Living Simply = living intelligently

For some years, in the workforce, I felt like a hamster on a wheel. At the bottom of the pyramid of commerce, running on my little 'hamster' wheel - just a tiny cog in the giant machine of commerce, running between jobs to pay bills. Like ants, unfortunately most of us pedal away on our individual hamster wheels, trapped by the structures we've created to make life 'simple' for us. Or have we actually become prisoners to convenience, consumerism and comfort? I suspect the former is true.

In September last year when life went awry; in choosing to honour my dreams instead of returning to the hamster wheel, life was about walking my talk - and a very thin budgetary line! It's not always easy or comfortable, with $40 a fortnight for groceries and cutting energy costs. But I'm still here and - cold showers are actually good for us. (I wouldn't recommend cutting all heating and cooling however!)

When the body is always comfortable, we don't build physical resilience. Our bodies shut down their natural heating and cooling mechanisms; we get sick more easily. Neither does this comfort challenge us emotionally. The systems we created is about dumbing us down to make us dependent on them. Which creates a prison of helplessness. Distractions and addictions momentarily relieve the pressure of this reality but change nothing; often adding to further, especially financial, stress. Stress is a very insidious monster, responsible for up to 90 % of our illness and dis-ease.

However - there's so many ways we can strengthen our spirit and resilience; develop a sense of purpose and return to our authentic self. Starting with being kind to self and getting to know who you are as a person. What are your gifts and abilities? Spend time thinking in nature, away from distractions. Walk under trees and allow yourself to breathe. Grow an organic vege garden, grow edibles in pots or look for a community garden or allotment where you can meet other people also on this same path, and grow together. Companion planting and flowers will bring insects and birds to your garden, gifting you with Nature (watch the movie, 'This Beautiful Fantastic'). Get to know the names of the birds and wildlife around you; become a custodian of your dwelling space, not just an inhabitant. Create a worm farm or compost bin. Practice 'Reduce, Reuse and Recycle'. It all makes a difference, no matter how small.

Many of us are waking up, realising that smart and simple living with homegrown, homemade and other sustainable practices not only reduces waste and cuts living costs; but promotes self-reliance and empowerment, freeing us from the tentacles of helplessness to connect with wisdom from long ago. In this way we honour our ancestors as we step from the 'fourth world of separation' and trauma of the past, to the 'fifth world of unity', where good prevails.

A wide variety of organic, home grown produce creates optimum gut flora for self; brings in nature via flowering plants (plus a wonderful sense of achievement in growing them) as opposed to manufactured processed foods, which have little nutrition, are often high in sugar, salt and fats and contain additives not beneficial for our health.