A simple way to enjoy life is to choose to do without in some areas so
you can have more of what you really want in others.
I've heard it called the vacuum principle. As we do without in certain
areas we tend to get much more as the void is filled with something better.
When my wife and I started college we balanced 3 jobs and a baby with our college classes and homework.
Because of our lack of time and money we chose to give up TV for a time.
We sold a TV for grocery money.
It was amazing how much we didn't miss it. We enjoyed other options,
like going to the park, or playing games, or conversation.
We chose to give up the time and expense of TV and traded it for
more quality time with each other.
A few years later, a babysitter insisted we take her old
Sears & Roebuck 13 inch tv, from 1987.
Later in life we were blessed with a big screen TV but we still laugh
about the Sears & Roebuck experience.
Some of our neighbors have chosen to have one spouse ride
his bicycle to work so they can save money.
Consequently they were able to pay for some wonderful private schools for their children.
One of the best books I've read in the last year teaches some great
principlesabout doing without.
The 100 Thing Challenge is a powerful little book about managing
the abundance we have and valuing freedom over excessive accumulation.
Dave Bruno illustrates (with a great dose of humor) the way his life
has been enhanced by doing without excessive possessions.
(Photo courtesy Supakitmod)
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