Category: philosophy

happy birthday Dave Adlard

On By Rick McIn friends, philosophy1 Comment

Dave sent me a year in review philosophical Novella today. (Everyone forgets his birthday, Dec. 26th.)

I’ve posted the entire missive – Voluntary Simplicity – Dave Adlard style – in the comments of this post. But here’s a summary of his Maui rules:

9) Speak softly and wear a loud shirt

8) Age is relative – when you’re over the hill, you pick up speed

7) Beauty is internal – looks mean nothing.

6) Never judge a day by the weather.

5) Tell the truth. There’s less to remember.

4) No rain, no rainbows.

3) He who dies with the most toys still dies.

2) There are two ways to be rich: make more or desire less.

1) The best things in life aren’t things!

I love it !!

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Thanks Dave. Looking forward to seeing you and Lisa soon.

related post – Voluntary Simplicity

Shelter vs House

On By Rick McIn blogs, philosophyLeave a comment

One of my favourite blogs is As The Crow Flies.

Long distance hiking, primitive cabin dwelling, hermit life

Crow actually lives my philosophy of Voluntary Simplicity. I admire her.

Here she explains why a simple cabin is far superior to a modern “home”.

… When it’s dark, you know it’s dark. When it’s cold outside, you know it’s cold.

If you want heat, you go chop wood. If you want water, you need to melt some snow.

If the cabin burns down, you need to figure out a new shelter. But that’s all it is—shelter.

Some people think my life is harder than for people who live in a house. I can tell you, from my house sitting experiences, that I have far more time and far less chores to do than a house dweller. …

read more – Shelter vs House

I rule my world

On By Rick McIn music, philosophy1 Comment

Seas rise when I give the word …

The mountains on a sunny day are a paradise. I’m enjoying the moment.

This is perhaps the most content I’ve been in a long, long time.

I know. One day I’ll sweep the streets I used to own.

… my castles stand
upon pillars of salt
and pillars of sand …

But for now. Let’s live in the moment.

I heard the most charming interview with Mr. Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin, lead singer of Coldplay. It’s posted on a 60 Minutes audiocast (click to listen).

I certainly appreciate Chris Martin and the band a lot more now.

Click PLAY to watch the video for Viva La Vida on YouTube. It was the Grammy Song of the Year for 2009.

quality of life in Finland

On By Rick McIn economics, philosophy3 Comments

Finland is the most sparsely populated country in the European Union.

Dana sent me a link to a good article from the Christian Science Monitor.

The point of view of an American expat:

“I’ll never become rich in Finland,” one explained, “the taxes are just too high.” But for him it was a trade-off worth making. “Great healthcare, basically free. My kids get one of the best educations in the world, free.” By the way, that includes college, free. He had no plans to move back to the States.

As I spent more time in Helsinki, my own notion of the luxuries available in Finland expanded to include more than just the quiet pleasures of a cabin getaway. Finnish cities are filled with universally well-maintained and high-quality schools, hospitals, buses, trains, and parks. While most Finns might never be able to own a well-appointed SUV or a big house, they value the less-tangible assets they do have, which add up to quality of life and peace of mind. …

What Finland can teach America about true luxury

A Socialist paradise?

finland-bird1

I’m not sure the Socialist Finland economy is sustainable.

celebrities embracing minimalism

On By Rick McIn philosophyLeave a comment
  • Foo Fighters’ bassist Nate Mendel
  • The Police drummer Stewart Copeland
  • Jamie Lee Curtis
  • Mitt Romney

    • Treehugger – Celebrities Who Downsize and Embrace Minimalism

    Jamie Lee Curtis
    Jamie Lee Curtis

    My philosophy of Voluntary Simplicity is getting trendy.

    Rick’s perfect (future) apartment

    On By Rick McIn philosophy, product endorsements2 Comments

    The prototype is in the Hague, Netherlands, designed by Queeste Architecten and photographed by Teun van den Dries, via ::Dezeen.

    300ft-apartment

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    c300ft-apartment1

    Less is more.

    As posted by Treehugger.

    related:

    Less is the New More: Making the Most of Small Spaces

    Less is More: Stay at my Home by Designasyl (guest bed)

    Les Stroud off-the-grid

    On By Rick McIn philosophyLeave a comment

    Many have wondered what they would do if our current recession turned into a complete collapse of society.

    Les Stroud and family are ready.

    Living off the grid natural choice for this `Survivorman’

    Les Stroud outside his off-the-grid home.

    JOHN AVERY PHOTO FOR THE TORONTO STAR
    JOHN AVERY PHOTO FOR THE TORONTO STAR

    He’s the star of the hit TV series Survivorman …

    Stroud, who has made a name for himself by recycling and reusing whatever comes to hand in his quest to survive in some of the world’s harshest environments for the Survivorman series, also applies his recycling philosophy to his home construction.

    Stroud’s property has 68-hectares of bush and he scours the woodland in search of fallen red pine, which he hauls back to his portable sawmill to cut into giant timbers for the extension that he’s building on the old cabin that he is turning into a home for his family. …

    Toronto Star

    Here’s his very professional 2006 documentary (90min) on the project:

    (via Offgrid Survival)