The Non-Consumer Advocate Book Club — Simple Prosperity: Finding Real Wealth in a Sustainable Lifestyle — Week Three

 

 

 

Welcome to week three of The Non-Consumer Advocate Book Club. We are discussing David Wann’s Simple Prosperity: Finding Real Wealth in a Sustainable Lifestyle.

The first week we discussed the preface, introduction and first chapter.

The second week we discussed the second chapter.

This week we’re discussing the third chapter: 

Personal Growth: Creating a Rich Life Story.

David Wann starts this chapter by writing that:

“Whether deliberately or by default, we each create a personal identity and life story. If we’re lucky, we figure out what we’re good at, what we believe in, and what we want to accomplish, joyfully, while we’re here.”

I think this is very important. Many people live their lives without ever feeling that they’ve found their true calling. Or, they spend their life focusing on the things that make no difference, like a taut stomach and thin thighs, or a perfectly clean and decorated house. All appearance and no substance. 

The subject of scripts is explored as self-identity vs. an identity shaped by media and other external sources:

“From the moment we understand even a few words, we begin to absorb TV stories complete with laugh tracks, parental parables, religious scriptures, mythological epics, and cultural directives — and we try to figure out which story is most like the life we want to create.”

I find this very interesting, so much of who we all are is influenced by the entertainment industry. Even my four-year-old niece who watches no commercial TV carries a Disney Princess lunchbox to preschool. Who would we be without superheroes and princesses?

The idea that the scripts that we follow are tied into the pursuit of wealth, when Wann writes that:

“If the script is strong enough, material possessions and monetary wealth often become lower priorities than do other forms of wealth. This is not to say that people with creative, original scripts prefer to be poor, just that money isn’t their primary goal — it becomes as a by-product of other passionate pursuits.”

I would like to think that I have a creative, original script, yet I do have monetary goals, such as paying my house off early and having the financial freedom to travel. Essentially, I don’t want to worry about how much money I have in the bank.

Do I watch TV? I have one TV program I like to watch, (Lost) but otherwise I only watch DVD’s from the library. This way, I’m able to watch a one-hour program in 42 minutes, thus freeing myself from 18 minutes of advertising. But even when I do catch the commercials, I’m no more likely to buy a brand-new car, fast food, soda pop or prescription medication. I am a little more likely to feel crappy about my less than perfect physique and not so shiny hair.

This chapter profiles a few people that the author has come across in his life.

Patricia, who is described as a, “writer and author” as well as a “coach and mentor for other like-minded people who also want to create authentic, rich life stories.”

Beginning life in an unstable family, Patricia was later raised in an orphanage by nuns who had taken vows of poverty. “Their basic needs were met to support the work which gave them great purpose and meaning to their lives. . . Their love, focus and dedication had a strong influence on me; I learned that a purposeful life can be creative and abundant.”

The idea that poverty and abundance can exist together is not something one ever hears about, yet I feel like my life is prolifically abundant. But it is completely unrelated to any of my material goods. My life is abundant with creative opportunities, fulfilling work, the health of my loved ones and the ability to problem solve around most any obstacle.

Patricia makes the statement that:

“I measure the wealth in my life by the creativity that flows through me; by the depth of connection I have with interesting people; by the time I spend laughing, exploring, and learning.”

Wann also writes about his own history, from working for the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to freelance writer.  

I needed to find a different path — one that I had chosen myself. . . Then I began to trust my instincts, relying less on what the world wanted and more on what I needed. I learned tat be being less conscious of what other people think could save me lots of money, because it required less than the average person spends on new cars, electronic gadgets, and clothes. Gradually, what I was moving away from became less important from what I was moving toward. I was far less dazed and confused than before, and since confusion often results in consumption, I rarely showed my face at the mall.”

David chose a mid-career change that was less secure, less profitable, yet entirely more rewarding.

