Joshua Becker's Blog, page 132

What’s Keeping You From Going Further?

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Scott Stephens of Ending Average. 

You park your car at the trailhead, hop out and grab your pack. As you’re running through the list in your mind, you worry that you forgot something.

Did you grab everything?

Stove? Tent? Food? Check, check and check.

You’ve got the essentials: sleeping bag and pad, water filter, boots and extra socks. That’s everything right?

You still haven’t decided for sure how far in you’re going, but you’ve got just the place in mind. You just need to get out there.

Just in Case

As you zip up your pack, you notice an extra jacket. “Better throw that in,” you tell yourself. “You never know.”

While you’re at it, you grab another coat, a sweatshirt and that wool pullover you love. You better throw in a couple of extra granola bars too. You can probably squeeze your shoes in too, in case your boots get too hot, wet or something.

You never know.

Now you finally zip up your [very swollen] pack. You heave it up over your shoulders, and buckle for a second under the weight. No worries. It feels a lot better once you get it adjusted. You can do this.

“Alright, let’s go.”

The Fork in the Trail

You’ve gone ten miles in and you’re pretty tired now. You realize those last-minute additions really changed things. You never even used them. But it’s still comforting knowing they’re in there if you need them.

As you look up and see a sign ahead, you shift your pack to un-dig the straps from your shoulders, and trudge on.

Coming to a fork in the trail, you see that you have two options.

The first is that short trail that leads to a peaceful lake with nice views of the mountains. You’ve been there before. In fact, it’s one of your favorite destinations. It’s not perfect, but it’s comfortable and predictable. There are normally a few other groups there too, but it’s still mostly quiet. It’s definitely more beautiful and peaceful than being at home.

As you’re standing in front of the sign, a nice couple passes you to head down to the lake. “I hope they don’t get my spot,” you think to yourself as you watch them head down the trail.

And Then There’s the Other Option

The second option is that trail that keeps going up the mountain. Seven miles, it says, to the falls.

You’ve heard about it from a few people. They talk about how incredible it is up there. You’ve seen pictures of the views, and they look amazing!

Most people don’t go up there, and it’s easy to see why. It’s seven more miles after the ten that led you this far. And it’s up. Way up.

The trail to the right is well-worn, wide and easy. It’s safe and familiar. The trail to the left is narrow, rocky and old-looking; like it hasn’t been walked on in years. But you can’t shake the idea, the feeling, that you should go to the left.

It’s true, you’ve always wanted to do it. You’ve just never made the time, or you were always exhausted when you got to the fork in the trail. But it’s been there, teasing you for years. The unknown, the new, has been right there for the taking, but you’ve always been exhausted when it comes down to it. Carrying that pack up there seems impossible.

What’s the Cost?

As you’re standing there contemplating your choice, and catching your breath, you feel something start to boil over, dissatisfaction, rebellion against your exhaustion and excuses.

“I’m gonna do it,” you hear yourself say from somewhere deep within. Shocked at the sound of those declarative words out in the air, you instantly start to gain confidence.

“I can do this; I need to do this,” you reinforce to yourself.

But your pack is really digging into your shoulders. As you look up the trail to your left, you realize those first ten miles were nothing compared to the terrain ahead.

“I have to do this. I’m done putting it off.”

You take your pack off, and get out your water. Eyeing the trail ahead, everything comes into focus. You know what you have to do. You can taste the pride of being at the top, seeing the view that 95% never take in.

You’ve decided. You’re honed in, and priorities have changed.

Your pack is too heavy. It doesn’t matter, you’re doing this. You take it off, rip it open and apply new rules to everything inside.

You take out that pullover. “Is this going to help me get up there? Nope.” You quickly reevaluate all of your pack’s contents with new eyes and start a pile beside your pack.

You add the extra granola bars, shoes, that extra sweatshirt and clothes to the pile. You even nix the books you brought, that extra coat too. You grab the heap of excess and hide it off the trail for the return trip.

You’re Efficient, Focused and Prepared

As you pick up your pack and throw it over your shoulders, you realize it weighs half of what it did, maybe less. Compared to before, it’s almost like you’re not carrying anything at all.

You feel free somehow. You’re efficient, carrying only what you need to survive and your journal to record the journey. As you focus on the trail ahead, you feel a fire deep inside, pushing you forward. You’re prepared not for any possible scenario, nor for comfort, but for survival and adventure.

