Artist

Alexander Averin

Wednesday 19 August 2009

Less is More



Time Passing By

The artist - Gyuri Lohmuller


Dear Diary,



fear less, hope more;
eat less, chew more;
whine less, breathe more;
talk less, say more;
love more and all good things will be yours.

Swedish Proverb.


I promised I would tell you about two books that I have enjoyed recently on the subject of time. The first was recommended to me by a fellow blogger and is called:

Ten Thoughts About Time. How to make more of the time in your life.
by Bodil Jonsson, a Swedish author

and by pure synchronicty (I don't believe in coincidences) I have picked a Swedish proverb to start my post.

When I read Mark's comment I looked the book up straightaway and luckily found it in our library catalogue so I put a request in for it and then (synchronicity again) I stumbled upon another on the same subject that embraces that less word word that is so dear to my heart at the moment. I thought the book was excellent as it seemed to make many practical suggestions for dealing with time.

It is called The Power of Less by Leo Babauta.



This is its blurb.

With the arrival of the 21st century we have encountered a mental and material explosion in the Western world: we have near-unlimited information at our fingertips, we can have children who are healthy and safe, and we have wealth and possessions beyond what most of the world can dream of. Yet we are more stressed than we have ever been: the majority of us are profoundly unhappy. But the flipside of our society is that we can choose what to accept, and what not to accept: what to keep, and what to lose, joyfully and consciously. With this handbook of simplicity, Leo Babauta shows us why less is powerful, the difference between what you want and what you need, and how to clear out what you don't.

This author also has a blog that needs no recommendation from me - it is in the top thirty blogs apparently but is (obviously) well worth a look, there are some great ideas there.

That’s all for today, my garden is calling me for some attention, I have a fig tree plant to repot, a bed to dig over, a seat to sit in and a Good Book to read - and heyho it is a fine day!

So bye for now,
Enjoy your time,
Cait

10 comments:

Pondside said...

Those Scandinavians know how to make the minimum feel like the maximum.
Thanks for the introductions, Cait. I'll look for the books and the blogs.
BTW I've just started a book that made me think of you - written by Cold Moreton it's called Hungry for Home - Leaving eh Blaskets: A Journey from the Edge of Ireland. I'll let you know how I find it.

TIGGYWINKLE said...

I love this type of book, Kate. Must watch out for them. We have included a lot of voluntary simplicity into our lives. I just wish I could declutter a bit. Less is more, and I find being focused in the present more rewarding as I get older. To-day I am restyling an outfit and accessories for a wedding on Friday.Much more enjoyable than shopping for something new I don't need.

Faith said...

I'm going straight to that less is more !

The bike shed said...

I'm pleased you liked the book.

I've been neglecting my blog recently - sheer pressure of work. And I'm of to France for 10 days tomorrow so will be back blogging, refreshed, after that.

Kimberly said...

I think I'll write down that Swedish Proverb and post it on my fridge. Lovely header photo and slide show!

Nan said...

Another synchronicity perhaps - I quoted this on my blog a while back, and I have it on my fridge. It says it all.

Maria said...

That's true you know. There's an overload of everything nowadays. We have to learn to live one second at a time again.

Elizabeth said...

I am totally on board with the philosophy of completely simple
and having fewer things
However
I'm awfully greedy for flowers and books.
All best wishes.

Unknown said...

It's a great book it's very informative thanks for the beautiful blogs..
Carol
Home Security Systems no CREDIT CHECK everyone is approved

CAMILLA said...

Hello Cait,

Thank you so much for the info on those two books, I definately will be reserving them at my local Library.

Love your posts Cait, and the new Header picture is just gorgeous.!

xx