THE BENEFITS OF THE SIMPLER WAY.
Because the Simpler Way involves far
lower levels of monetary income and consumption of resources, at first sight
people are strongly inclined to reject it.
What is not immediately apparent is the fact that there are great
quality of life benefits in this way.
Consider for instance:
Living within
a strong community;
living close to many people who are friendly comrades, with whom you work and
play and who will help you out if you have problems.
Having a lot
of free time, because you would only have to work
for money about2 days a week. Thus much time for arts,
crafts, gardening, home-making, learning, personal development.
Living close
to nature, in a green landscape, with wilderness, farms, forests
close by.
Having excellent
food, fresh, grown nearby, diverse, without preservatives, best
taste and nutritionÉ
A relaxed pace. We would have far less work to do than
in consumer society.
Work
that is varied (you can do many different things in a day if you wish), enjoyable,
and worthwhileÉyou can see it benefiting your community. Work that is under
your control. Cooperative work conditions. Work
that enables you to learn new things.
Being secure,
from poverty, unemployment, isolation, adversity in old age, being secure from
the threat of violence.
Having access to
many skilled people, thus being able to learn many skills.
Being
healthier, because of access to high quality food, clean air and
water, more exercise in a more labour-intensive lifestyle, and especially because
of less stress and insecurity.
Living in a
leisure-rich landscape; having around you many animals, firms, farms,
forests, commons, ponds, community facilities, artists, projects.
Having cheap, well
designed, repairable, durable items, e.g., radios, appliances bikesÉ
Being involved
in self-government, i.e., in participatory democracy,
whereby local meetings make the important decisions about local development.
Being a good citizen.
Having a sense
of pride in your admirable society; i.e., a
society that cares for all, is civilized, friendly, does not allow anyone to be
poor or unemployed, has high standards, does not waste, is cultured, makes good
decisions, looks after its ecosystemsÉ being pleased at being part of and
contributing to a beautiful society.
A
ÒspirituallyÓ rich life; having meaning, purpose, hope,
inspiring surroundings and friends, and a society that inspires. Circumstances which
ennoble and bring out the best in people.
Being
respected for oneÕs contribution, no matter
how humble. Status
according to capacity to enrich the community, not from wealth or power.
Many
festivals, celebrations, rituals, ceremonies, focused on
local folklore and events.
Having control
over oneÕs fate, cooperating with others to control the fate of oneÕs
community, because we run our locality.
Enjoying
helping others, giving, contributing to working bees,
being convivial. Enjoying cooperating, collective action, reinforcing
solidarity, social cohesion and social wealth.
The satisfaction that comes from running a household economy well; growing, organizing,
cooking, repairing, having thins in order.
Peace of mind that comes from knowing that you are not living in ways that create serious global
problems.