“Let’s go.”

Time for Application

This sounds a lot like some hiking trips I’ve been on. It also sounds like life. What are you carrying unnecessarily?

We often add all these “extras” to our packs, just in case. They could be extra clutter, unhealthy relationships, bad habits or self-sabotaging thoughts. Or maybe these extras give you a false sense of security.

The truth is that while they seem light independently, the weight of all those extras in your pack is unsustainable if you want to lead a beyond-average life.

Those just-in-case items are keeping you from a life of efficiency and focus. They’re keeping you from pursuing your dreams.

What are you prepared to let go of to live the life you’ve always imagined? What is holding you back from success? Are you aiming for comfort and familiarity, or for adventure and passion?

Empty your pack of the extra weight. Embrace the unique skills, useful tools and essentials for survival left in your pack. Set your sights on the trail ahead, the one you yearn to take.

There is an amazing view waiting.

***

Scott Stephens blogs at Ending Average helping others break free from average, to create an exceptional life of adventure, passion and purpose. You can also follow him on Twitter.

Image: Daniele Zedda

Weekend Reads

There are many wonderful people online pursuing and promoting simplicity. When you find some time this weekend with a nice cup of coffee or tea, may you find inspiration in these words as they encourage others to find more life by owning fewer possessions:

The Rise of the Sharing Economy | The Economist. The rise of “collaborative consumption.”

Living With Less. A Lot Less | New York Times by Graham Hill. For Graham, it took 15 years, a great love and a lot of travel to get rid of all the inessential things he had collected and live a bigger, better, richer life with less.

How Simplifying Your Life Can Help You Refocus on What’s Important | Mark’s Daily Apple by Mark Sisson. Most of us have so much – much more than the majority of the world at least, yet we live with a misplaced sense of deprivation.

OccuPIE | Pie It Forward. Sarah and Chris are currently traveling the country serving up revolution, love and equality one slice of pie at a time. Follow their adventure on their webpage.

Eradicating Extreme Poverty Doesn’t Have to be a Dream| TED by Bono. By becoming a “factivist,” we can learn what needs to be done to end extreme poverty within the next generation. And the facts are beyond promising.

Image: Alex of Gothenburg

Maybe the Answer is Owning Less

“Anything you cannot relinquish when it has outlived its usefulness possesses you, and in this materialistic age a great many of us are possessed by our possessions.” – Peace Pilgrim

Four years ago, we sold, donated, or discarded over 60% our possessions. We removed clothes, furniture, decorations, cookware, tools, books, toys, plus anything else we could find in our home that was not immediately useful or beautiful.

At the time, the idea of owning fewer possessions was completely foreign to us. Nobody had ever told us living with fewer possessions was an option for life… much less a better alternative to the endless pursuit of more and more.

Looking back, while I would have never admitted with my words that I was seeking joy in possessions, I had become more influenced by our consumer-driven culture than I would like to admit. As a result, I worked long hours to earn money to buy newer technology, trendier clothing, nicer toys, faster cars, and bigger houses. I didn’t really believe the purpose of life was to chase possessions, but my calendar and checkbook sure seemed to declare that truth.

Choosing to intentionally live with fewer possessions was a decision that sounded surprisingly attractive. It was a decision that found its roots in our finances, our family, and our faith. We had grown weary of living paycheck to paycheck, weary of trading time with our kids to manage our possessions, and weary of pursuing worldly gain rather than lasting purpose. Owning less offered escape from the clutter in our homes. It offered escape from the clutter in our lives. It forced intentionality. And it offered the very ideals our hearts most desperately desired.

Since choosing to live with less, we have experienced numerous unexpected benefits. We have more time, more energy, more freedom, and more money to pursue what is most important to us. Owning less means less cleaning, less burden, less anxiety, and less stress each and every day. In short, we are freed to pursue our passions.

Over the years, I have come to define minimalism as the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it. I have found it to be a lifestyle that appeals to the heart and resonates with the soul. Owning less is an invitation that is appreciated, desired, and accepted when fully understood. It may be just the answer to a better life you’ve been searching for all along.

Weekend Reads

I hope this Saturday in March finds you well. I am spending this weekend in Austin, TX along with some friends at SXSW encouraging others to embrace minimalism as a foundation for entrepreneurship. Our hope is to inspire people to believe that doing work you love should be accessible to anyone who is interested. Living with less provides countless practical benefits. And when the fear of money can be reduced significantly, the path to entrepreneurship becomes far more accessible.

