Less Is More
– Musings of Dr. Jamie C. Hsu, 11.3.2018
We are a spoiled generation, with ample stuff to buy, plenty of food to eat, and free information to consume. We buy bigger houses, larger cars, duplicate refrigerators, multiple TVs, several mobile devices to download games and information, and enough clothes to last a lifetime. Are we happier than ever? Or are we spending more time managing our over-stuffed lives? We are squeezed by time and space. We are burdened by more duties and activities. And we are bombarded with trivial information and repetitive news.
If you feel this way, maybe it’s time to simplify your life and taste the joy of “less is more.” This means you need to take an inventory of everything you do, own, consume, and deal with.
The easiest starting point might be your belongings. A simple rule suggested by experts is to organize everything you own so you can see the items clearly and then eliminate duplications. Another helpful hint is to apply the “buy 1, get rid of 2” rule. This same rule can be applied to physical and electronic files (e.g., emails, photos, videos, games). With fewer possessions, you can actually appreciate and enjoy each item more. There is happiness hidden in such a “less is more” state.
After reducing personal belongings, you can move on to the tougher task of reducing the intake of junk food, tabloid information, and meaningless activities. These habits were formed over time and will take more effort to change. But the reward of getting more time and a clearer mind is worth the effort.
Lastly and most importantly, find time to reflect and meditate so your mind can be cleared of harmful thoughts and unnecessary worries. This also allows you to experience the joy of mindful living.
This is a lifetime effort, but it will give you a lifetime of benefits. Please enjoy the process and the results!
簡單就是美好
-作者 許俊宸博士
-中譯 薛乃綺
我們是一群被寵壞的世代，擁有豐沛的物資可以購買、充足的食物可以吃、還有免費的訊息可以使用。我們買更大的房子住、更好的車子開、更多的冰箱/電視機用、更多的3C產品來下載遊戲跟資訊，還有多到一輩子穿不完的衣服。但我們是否因此比以前更快樂？又或者我們花更多的時間來管理自己過度物慾的生活？我們受到時間及空間的壓縮、承擔更多的職責和活動；甚至，還遭受到雜七雜八訊息及重播N遍的新聞媒體轟炸。
如果你也有這種感覺，那該是時候去簡化自己的生活了，去品嘗品嘗”簡單就是美好”的快樂。這意味著你需要清點一下自己所擁有的、所做過的、所消耗的、所處理過的一切。
最簡單的莫過於從自己的私人物品開始。專家們建議用一個簡單的法則來組織你的所有物品，以便於你自己可以清楚地看到它們、然後消除那些重复的东西。另一個小撇步是：”買一個、丟兩個”；這個簡單的原則適用於實體物品及電子檔案(包括email、照片、影音檔、遊戲等)。擁有較少的財產後，反而更能真正欣賞和享受每件物品。這就是隱藏在”簡單就是美好”中的小確幸。
在減少個人所有物品之後，就可以開始執行更有難度的任務了；那就是減少吃垃圾食物、聽八卦消息、以及參加沒有必要的活動。這些習慣是隨著時間慢慢養成的，需要不斷努力才能有所改變。但因此而得到更多自主時間及更清楚的思緒，那就很值得了。
最後也是最重要的，就是人需要抽出時間來自省與思考，如此才能清除對心靈有害的思想和不必要的擔憂，自己也才能因此體會到正向生活的樂趣。這會是一輩子要努力的事情，但會帶給你終身受用的好處。請享受當中的過程與成果！