After earning about $35,000 one year, Wann’s sister defended his life change to their worried mother:

“Why do people need money? They need it bring up their kids, and Dave’s kids are doing fine — both are college graduates and both are happy. People need shelter, and he owns a great house in a neighborhood he helped design. The need health — he has that; they need something stimulating to do, and his work seems to turn him on.”

I think this argument is very interesting and to the point because it is about needs, not wants. But unlike many of the needs vs. wants arguments I’ve heard, it’s not about a bare-bones existence. It is because Wann is finally getting his needs met that he is happy. Despite a lower income and lack of job security.

Wann explains that:

“I’m not suggesting that to create a good script a person has to leave her or his 9-to-5 job! What I am suggesting is that it’s a relief to know our own minds, and know what we stand for, and what we are willing to stick our necks out for.”

Wann writes about another person he’s come across in his life, Jonathan, whose work as a chaplain has brought him into the homes of many dying people. This brings about these two questions:

“How should we live in the time we have left, and how should we regard death?”

But the question of how to live in the time we have left, is of course not just for those who have a set amount of life left, but for all of us. 

Jonathan goes on to explain that:

When we’re dying, we lose control of our life. The project is over; there’s no longer anything to maintain. Everything we’ve identified with — our careers, our friends, our way of thinking, the way we look — is suddenly stripped bare and we’re left with the true face of who we truly are. We come face to face with ourselves, and that can be uncomfortable.”

I really feel that as we go through our daily lives, it’s important to see the big picture of what matters in the long run. The dishes can wait while I snuggle a son who wants my company. 

Wann writes that he is reminded that:

“The acquisition of material things is often about trying to control life rather than just live it. We surround ourselves with possessions to fortify our lives against uncertainties that lie ahead. It seems apparent that to reduce consumption, we’ll need to be less obsessed with controlling life.” 

This is a sticky one for me. I am, of course all for reducing consumption, yet I have a strong need to control life. I like to have things just-so. This is no more apparent than when I have house guests who are helpful enough to help load the dishwasher. I know they’re trying to help, but they’re doing it all wrong! Would there be a terrible consequence from an ill-loaded dishwasher? Of course not, but it just makes me go out of my skin. I apparently am able to strive for reduced consumption while being a control freak. Go figure?!

When asked what people say about their material goods at the end of their lives, Jonathan tells that:

“They often say that financial wealth gets in the way of family relations, especially at the end. A few days ago, a man I talked to wanted to have deep, meaningful conversations with the family, but couldn’t because they were so focused on the money, asking for advances, and pressuring him to sell the house. The poor guy wanted to talk about more important things, but but they kept coming back to, ‘Mom always said I could have this.’ He told me, ‘I wish they could wait until I die to have all these squabbles.’ “

The man’s material goods got in the way of his meaningful death.

Jonathan  goes on to explain that:

“To live happily and die comfortably, I think we have to give up trying to be in control. . . . But at the same time, we can be mindful and prepared.”

Mindful and prepared. Something we can all be, whether or not we’re dying.

Discussion questions:

1. Do you feel your life script is influenced by mass media? Are you trying to figure out whether you’re a Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte or Miranda? 
2. When watching TV, are you influenced by the commercials? How about while reading the Sunday paper, do you flip through the Target ads to see what’s on sale that week?
3. Would you be willing to change your career for a more fulfilling job, even if it meant a pay cut?
4. Do you consider yourself wealthy, even if your bank account is empty?
5. Have you ever thought about what you would be proud of or regretful about at the end of your life? If so, what?
6. Do you feel that there is a connection between a high consuming lifestyle and control?

Please feel free to bring up any points not covered in my chapter overview.

Next week: Chapter Four — Mindful Money: More Value From Better Stuff.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”

Tagged as: Affluenza, Amy Dacyczyn, Book clubs, Books, Dave Wann, David Wann, Frugal, Frugality, Simple Living, Simple Prosperity, Tightwad Gazette, Voluntary Simplicity