If you are in Austin, let me know via Twitter. I’m spending the majority of my time meeting new people and would love an opportunity to meet you too.

Regardless of where you happen to be, may your weekend be filled with intentionality and life-giving pursuits. Perhaps you can find a quiet moment to sit down, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy some of these posts from simple living writers.

What is “Simple Living,” Anyway? | Simple Mom by Tsh Oxenreider. Simple living means living holistically with your life’s purpose.

Life Without Stuff: Choosing a Minimalist Lifestyle | [Witty Title Here] by Ashley Riordan. Ashley’s story of paying off debt, finding minimalism, and the positive influence it has made in her life.

3 Words That You Need to Tell Yourself Daily | Nerd Fitness by Steve Kamb. If you can successfully implement this rule consistently, I guarantee that not only will your life improve, but the lives of the people in your life will improve as well. Everybody wins.

Anti-Frantic | Shauna by Shauna Niequist. So many of us, it seems, are really, really tired of the hustle, and the next right thing is to slow down, to go back to the beginning, to stop.

What are our Screens Doing to Us? | The Default Life. A four-minute video reminder to turn off the screen, think deeply, and soak in the sunset.

Image: jronaldless

Simplicity When Your Spouse Doesn’t Get It

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Sandy Kreps of Modern Simplicity. She is the author of Fresh Start: 31 Days to Simplify, Declutter and Rein in the Chaos.

One of the biggest issues people face when deciding to simplify their lives is this: Can I simplify my lifestyle if my spouse or family doesn’t want to? How do I pursue a simpler life when my family won’t help?

I was very fortunate that my husband has been on board with simplifying since the first time I mentioned it (my kids are a different story). While the majority of the purging, organizing, and schedule maintenance falls to me, it is helpful knowing he supports my efforts. Not everyone is as lucky as I am.

I’ve talked to husbands who were adamant that their homes not change one iota, and I’ve talked to wives who refused to let go of anything. It can be a tough issue when you are the one who is overwhelmed and struggling to find a clearer path.

Here are some tips I have found helpful to deal with this disconnect between partners:

Find Common Ground. It is rare that a spouse or family member is completely inflexible about simplifying. Often times, it is the fear of what they might say that hinders progress. This is why an honest, open discussion about your household’s possessions, needs, schedule, and goals is so important. Focusing on what you as a couple or as a family want out of life can take the stress off of the decision to get rid of that old VCR or stack of unread books.

Focus on the Positives. List out the benefits of simplicity. Keep the list in a place that gets noticed. Focusing on the benefits will remind everyone of the positive changes you are seeking. Getting rid of a time commitment that’s not important to you can make room in the schedule for a regular date night or family time. Cleaning out the garage means you can park your car in there. Selling some dusty collectibles can bring in money to pay off debts.

Seek Input. Remember, people don’t like to feel like they are not being given a choice. If you want to get rid of something that’s a shared possession, such as a TV or a car, put it up for a vote and respect the decision that comes from it.

Start Small. But make sure you start. Simplifying is not a race, and the more you make it feel like one, the more stressed and combative your partner will be. Your home, your schedule, your life didn’t become cluttered overnight, so don’t try to declutter it in one frantic weekend. Take your time and be deliberate with your purging. Not only will you make more thoughtful decisions, your family will have time to get used to the changes little by little.

Start with Yourself. You can’t change anyone, only yourself. So focus on the stuff that is yours – your wardrobe, your desk, your schedule, your stuff. The best way to change the hearts of those around you is to lead by example – forcing the issue will not win you any allies. If it belongs to someone else in the house, keep your hands off.

***

Sandy Kreps is a green living/simplicity writer and graphic designer. She blogs at Modern Simplicity, which is dedicated to simple green living with a modern style. She just released her first book, Fresh Start: 31 Days to Simplify, Declutter and Rein in the Chaos. You can also find her on Twitter.

Image: Tampa Band Photos

Exercising Without Noise

“Let silence take you to the core of life.” ― Rumi

Exercise has always been closely associated with my personal journey into minimalism.

For my first birthday after becoming minimalist, I asked for a membership to our local gym. It was clutter-free. It was symbolic of the change that had taken place in my life. It was practical, intentional, and beneficial for life.

