Declare Independence

Today I am declaring independence. Initially I considered shouting this battle-cry on my 27th birthday, less than a month away. I changed my mind when I considered just what Independence Day means. Of course we know what the day means historically but how often do we really think about what today means? Here are my conclusions and the big announcement. As an aside, I am extremely tired, it is now after 4:00 am and I have been staring at the computer for hours so I am not doing an edit today (not that I normally do).

Today marks the day when a people made it official that they were not going to be influenced, much less dictated to by another group that did not share their ideals. Can you imagine it? Seeing the ocean that separates you from those who direct your movements, though they really have no interest in your life's goals and desires? Feeling so trapped though you the illusion of freedom is all around you? Knowing just how close you are to true liberty but being constantly aware that it is just out of reach?

I have felt this way for the majority of my life, unfortunately. There have been different reasons at different times but the bottom-line reasons why I have felt this way are materialism and consumerism. I have combatted this feeling in a variety of ways over the course of my life, from changing polictial parties to religions as an adult and you-don't-want-to-know as a teenager. When I think about it, most of the problems with relationships stem from issues stemming from one of those two -isms. Examples? Think of why children were teased in school prior to mandatory uniforms. Think of why so many people are in debt up to their ears. Why the banks failed? Why we are in a recession? The greed of stockholders, real estate agents, loan officers, etc. and the desire to attain of the "common" man.

Yes we are all consumers. We all consume air, water, and so many things we take for granted. But, like anything else we can become addicted to shopping, buying, and acquiring. And it's not natural. It's entirely new and entirely foreign to us, the trailblazers of greed. We have a constant stream of advertisements shoved in our faces and down our throats, and the things we eat and use are designed to keep us addicted (especially our food, but more on that whole subject later). We have become the uber-consumers but it has been gradual. We have to change back even quicker: before it's too late.

I want to rid myself of this addiction. And I want to help other people conquer it. So, I've created a few things to start the process along. I am working on a website www.lifestylesimplicity.info, which will hopefully help someone, even if it only helps me. In the same spirit of biting off more than one can chew that follows me wherever I go, I have committed myself to a plethora of work; typing, editing, reviewing, reading, etc. and I am adding to it. I will attempt weaving (for fabrics and as a quicker way to knit), I will complete the knitting series on Youtube, I will tweak recipes I have in my head and write them down. I will share the knowledge I have acquired over the years and seek it from others in order to learn how to live a more simple life.

I am so blessed to have a solid network of people who are already rejecting the popular way and going in the opposite direction. I myself have done a bit as well and I hoping that this group will become a community that grows and spreads its message to even more. The funny thing is, the simple life is much more fun and much less stressful than the work, buy, pay cycle many of our lives have become. What's the point of accruing if you can't enjoy?

In addition to the website I am launching another blog, designed to be a companion to that site and a way to ensure that this blog isn't overrun by topics more geared towards that sort of thing. That blog is www.lifestylesimplicity.blogspot.com so you can go there if you're interested in seeing what's planned. The website is taking shape nicely though I am still developing it but it is actually available right now.

Lastly, last month one of my cousins made me two beautiful pairs of earrings. She inspired me to try my hand at jewelry-making (though not earrings as I don't want to compete) and I have several necklaces and bracelets done at this point. I am considering selling those of the new website as a way to pay for hosting and whatnot. BE SURE TO TYPE www.lifestylesimplicity.INFO because .com was taken so that one has nothing to do with me.

Oh, yeah, I have also updated my website (www.missmaria.info) and added links from there to here and to my Yahoo group, recently launched. So you can check that out too. Peace!