I cannot agree more. I think it is imperative that we directly open ourselves to other ways of seeing and knowing, to challenge our assumptions, to experience new things and have our cup filled. Doing this through a filter is always an approximation of the real thing. Part of our homeschooling is world-schooling. We contribute to projects and communities beyond our own – volunteering sometimes, working sometimes – this way we can cover our expenses and have a deeply engaging and meaningful experience. I can feel the energy for another journey building in our house. Simple travel is to me very much part of my simple life thinking. Kind regards, Morag