I spent last New Year’s Day in Bangkok, participating in the Thai tradition of visiting Buddhist temples and making donations to the resident monks. At one of the temples, a monk blessed me with a sprinkle of holy water and tied a simple white cord around my wrist. Eight months later, I’m still wearing it.
I’ve since googled this Thai tradition to find out its meaning. Apparently, the white thread is called sai sin, and is meant to represent the Buddhist Sutras (the word sutra is Sanskrit for “thread”). As such, it’s a constant reminder to act according to Buddhist principles—treating every living thing with respect, kindness, and compassion. (I love how this lines up with the teachings of Jesus and other spiritual figures; I think religions have many more commonalities than differences.)
The symbolism of the thread helps me remember that we are all connected. Everything I say, write, do, and purchase ripples out to affect the world around me. Therefore, I try to be extra mindful of the choices I make.
I’ll pass on the trendy top to avoid the possibility of sweatshop labor, and the leather handbag to avoid the slaughter of an innocent animal. I try to smile and speak kindly to everyone I meet, even if I’m feeling rushed or short-tempered. I try to write words with an uplifting message, rather than rants or complaints. In short, I try to make each interaction with the world a positive one, knowing that another person, or animal, or the planet itself is on the receiving end of my actions. I’m not always successful, but my little bracelet reminds me to try.
As Herman Melville wrote:
“We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads, and along these sympathetic fibers, our actions run as causes and return to us as results.”
The science geek in me likes my bracelet for another reason as well: it makes me think of superstring theory (in which all of matter is thought to be composed of tiny vibrating strings), and how I am ultimately connected to the universe—from the tiniest subatomic particles to the vastest galaxies. There’s something incredibly peaceful about knowing you’re part of such a grand and beautiful whole.
In turn, these thoughts have strengthened my minimalism. I’ve found that buying and desiring less is a wonderful way to exist harmoniously in the universe—it’s one of the easiest ways to avoid harming the planet and other people. Buying less means consuming fewer of the Earth’s resources, and protecting them for future generations. Buying less means decreased dependence on cheap and exploited labor. Buying less means less “one-upmanship” with peers and colleagues, and more serenity and satisfaction all around.
But above all, this little white bracelet reminds me of the essence of minimalism: that it’s not material things, but our connections—to friends, family, strangers, plants, flowers, animals, atoms, stars, faith—that are our true treasures in life, and most deserving of our time and attention.
{If you’d like to learn more about minimalist living, please consider reading my book, The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide, or subscribing to my RSS feed.}
Very well said Francine!
“This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day…” (Shakespeare)
Good post – I like how minimalism gives me hope for a better future. Just the message I needed reinforcing this morning after watching a distressing programme last night on Orca whales in New Zealand — they have been tested positive for chemical pollutants: DDT, PCBs and Flame Retardants. They are dwindling in number and apparently these toxins affect negatively their reproductive capacity – so it’s probably bye-bye Orca whales pretty soon. Apparently the whales off North America are even more toxic and when they die near shore have to be treated as hazardous waste.
Yours is a timely reminder that Minimalism isn’t just about de-cluttering and the perfect capsule wardrobe – it’s about the planet: trying to persuade people to stop buying stuff made using this toxic crap.
Thanks.
Love. I absolutely love every word you have written here. Thank you
Do you remember these lines of Desiderata?
“You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.”
To me it relates, somehow, indirectly, to what you wrote.
I look forward to all of your posts, and this one gave me pause–thank you for reminding me to be mindful of everything I do. Sometimes I get so caught up in my own problems and chores that I forget that as you wrote, everything I do has a ripple effect. And I needed to read, as a reminder that it’s our connections to others that matter.
Kind regards~
Oh my gosh, what a beautiful post. Thank you.
Beautiful post. Exactly what I needed to read today. I’ve been struggling lately with wanting to buy more even though I do not need more. Your words also strengthened my minimalism and commitment to living with less. Thank you!
This is beautifully written! I really agree with you and feel that minimalism is about so much more than fewer possessions as well. I like how you ave tied it in to everything else…basically a more meaningful life and cherishing those things and people that really matter. Thank you for sharing such an uplifting and positive post!
Wonderful post Francine! I loved how you tied the threads to so many facets of life – faith, people, animals, the environment… it truly does give you a sense of how everything and everyone is connected in the tiniest of ways. It helps to see how my actions are connected on so many levels. Thanks for the insight – I hope to carry it with me as I make choices and decisions each day! :-)
There is only one thing to be considered: when choosing a bag that is made of synthetic materials, please think, how many factories have been built to produce bags like this, how the production of this synthetic thing has polluted waters and the air, and how long this synthetic material stays on earth because of being non-biodegradable after the bag has lived its life which is shorter than that of leather, as it becomes ugly quite faster. Really good leather bags can serve their owners for decades and become only better.