When I first began working out, I listened to music with buds in my ear. Everyone else seemed to be listening to something. And thus, I assumed it must be the best way to get in a good workout. I listened to playlists… radio… books… speeches… even baseball games.

But eventually, after a long period of trial and error, I turned off noise altogether during my workouts. I immediately fell in love with the refreshing workout environment of silence. It was peaceful. It was calming. And I began taking note of the numerous benefits.

Benefits of Exercising Without Artificial Noise
1. I have learned to enjoy the gift of silence.

In a world that is constantly filled with noise and distraction, I have begun to crave precious windows of silence. Running without music/talk of any kind provides opportunity on a consistent basis to experience it.

2. I can better listen to my body.

Distraction-free, I am able to better focus on the messages coming from my body when I exercise. I can feel my legs loosen during my first mile, my breathing deepen on uphill climbs, or my arms begin to give way during a set of reps. This attentiveness helps me better assess my body and keep me from injury.

3. It provides opportunity for meditation and prayer.

I consider solitude, meditation, and prayer to be important disciplines in my spiritual journey. Joining these practices with physical exercise turns it into a spiritual exercise.

4. It stimulates creativity.

There are numerous studies that directly link aerobic exercise and cognitive creativity. With no outside influence directing my thoughts, my mind is free to wander and create as it desires. Some of my most creative thoughts came while exercising. In fact, this entire post was recently written during a 3-mile run.

5. It allows space to discern voices.

There are countless voices seeking to gain influence in our hearts and minds. Learning to discern the healthy from the harmful is an important, never-ending pursuit. I have found that extended periods of exercise provide heightened senses to evaluate these voices. As a result, I am able to more wisely determine which voices to follow.

6. I exercise with less baggage.

When I was training for my first marathon, I quickly learned the value of traveling light. Learning to run without the requirement of a music source allows me that opportunity.

7. It is safer.

I live in the suburbs. Most of my runs take place on streets alongside bicycles and automobiles. Practically speaking, I feel safer when my ears are tuned to the environment around me.

When I tell people I prefer to run/workout without music, most of them are genuinely surprised. They quickly respond with specific rationale of how music helps them stay physically fit. It helps keep them motivated, distracted, focused, or in rhythm. And I get it. I really do.

But for me, because of the reasons listed above, I’ll choose exercising without noise any day… and hopefully everyday.

Image: puuikibeach

Learning to Exercise without Music

“Let silence take you to the core of life.” ― Rumi

Exercise has always been closely associated with my personal journey into minimalism.

For my first birthday after becoming minimalist, I asked for a membership to our local gym. It was clutter-free. It was symbolic of the change that had taken place in my life. It was practical, intentional, and beneficial for life.

When I first began working out, I listened to music with buds in my ear. Everyone else seemed to be listening to something. And thus, I assumed it must be the best way to get in a good workout. I listened to playlists… radio… books… speeches… even baseball games.

But eventually, after a long period of trial and error, I turned off noise altogether during my workouts. I immediately fell in love with the refreshing workout environment of silence. It was peaceful. It was calming. And I began taking note of the numerous benefits.

Benefits of Exercising Without Artificial Noise
1. I have learned to enjoy the gift of silence.

In a world that is constantly filled with noise and distraction, I have begun to crave precious windows of silence. Running without music/talk of any kind provides opportunity on a consistent basis to experience it.

2. I can better listen to my body.

Distraction-free, I am able to better focus on the messages coming from my body when I exercise. I can feel my legs loosen during my first mile, my breathing deepen on uphill climbs, or my arms begin to give way during a set of reps. This attentiveness helps me better assess my body and keep me from injury.

3. It provides opportunity for meditation and prayer.

I consider solitude, meditation, and prayer to be important disciplines in my spiritual journey. Joining these practices with physical exercise turns it into a spiritual exercise.

4. It stimulates creativity.

There are numerous studies that directly link aerobic exercise and cognitive creativity. With no outside influence directing my thoughts, my mind is free to wander and create as it desires. Some of my most creative thoughts came while exercising. In fact, this entire post was recently written during a 3-mile run.

5. It allows space to discern voices.

There are countless voices seeking to gain influence in our hearts and minds. Learning to discern the healthy from the harmful is an important, never-ending pursuit. I have found that extended periods of exercise provide heightened senses to evaluate these voices. As a result, I am able to more wisely determine which voices to follow.

