"Just when I think I have a handle on what is enough in my life, I am confronted by new ways to ask the question. There's a continuous line that we all must define and redefine at many different points in our lives."
Jeff Shinabarger
How much is enough?
John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club, was part of an expedition funded by a wealthy businessman. A story is told that one night the campfire conversation turned to the subject of the expedition's patron. After a few of the men speculated the man's worth, John spoke up. "I've got more than he does."
"How do you figure that?" asked one of the men.
"I have all I want. He doesn't."
More or Less by Jeff Shinabarger is one of those books that convicted me on one page, while offering a practical solution on the next; it goes beyond the usual question- How much is enough money? More or Less asks- How much is enough food, clothing, transportation... enough time?
Shinabarger writes:
"There was a time, not so long ago, when the polite answer to the question, "How are you?" was, "Fine." It seems that busy is the new fine."
"...we now determine the significance of a person by how busy they are. Somehow, busy has become better than fine."
Jeff Shinabarger's solution to an ever-busy world?
Presence.
"Presence is a physical expression of love in the midst of a culture that never stops- it is to stop and be with someone that matters."
You will have to read the book for a beautifully simple way to practice presence with others in your home.
America is fat with excess and slim with generosity. Graham Cooke posed this question- "Do you want to be known as a careful person or a generous person?"
More or Less is scheduled to be released March 1. Thanks to the good folks at Story Cartel I was blessed with an advance copy. If you want to challenge your lifestyle paradigm, read More or Less by Jeff Shinabarger. I am glad I did.
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