As to the rest of your blog: lots and lots for me to think about. Have bought your book Joy of Less, and must say it was quite an eye opener in many ways. For those who read French, may I suggest the wonderful book L’art de la Simplicite (The Art of Simplicity) by Domenique Loreau, the French woman who has lived in Japan for 25 years and is so very impressive in her quest for beautiful, minimalist life. Keep up your good work, Francine, your blog is so addictive :)
Thanks, everyone! So glad you enjoyed the post. :)
Kurkela, that’s an excellent point about handbag materials. My bag is made of seatbelts, which made me feel better than buying leather; but what environmental harm came from the making of those seatbelts? Honestly, I don’t know; but yes, it bothers me. I think sometimes things seem like a “better” choice simply because we don’t know the consequences; I’m sure if I read an article detailing the horrors of seatbelt manufacturing I’d feel differently.
That’s why I’ve come to dread shopping these days. It’s nearly impossible to know the story behind each product, and therefore difficult to make truly informed choices. This dilemma is a major reason for my minimalism — I find it easier, and less vexing, to buy as little as possible (and make the things I have last as long as possible).
My mom recently got me a purse in Japan, made from knotting a scarf in such a way as to make a pouch with handles. I can’t think of a better purse. I can throw it in the wash, it can’t break, and if it becomes frayed or too old I can use it for a rag. Or if I tire of it untie it and use it as a scarf! The most exciting thing I’ve acquired this year.
This method is called “Furoshiki” and can be used for handbags, shoppers, gift-wrapping, etc.
You-Tube it and you’ll see some pretty amazing creations!
LOVE this post. Your lifestyle (and you!) are an inspiration.
I could not agree more! This is why I so strongly seek minimalism and encourage it…it’s all about the connections :) Great morning read to start the day with.
This is a great post, and a lovely story. We ARE all interconnected. It may not seem like we can make much difference with our small changes, but every little bit helps. And if each of us begins making better choices (which is where I am at) it can make a big difference overall, in the long run.
Love your blog Francine!
Bernice
Is your life a roller coaster ride?
I am seeking minimalism to better connect myself to Mother Earth and I believe it takes much much much more than cleaning out the clutter that gradually accumulates in a person’s home.
My belief is that we, as a human species, have deviated too far from the food chain and, though we view various modernisms as “normal”, such as shopping for packaged food from a mega-supermarket, we’re slowly killing humanity through every adoption of these modernisms.
My mission in life is to return to a certain place of familiarity — a place where humans were once interconnected with the Earth.
I will carry these words with me as a reminder off why I´m doing this. Thank you.
What a beautiful post. I find all your posts to be uplifting, rather than ranting, which is why you are one of my very favorite blogs. I’m trying to make better choices & be kinder, even when I don’t always want to be.
I have the Kindle version of your book on my phone & I’m on about the 8th time reading it. I love it & every time I read it I find something else I can let go of. As we have another move planned in the future, that’s a very good thing for me.
Thank you for the beautiful post. I needed a dose of beauty this week!
This is so beautifully written! As a long-time reader, first-time commenter, I just want to thank you for your constant inspiration. I just moved to London from Sydney with my husband and we have recently embraced a minimalist lifestyle.
We are so much happier and are beginning to fulfil our dreams of travelling around Europe and the UK.
Please keep up your incredible writing.
A really beautiful post,so very well written. I too am a long time reader,first time commenter. I bought the ‘The Joy of Less’ some time ago and read it as needed. Thank you for putting into words just what I feel about how to live. I am nursing my Mother through a terminal illness, life is hard for my family at the moment, but you reminded me how I wish to do and be done by as we deal with all the people helping. Thank you.
Ohhh, I love it when you wax philosophical :)
That Herman Melville quote is so wonderful, I totally believe in our interconnectedness with everything, and agree with you about making interactions positive. I love how you tie this all back with Minimalism, and even superstring theory, which is fascinating and mind-boggling and incredible all at once.
Thank you so bringing such positive and inspiring thoughts into my day, and those of many others…
What a piece of work is man ! How noble in reason.
I love this post. I am actually sat here eating a gift I got for my birthday on Wednesday, ( chocolate macadamia nuts ) and I have eaten so many I feel sick…as I am eating and reading I realise I am totally going against all my minimalist principles…so I might stop the gorging now !
Beautiful post again, Francine.
I can relate to angst over making the correct purchase when one is needed. I have children and at times they’ve nearly gone shoeless and without clothes because I was trying to make the most ethical and healthy choice!
Buying 2nd hand is one solution. Most of the chemicals have been washed out, and if the creation of the article caused pollution and damage in the first place the least we can do is use it until it’s really worn out.
Another solution is to make it yourself if like me you are saving up fabric etc..that might come in handy.
I am aiming for self-sufficiency as well as minimalism so I do have things saved that help us to ‘mend and make do’, and do it for ourselves.
Warm wishes for a wonderful day from Madeleine
…our actions run as causes and return to us as results…
I love this phrase.