6. I exercise with less baggage.

When I was training for my first marathon, I quickly learned the value of traveling light. Learning to run without the requirement of a music source allows me that opportunity.

7. It is safer.

I live in the suburbs. Most of my runs take place on streets alongside bicycles and automobiles. Practically speaking, I feel safer when my ears are tuned to the environment around me.

When I tell people I prefer to run/workout without music, most of them are genuinely surprised. They quickly respond with specific rationale of how music helps them stay physically fit. It helps keep them motivated, distracted, focused, or in rhythm. And I get it. I really do.

But for me, because of the reasons listed above, I’ll choose exercising without noise any day… and hopefully everyday.

Image: puuikibeach

Bigger is Not Better

Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Jeff Shinabarger of Plywood People. He is the author of More or Less: Choosing a Lifestyle of Excessive Generosity. 

“Anything we find that is more than enough creates an immediate opportunity to make others’ lives better.” - Jeff Shinabarger

I was 24 and was asked to lead an event called Catalyst. And it grew. We saw the growth happen from 5,000 people to 10,000 people to 25,000 people and awareness continued to spread across the world.

But, bigger is not always better.

I wrestle with this tension everyday. More or Less? Every aspect of life feels like this tension hits at the core of what is success. More or less clothes? More or less food? More or less square footage? More or less time? More or less Twitter followers? In an age of continual progress, what is enough?

Often times, a relationship with one person can change how you see the world in a greater way than the largest audience that you influence.

We moved into East Atlanta Village. It has eclectic bars with the best sounds of up-and-coming musicians, and a community-operated bike shop. It’s a wonderful, diverse place to live. We were moving from a two-bedroom to a three-bedroom home. We just didn’t expect what would happen next.

When we moved into our house, it was only a few hours before a man rang the doorbell. This was our neighborhood welcoming committee of one.

He had one of those smiles that implies he’s got some hard stories to tell. His teeth were a little crooked, yet very white. He was wearing a Cincinnati Red’s hat cocked to one side. My new neighbor’s name was Clarence, and as I learned that day, he was always “looking for work.” I also learned quickly that Clarence worked hard. The difference between Clarence and many of my other neighbors is simply he had no home.

It’s not that I had never met a homeless person before. But this was different. Clarence pushed me over the edge. He was my neighbor. I couldn’t get away from him. And I liked him. The constant smirk of a smile got under my skin and into my heart.

Our relationship introduced a barrage of new questions for my life: How do I love my neighbor when my neighbor has no front door or even walls? My previous worldview assumed my neighbor would be living in the same context as me: in a home. I thought the fabric on our couch or our dinner choices may be different, but I never really imagined my neighbor without a refrigerator or a shower. 

With one doorbell ring, all the ways I looked at my day-to-day life instantly changed.

Suddenly I saw my life through Clarence’s eyes. What he saw looking through my front door was abundance. I have not one but two living areas that anyone can actually see from the front door. I have air conditioning for those hot days in Atlanta. I have a toilet and shower in each of my two bathrooms and I even have a washer and dryer for my clothes. And speaking of clothes, my wife and I each had our own walk-in closet filled with them. Clarence didn’t have to say a thing to me. Just having this new relationship in my life changed the way that I looked at what I have been given.

My material excess and his material need made for a confusing symbiotic relationship. We both knew there was no way that I could fully grasp what it would feel like to not have a physical place to sit down and process the day. But there was also an understanding that he could never fully understand the things that I own. Our worlds were lived far apart, yet in the same square mile.

I wish everyone had the opportunity to know Clarence, or someone like him. They encourage us to a distinct change needed in our own lives. An unsettled ambition that we know needs to be different.

The truth is: I have more than enough and I believe many people can relate. We don’t need more. We don’t need bigger. When we choose to live on less, it creates the potential to do much more for others.

***

Jeff Shinabarger is the founder of Plywood People, an innovative community addressing social needs through creative services. His new book, More or Less: Choosing a Lifestyle of Excessive Generosity, is absolutely fantastic. It is a book destined to call many to redefine their understanding of “enough” and call each of us to rediscover a lifestyle of excessive generosity. I highly recommend it to you.

