The Simplicity Circle
Voluntary Simplicity is a movement
of people in the United States who are rethinking the American Dream. The
Simplicity Circle is an informal study group for people who want to share
ideas about working, spending & consuming less. The Simplicity
Circle is an opportunity to share with friends & neighbors dealing
with the same issues. We meet quarterly on the 4th Thursday of the
month at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Antonio. Check the online calendar for
date, time and room.
These events
will be facilitated by Jessie Dominguez with help from other area Simplicity
Practitioners. However, the real energy of this discussion
will come from the contributions & sharing of the participants. For
more about the circle contact Jessie Dominguez at callingkidkarma@hotmail.com .
To
continue the support throughout the year, we have an email group. To
subscribe, send a message to simplicitycircle-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .
40 NATURAL HIGHS - The Author is unknown
- Falling in love.
- A hot shower.
- Getting snail mail.
- Taking a drive on a pretty road.
- A Chocolate milkshake.
- A long distance phone call.
- Getting invited to a dance.
- A good conversation.
- A care package.
- Finding a $20 bill in your coat from last winter.
- Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
- Laughing at an inside joke.
- Falling in love for the first time.
- Slumber parties.
- Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
- Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
- Your first kiss.
- Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
- Late night talks with your roommate that keep you from sleeping.
- Having someone play with your hair.
- Sweet dreams.
- Hot chocolate.
- Swinging on swings.
- Watching a good movie cuddled up on a coach with someone you love.
- Wrapping presents under the Christmas tree while eating cookies and drinking eggnog.
- Song lyrics printed inside your new CD so you can sing along without feeling stupid.
- Going to a really good concert.
- Getting butterflies in your stomach every time you see that one person.
- Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
- Winning a really competitive game.
- Making chocolate chip cookies!
- Riding a bike downhill.
- The feeling after running a few miles - an accomplishment!
- Seeing smiles and hearing laughter from your friends...
- Holding hands with someone you care about.
- Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.
- Discovering that love is unconditional and stronger than time.
- Riding the best roller coasters over and over.
- Watching the expression someone's face as they open a much- desired present from you.
- Kisses on your forehead from the first and only boy (or girl) you have ever loved.
- Getting out of bed every morning and thanking God for a beautiful day.
SUGGESTED RESOURCE LIST FOR THE SIMPLICITY CIRCLE
(Assembled by Jessie Dominguez & Diane Duesterhoeft)
- Center for a New American Dream:
- Launched in 1997, helps Americans consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life and promote social justice.
- The Frugal Life:
- Offers resources about learning to live frugally
- The Simple Living Network:
- Tools, Examples & Contacts For Conscious, Simple, Healthy & Restorative Living
- Invest in Yourself - Six Secrets to a Rich Life
- by Marc Eisenson, Gerri Detwelier and Nancy Castleman 1998 (332.024 Eisen) Published by John Wiley and Sons
- Cashing in on the American Dream - How to Retire at the age of 35
- by Paul Terhorst 1998 Published by Harper Collin
- Simple Living – The Path to Joy and Freedom
- by Jose Hobday 1998 (284.4 Hobday) Published by the Continuum Company
- Your Money or Your Life
- By Joe Dominguez and Vicky Robin 1992 (332.034 Doming) Published by Hay House Inc.
- Margin: Restoring Emotional, Financial, Physical and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives
- 1991 By Richard A. Swenson, M.D. (155.9042 Swenson) Published by NAVPRE
- The Millionaire Next Door
- 1996 By Thomas Stanley and William Danko Published by Pocket Books
- The Overspent American – Upscaling, Downshifting and the New Consumer
- By Juliet B. Schor 1998 (339.47097) Published by Basic books
