On the Optimism of Doing More with Less

By Dr. Russ

Perhaps a Golden Optimistic Opportunity of the recent deep economic downturn is the realization that we can do more with less.  Not only can we do more with less, we also learn that we can be happier with less rather than more.  How is this possible you ask?

First, let’s visit the LAND of MORE.

The excess of MORE creates anxiety, distraction, over-indulgence, and even a kind of mania.  In this LAND people worship a God called MORE – more of this and more of that.  Problem is, the MORE GOD did not create the universe and all that is wonderful in it.  The MORE GOD just created MORE.  More of what you ask?  That’s it – only one thing – a desire for MORE.  The problem is that MORE is NEVER ENOUGH.  No matter how much MORE you have, you still want MORE.

Anxiety sets in as we worry if we will really be able to get and acquire MORE.  We think how terrible it would be if we can’t get ANY MORE.  A life without MORE would be catastrophic, unbearable, and even life-as-we-know-it-ending.

We become distracted by every promise of MORE from any source of information.  We begin shifting our attention in more and more moments because MORE might be over here or over there or beyond that next hill or curve in the road.

Overindulgence in consuming MORE and MORE gradually occupies every moment of the day.  But, if we don’t keep eating and using up our MORE, we won’t have room for ANY MORE.  How horrible! Another catastrophe!

Eventually, we deteriorate to a state of mindless mania as we become so preoccupied with MORE that we no longer sleep, our mind is racing - looking for MORE, worrying about the loss of MORE, the dire consequences of not having enough MORE, how to make MORE, use MORE, and YES even BE MORE!

Make it STOP you scream! You want OUT of the LAND of MORE.

Finally, you recognize the problem and have a choice to make.  Either you move to the land of LESS or suffocate in MORE.

In the LAND of LESS . . .

. . . there is JUST ENOUGH, not only for you, but your children, family and everyone else.  Wait a minute you say, how can there be JUST ENOUGH?

In the LAND of LESS you have JUST ENOUGH because that is all you need.  You do NOT NEED ANY MORE.

In the LAND of LESS we become calm, relaxed, focused, happy and energized.  We remain calm because we know we will have JUST ENOUGH of what we need. 

Without the worry of MORE we can relax and heal our mind, body and soul. 

We can focus on what’s important like helping others to have JUST ENOUGH, and thanking GOD for giving us JUST ENOUGH. 

As we build collaborative communities in the LAND of LESS, where everyone works together to make sure all have JUST ENOUGH, we are happy in our work and even have time for play.

As we see others living a better life in the LAND of LESS we become energized to expand our efforts to create a land that PROMISES LESS IN ORDER TO HAVE MORE.