You, the Buddhist monks, and Mellville (I too, believe there’s no monopoly on wisdom) are right to remind us that what matters are the actions we send out into our interconnected world. Thank you
Last week, I read the first part of a series on obesity on The Lancet website. I thought of all minimalists when I read this: “. . . Economic growth is especially important for low-income countries to move them from poverty to economic prosperity; however, for high-income countries, higher levels of GDP do not bring greater happiness and wellbeing for their citizens but do bring greater consumption of all products. The technological changes that are creating cheaper and more available food calories and the strong economic forces driving consumption will inevitably lead to overconsumption and obesity.”
I posted this on the Real Life Minimalist section, so I apologize for repeating it here, but it has stayed with me all week and I felt it also tied into what you were saying above. Being a consumer or over-consumer is not only about acquiring things, it may also be about over-consuming food, alcohol, sex, etc. Because, as someone said above, the supply chains are shorter and purchasing and consuming so much easier, we have fallen into mindless spending, mindless eating, mindless living. Minimalism truly is a philosophy which brings mindfulness to everyday living and contributes to our wholeness as well as our richness of life.
Thank you for…
making my mind think
my heart full
and my lungs to take a deep thoughtful breath.
Wonderful post….
My husband and I are about to receive an insurance check and have been talking about what to do with it. I feel I’ve come so far with my thinking as the only ‘thing’ I want is a Kindle.
Your posts have been such an inspiration to me, thank you.
I love this! I always immensely enjoy your philosophical musings but this one struck a chord with me.
I very much love the thought of making my entire existence one of meaning and minimal in any negative impact i.e consumerism, unkindness, greed etc. I’m not feeling very articulate tonight but I can safely say that your post has helped me to further delve into minimalism on a spiritual level as well as physically reduce our posessions even further. As a parent it’s hard to convince yourself that children don’t need as much as we’re told to believe. The same way we convince ourselves that we need XY&Z to be happy, we also convince ourselves that our children need the same. This has been the biggest downfall for me. I have very little in the way of personal posessions, but the children have many. I’ve had a good heart to heart with them and we’ve decided that taking more than our fair share of toys/books etc impacts other people negatively and that it’s not fair to do so. How would we feel if it were us on the other end? Was a good and interesting discussion.
Thank you for yet another inspiring post.
I also enjoyed this post and it made me think.
You talk about kindness and setting limits to buying items which may come from sweatshop labor. This made me think about setting limits and boundaries in general. It’s often thought that kindness and connecting with people means giving all that you’ve got, helping others without regard to yourself and so on and so forth. I feel differently, because the way I see it is that only when you know how to have balanced boundaries you can truly feel kindness and be loving in your dealings with other living beings.
Learning to see my own value and not putting everyone else first has helped me to set boundaries and furthermore has made me want less stuff around me for comfort…Also, when I feel balanced and valued, I feel more kindly to others…
As someone who has been working in retail for the last 7 years, I truly wish that more people would show a greater sense of kindness towards their fellow human being.
I particularly love this part of what you wrote: “I’ll pass on the trendy top to avoid the possibility of sweatshop labor, and the leather handbag to avoid the slaughter of an innocent animal. I try to smile and speak kindly to everyone I meet, even if I’m feeling rushed or short-tempered.” as it corresponds closely with my own goals.
I think that if people were more aware of the consequences of their actions, the world would be a better place. But I feel that a lot of people approach life with a “someone else will clean it up” mentality, which bothers me greatly. However, reading your blog, and the comments that followed has really helped to give me a bit more hope in the face of another day cleaning up after people as they spend, spend spend.
Well said, ell, I could have written your post.
And thank you Francine, for writing such a lovely piece.
Lovely!
When we travel, we either bring back only photos or else things made on the spot. Woven wool bookmarks or hand carved magnets. Sometimes
just foreign coins.
When we were in Greece, I looked for one of those “eye” bracelets and couldn’t find the one I wanted. When I cleaned out my Mom’s drawers, I came across just what I wanted. She said it wasn’t hers and of course I could have it.
I try to make my possessions last as long as possible. I’m going on 2 years with a bottle of shampoo. I only need a tiny bit. Same for conditioner. I’ve been carrying the same purse for about 2 1/2 years, when it starts looking worn, I’ll use another one. Most of my clothes are years old. My slacks are at least 10 years old. It can’t harm the environment if I buy very little.
I am on a vegetarian kick right now. I’ m trying to only eat eggs and American cheese. Lots of fruit and things to do. There are a few things I’d like but books are at the library.
I have never colored my hair. Many friends and relatives have suggested colors to me. I don’t want to add those chemicals to the environment. I only wear make up if it’s a special occasion like a wedding where I want to look nice in pictures.
I try very hard to find another use for things. A friend had a box of broken sea shells. I said I thought they’d work well in my plants since egg shells do. I put them in the bottom with the gravel.
I have been asked to give classes in making things from old newspapers and magazines. I don’t buy papers for my projects and my flowers and jewelry have been on exhibit in a local museum. Recently for Earth Day, I made planters from newspapers.