Live Simply – Consuming

I’m feeling particularly “bloggy” today. Perhaps it’s the chill in the air. Maybe it’s just that there’s so much to be said for living simply. I strive for it, even if I often fail.

I was reminded of Steve Martin in “The Jerk” the other day. He’s naked and leaving his exorbitant house after losing everything in a terrible lawsuit. As he leaves, he takes a pen or something trivial and says, “and that’s all I need. Just this pen.” As he moves towards the door, he keeps accumulating things he “needs.” “And this ashtray, and this dog, and this…” Mind you, he’s naked. None of the things he’s taking with him are clothes!

I often pack for a trip like The Jerk. And then I laugh at myself. That’s not half as bad as using his method while shopping at the grocery store or at Wal-Mart or Target. I’m trying to train the kids away from the The Jerk shopping method.

The Jerk antidote? A list. (And a bit of will power.)

What’s simple consuming for you?