Live the Story You Want Told

“When you love people and have the desire to make a profound, positive impact upon the world, then will you have accomplished the meaning to live.” — Sasha Azevedo

The decisions we make today will define the stories that get told about us.

By this, I mean, we are all writing a story with our lives. And it is going to be retold. It can’t not be. We are going to talk about it. Our kids are going to talk about it. Our grandkids are going to talk about it. Our friends are going to share memories about it. And the lives we shape are going to share pieces of it.

It is inevitable that our story is going to be told. This is, of course, called legacy.

Ultimately, our story is going to be positive, negative, or a combination of both. But there are no neutral lives being lived. People will talk about the positive impact we left or people will talk about the lasting harm we inflicted. People will talk about our presence or they will talk about our absence. But the story of our life is going to be told.

How then, can we live a story that we want retold? Consider the impact of these intentional actions:

1. Look to other stories. We often speak well of others. After all, there are a number of people who have left a positive imprint on our lives and the stories we tell. Look to those people. Their example can help shape ours along similar lines. What decisions did they make that shaped their story? And what were their underlying reasons for choosing them?

2. Keep an eye on long-term impact. We are so enamored by the here and now that we often forget to consider the long-term impact of our decisions. But sometimes, the pursuit of pleasure in the short-term holds disastrous outcomes for the long-term. We would be wise to consider both. Always.

3. Do the next right thing right. Coach Don Meyer, a family-friend, retired as the all-time wins leader among NCAA basketball coaches. His leadership, both on and off the basketball court, is marked by hard work, encouragement, faith, and service. When Don leads, he calls people to “just do the next right thing right.” Ultimately, the very next decision is the only decision we can make right now. Do the right one.

4. Invest wisely. Every hour of every day, we invest our lives somewhere. Invest it into the makings of a story worth telling. Value relationships, service, and good-will to others. Pursue these with your time, your finances, and your efforts. These investments will always shape the arc of your story towards a positive end. And will result in a better story than chasing money, power, or fame.

5. Get some help. It is nearly impossible to live life effectively on our own. There is nothing wrong or weak about asking for help. In fact, if you are struggling in any area of your life (marriage, parenting, finances, lack of direction, destructive habits), there are people who can help or who can direct you towards help. Find some. Not only does pride lead to a fall, it is also quite unbecoming.

6. Listen, listen, listen. Cherish the input of people who care about you. If there is someone in your life warning you about the choices you are making, listen to them. Take their words to heart. They may be wrong. They may be right. But you’ll never know for sure if you ignore their voice. Make humble listening a priority.

7. Change with one small step. Until life is taken from us, change is possible. And it always starts with just one decision to head in a new direction. If you desire to reshape the story of your life, make at least one small change today. Your first step in the right direction does not have to be a big one.

The stories of our lives are going to be told. This is inevitable. Let’s make the decisions that lead to the story we want told about us.

Weekend Reads

Over the years of pursuing minimalism and interacting with simple living advocates online, I have come to recognize the simplicity/minimalism niche to be among the most friendly, encouraging, and helpful around. There is a genuine understanding that any promotion of simplicity is good for society—and there is little concern about who gets the credit for it.

It is a pleasure to be part of such a wonderful group of people. I always enjoy the opportunity to promote writing that encourages people to live more life by owning less stuff. So please, fix yourself a nice warm cup of coffee. Take a break from the cold. And enjoy some encouraging words about finding more simplicity in your life today.

When Less is More: the Concept of Japanese “MA” | Wawaza. Where there is clutter, even valuable things lose their value. Where there is too much, nothing stands out.

Minimalism FAQ | Minimalist Baker by John Schultz. John writes a very thoughtful, thorough, and well-articulated introduction to the minimalist lifestyle.

Comparison—A Speed Bump On the Road To Happiness & Simple Living | Smart Living 365 by Kathy Gottberg. A helpful post to be reminded that comparing your life is no way to live it. Also, a helpful guide to moving past it.

Why You Need to Get Rid of the Digital Crap that Weighs You Down | Man vs Debt by Joan Otto. Technology doesn’t have to control you. Very much like money, it is simply a tool – one that you can and should control, not one that should rule you.

Stop Using Your Cell Phone as a Pocket Watch. It’s actually distracting you. | Simplify Your Life. Some interesting statistics about cell phone usage are included in this short post. Also, a thoughtful new look at how we use them.

Image: Moyan_Brenn