The Power of One
Something I noticed the other day whilst purchasing new tyres, pedals and shoes for my upcoming Sydney to Wollongong bicycle ride *, was that for large items in my life, I have only one.
The reason for not having more than ‘one’ is borne out of a) not having space for more than one, and b), not having a need for more than one! I think it’s greatly enhanced my sense of living simply, as well as not looking at material possessions as any sign of status. Here are some examples:
- I have one car
- I have one motorcycle
- I have one bicycle
- I have one television
I do not have the need (or space) for anything more than this, and truly believe that the more you have, the less happy you are. I am also of the belief that you should (and most of the time can) make the most of what you have without needing to have more.
Do you agree? Is ‘more than one’ causing you sadness? Let me know your thoughts!
(Edit: I felt it best to include a link to Neerav’s post Too Much Stuff: Consumption Is Not A Way of Life, it brings up a lot of great points, all underpinning my thoughts on ‘Stuff’)
* More on my bike: I have converted the mountainbike into a road bike through road tyres and clipless pedals. I know know other people who have dedicated bikes for certain jobs, and this is OK – If I was a professional cyclist or began taking up proper mountain-biking, I may then have a need for the second bike.
Not me. I am a hoarder. I have old televisions that have not been turned on in years. I have books that I proudly collected, read and put on the shelf. Some of these I haven’t read in years. Or maybe decades. I have “stuff”.
Great post, Andrew.
I totally agree with you on the material possessions – we could all do with just one of those.
However, I do need more than one something, and that’s friends and family. They provide me with the great love and support that makes the material stuff even less than one in comparison.
Allow me to put it this way – could I do with more Andrew Blanda’s in my life? Absolutely.
Cheers, Iggy
My friend @Neerav wrote this blog post a few days after mine but is well worth reading, as it goes more into what I was referring to in my original post!
http://www.bhatt.id.au/blog/too-much-stuff-consumption-is-not-a-way-of-life/ (Also entered into the main blog post)
Gavin, books aren’t the same. Their value is not the book but what’s inside and they don’t go off!