Simple Thoughts
Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like. Will Rogers
Simplicity is an acquired taste. Mankind, left free, instinctively complicates life. Katherine F. Gerould
Live simply, so others may simply live. Gandhi
Please take a moment to share a quote or thought that inspires simplicity in your life and home.
February 19th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
“Have nothing in your house you know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” — William Morris
“Less is more.” — Mies van der Rohe
February 19th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
form follows function… Bauhaus ideal?
February 20th, 2010 at 4:01 am
“Gratitude …can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” -Melody Beattie
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“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” -Leonardo da Vinci
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“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” -Susan Jenkins
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“Simplicity doesn’t mean to live in misery and poverty. You have what you need, and you don’t want to have what you don’t need.” -Charan Singh
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“Just because I CAN, doesn’t mean I SHOULD.” – Kathryn Kistner
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“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it’s not all mixed up.” -Winnie-the-Pooh/ A. A. Milne
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“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler.” -Albert Einstein
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I’m also greatly inspired by the Coco Chanel suit; for EVERYTHING. Timeless. Classic. Simple. Elegant. …and something else… attention to DETAILS, perhaps. Quality of fabric.
From Wikipedia:
“The House of Chanel, under the leadership of Karl Lagerfeld, has defined the style and fashion of Chanel as being the five essentials: audacious, perfectionist, unique, passionate, and visionary.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanel
Kathryn Kistner in Texas
February 20th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Love the quotes everyone is sharing! I have a chalkboard in my kitchen and will use some of those you’ve posted as my “thought for the day”. :-) Here are a few of my favorites:
“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex… It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction.” — Albert Einstein
““Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough.” – Charles Dudley Warner
“You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need.” — Vernon Howard
Stephanie
February 21st, 2010 at 12:45 am
Hoi!
I found your lovely blog because of your post about living in two countries. It was maybe… a year ago?
I really wanted to find out how it is going! I see some posts about your summer adventures: looks amazing!
I am a US citizen and my S.O. is Swiss and we have been looking into splitting our time between California and Zurich. I happen to work on the computer, which is great, and she can travel lots of the year.
Do you have any thoughts on our situation? Sound familiar?
I realize it take a lot of effort to respond to a random ‘netizen’ but these questions are often answered elsewhere by doom-sayers with no real experience, and I thought your kinder-gentler opinion would be helpful. What do you say? In particular I am interested in learning how you two are working on visas and stuff (especially your hubby’s) and filing taxes, and residency etc…
Thank you so much in advance… I promise to bookmark this page and check back or you can P.M me to my email, above.
LG
February 22nd, 2010 at 7:49 am
“Being green is not about guilt. We should celebrate the worlds abundance instead of bemoaning its limits.” ~William McDonough, architect
“The principle is to keep your stuff moving. Everything is flowing, so don’t try to stop the river by holding onto things too long.” ~Lama Surya Das, Buddhist scholar and author
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:20 am
Not really a quote, just the 5 Rs:
Refuse
Reduce
Reuse
Repair
Recycle
I don’t understand the William Morris quote, Should the word “not” be in there somewhere? It’s the opposite of how I feel– if it isn’t useful it’s probably artwork I love!
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:13 am
Diana,
I have never heard “Refuse” and “Repair” in the “Rs”. They’re the perfect addition! Memorize, Katie!
Yes – you are correct on the “not”. It’s an easy slip.
Katie
February 23rd, 2010 at 8:19 am
Little Grasshopper,
Follow your hearts. That’s all I can truly suggest. I come across a lot of people who move to foreign countries because of their spouses. Some really make the most of it and get just as many beautiful experiences as possible out of the adventure. Others sadly count down until the day they can return home.
That’s why I say to follow your hearts. You both have to want it. Living abroad is a huge adjustment for anyone. Juggling back and forth between two countries can really boggle your mind. But if it is something you truly want, you should – by all means! – figure out how you can do it.
I have no expertise in visas or immigration law. I would suggest contacting people who specialize in those areas to answer your questions.
The best things we do are work toward a simpler life. That’s truly the area I am most knowledgeable about. Living abroad has enough complications on its own!
Best of luck to you.
Katie
March 28th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Enjoy the blog..I do use chemicals for cleaning because they clean better than the natural ones, except I use white vinegar to clean coffee machines and the shower heads. I have been clothes purging, and some linen closet purging. Last month I did the kitchen, which is the worst place to collect clutter for most.
But, we still need to keep it up, because there is always more stuff to purge after you reach retirement and have more time. Downsizing is great, because eventually there will be a need to move later on. I have known widows who wait until the last minute when they have to move, and are overwhelmed with a house full of stuff they’ve kept for over 50 years. There are so many charities needing stuff, this is what motivates me to purge at least twice a year.