I just listened to The Antidote to Not-Enoughness on Ten Percent Happier. I'm sure I'll listen again. Morning time or afternoon. The thing that is sticking with me the most after this first evening pass is the idea of not accumulating. Sharing. The gift economy. Relationships sustaining us. Cooperation. Collaboration. It reminds a lot of The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee (I'm sure there was a podcast, years ago, about it.) It also reminds me of the idea of mutual aid. I recently signed up with mutual aid SF. I'm waiting to hear back and see where it goes.
I also loved the reference to The Light Eaters by Zoe Schlanger. That book is on my 'to read' list. I had gotten it from the library but didn't get to read it before it was due and had someone else waiting on it.
I'm sure there was more but I'm just to sleepy to recall....
So glad you listened! And yes to all. Plus some synchronicity...after hearing Robin Wall Kimmerer's mention of The Light Eaters, I checked it out from the library this week.
Robin Wall Kimmerer! I loved braiding sweetgrass. I especially love the section called Thanksgiving Address. And I am so excited to read her new book, too. Maybe a we'll read it together. :-) Thanks for the links to the interview on Ten Percent Happier. I'm going to give it a listen, for sure!
I'm also very intrigued by the phenomena of the wealthiest among us wanting more and more. I think it is symptomatic of people who look for happiness and security outside of themselves, who believe that owning things is path to fulfillment. I also think the phenomena is associated with fear. If you've never had a bunch of money you don't miss it. If you are used to having material wealth, you may fear the day when it no longer exists. I think this has also been proven true for generosity. Those with the least, proportionately share the most. Maybe. It's a working theory I have. I am curious about it.
In Clair Brown's book Buddhist Economics, she seems to agree with your analysis of the situation. She shares "Once we replace 'maximizing our own income and status' with 'being connected to and caring about others;' once we let go of desire and attachment and focus on how fortunate we are; once we surrender our ego wit its incessant demands, then we realize the beauty and joy in our lives."
Thanks again for a very thought-provoking and inspiring post! I always come away with a renewed spirit.
Thanks for sharing, Lori! We definitely need to discuss The Serviceberry once we've read it.
To your point about those with the least sharing the most, there have been studies on this. I don't have time to google it now, but it has been documented that lower to middle class people give more (proportional to their income) than the wealthy do. Thanks for sharing the quote from Buddhist Economics....another book I'd like to check out.
Hi again!
I just listened to The Antidote to Not-Enoughness on Ten Percent Happier. I'm sure I'll listen again. Morning time or afternoon. The thing that is sticking with me the most after this first evening pass is the idea of not accumulating. Sharing. The gift economy. Relationships sustaining us. Cooperation. Collaboration. It reminds a lot of The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee (I'm sure there was a podcast, years ago, about it.) It also reminds me of the idea of mutual aid. I recently signed up with mutual aid SF. I'm waiting to hear back and see where it goes.
I also loved the reference to The Light Eaters by Zoe Schlanger. That book is on my 'to read' list. I had gotten it from the library but didn't get to read it before it was due and had someone else waiting on it.
I'm sure there was more but I'm just to sleepy to recall....
So glad you listened! And yes to all. Plus some synchronicity...after hearing Robin Wall Kimmerer's mention of The Light Eaters, I checked it out from the library this week.
Robin Wall Kimmerer! I loved braiding sweetgrass. I especially love the section called Thanksgiving Address. And I am so excited to read her new book, too. Maybe a we'll read it together. :-) Thanks for the links to the interview on Ten Percent Happier. I'm going to give it a listen, for sure!
I'm also very intrigued by the phenomena of the wealthiest among us wanting more and more. I think it is symptomatic of people who look for happiness and security outside of themselves, who believe that owning things is path to fulfillment. I also think the phenomena is associated with fear. If you've never had a bunch of money you don't miss it. If you are used to having material wealth, you may fear the day when it no longer exists. I think this has also been proven true for generosity. Those with the least, proportionately share the most. Maybe. It's a working theory I have. I am curious about it.
In Clair Brown's book Buddhist Economics, she seems to agree with your analysis of the situation. She shares "Once we replace 'maximizing our own income and status' with 'being connected to and caring about others;' once we let go of desire and attachment and focus on how fortunate we are; once we surrender our ego wit its incessant demands, then we realize the beauty and joy in our lives."
Thanks again for a very thought-provoking and inspiring post! I always come away with a renewed spirit.
Thanks for sharing, Lori! We definitely need to discuss The Serviceberry once we've read it.
To your point about those with the least sharing the most, there have been studies on this. I don't have time to google it now, but it has been documented that lower to middle class people give more (proportional to their income) than the wealthy do. Thanks for sharing the quote from Buddhist Economics....another book I'd like to check out.
Aww, I loved that seasonal tree! And this is a great reminder about gratitude.
Thanks, Anna! And I loved that tree too. I think we might need to bring back the tradition.
Adding links to the interview with Robin Wall Kimmerer on the Ten Percent Happier podcast.
https://www.danharris.com/p/how-to-counter-program-against-the
https://www.happierapp.com/podcast/tph/wall-kimmerer-861