- The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart. -- Helen Keller
Unless you live on a private island, you are bound to have noticed our sagging economy. At a time when I thought things were getting better, I just had a fourth wave of friends go through layoffs. IKEA — known for being a a frugal girl’s dream and a college kid’s staple — is advertising, “New Lower Prices.” And, the eHow of the weekend was “How to Stock Your Pantry For Hard Times.” It’s almost August, and many of us continue to tighten our belts, make adjustments to the way we live, and cheer-up friends who have recently lost their jobs.
So, I wanted to take a minute to touch-base on the up-side of a down economy. Some of the good in all the bad. A few musings of a girl on a budget who is never without a reason to smile…
- Play costs nothing. A simple romp in the backyard or a trip to the park to hit the tire swing. Camping under the stars as an alternative to a night in a hotel. Fun and joy needn’t cost a thing, and I am seeing more and more people reconnect with play and spending time outside in nature.
- People are gardening in record numbers — taking charge of growing food for their tables and reconnecting to the land. Learning new things and teaching their children a new skill and hobby.
- Going out less means more nights playing board games, cards, or Hide & Seek in the backyard. Cooking together and sharing laughter and conversation across the dinner table. Really taking the time to connect with family and friends.
- As we buy less, we notice that we really don’t need as much stuff as we thought. We just are in the habit of spending and buying. It’s a great time to teach children about the value of money and how the important things in life don’t come from a store, but are in the moments we share with each other, or on our own — watching the sunset or walking in the woods.
- Somehow, as if by magic, when times get tough, people are more kind to each other. I have seen amazing displays of generosity of spirit, of charity and giving, and of true kindness in the past several months. People seem more willing to connect and pitch-in — more open to real human connection when times get tough.
Now, I know some of you might think I am a bit of a Pollyanna, which really could not be further from the truth. At the same time, I do believe that the glass is half full, and that somehow we always get what we need. Perhaps our society just needed a reminder to live more simply. To play, and connect with each other, and to blaze new trails — not based on money or acquiring wealth — but on ingenuity and creativity that is necessitated in tough times.
I have written often about resiliency and how it it one of the hallmarks of a successful, happy adult. Tough times are a great reminder to us all to cherish that trait in ourselves, and I hope an inspiration to parents to foster that in their children. Without a doubt, it will serve them well one day.
Now, if you will excuse me, there is a sunny-side of the street I need to go walk down. Join me?
See ya outside! – The Grass Stain Guru
photo credit: Greg Hayter
Your blog is one of my favorites and this is a fantastic post. You’re right in every point. Thanks for the reminders.
Yes, yes I agree wholeheartedly.
By losing things we think are important to us we are allowed the opportunity to re-examine and realize what really counts.
The upside to the down economy: 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX
Brilliant! Bethe The best things in life are FREE! . RT @balmeras: 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX
RT @balmeras: The upside to the down economy: 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX
RT @balmeras: The upside to the down economy: 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX
Today @ The Grass Stain Guru: 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX
Nice, Bethe! RT @balmeras: Today @ The Grass Stain Guru: 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX
RT Couldn’t agree more! @balmeras: The upside 2 the down economy: 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX #playoutdoors
The upside to the down economy: 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX
Brilliant! Bethe The best things in life are FREE! . RT @balmeras: 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX
RT @balmeras: The upside to the down economy: 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX
Sage words in feast or famine, thick or thin, up or down. It truly is all about sharing the simple pleasures in life, right?!
RT @balmeras: The upside to the down economy: 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX
Thanks for the kind words, Sue! And glad I am not alone in appreciating the simpler things in life. Cheers- Bethe
Today @ The Grass Stain Guru: 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX
Nice, Bethe! RT @balmeras: Today @ The Grass Stain Guru: 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX
RT Couldn’t agree more! @balmeras: The upside 2 the down economy: 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX #playoutdoors
RT @balmeras: The upside 2 the down economy: 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX @ The Grass Stain Guru #play #parenting
RT @balmeras: The upside 2 the down economy: 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX @ The Grass Stain Guru #play #parenting
RT @wildobs 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX
Bethe,
I too count your blog as one of my favorites and this post is an example of why! You never fail to encourage me to look at life in the proper context. As I sit surrounded by seemingly endless piles of boxes (I am unpacking from a recent move), I wish I had paid attention to #4 a little earlier!
RT @LaMamaNaturale: RT @balmeras 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX
RT @wildobs 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX
RT @LaMamaNaturale: RT @balmeras 5 Benefits of Living More With Less http://bit.ly/AKqSX
Bethe – Funny, I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately too. It does seem that we find new ways to have fun and spend quality time with family and friends when we’re not spending as much. Evenings spent at home cooking and sharing a meal mean so much more to us. And it’s that quality time that doesn’t happen in a restaurant.
Instead of our usual $300/nt beach rental, this summer we’re taking the kids camping at the beach. We’re a little nervous about the camping part, but the kids are excited and it adds a whole new element of adventure. I’m looking forward to sharing a tent with them and all that time really close together (literally!). It doesn’t happen when we get a beach rental and they’re playing upstairs while we’re relaxing in another room.
It’s a good thing to remind ourselves of the positives coming from these economic times. We see the harsh reality on the news, on the streets and in our bank accounts so it’s nice to be uplifting and encouraging of each other. Thanks for taking the time to write on this. It was good for me.