Ananda is many things in life, from a companion to Buddha to a spiritual movement in pursuit of bliss in the everyday.  I will discuss the history and meaning of Ananda and the founder of the Ananda movement. Ananda is a joyful life, a disciple of Buddha, and a religion of God’s presence as tangible…

I have learned that we all have various inner thoughts and instincts that drive us, but what exactly are they, and how do they work?  Sigmund Freud’s three-part human personality theory can help explain how the id, ego, and superego play distinctive roles in the development of our personalities and our lives. The id, ego,…

I know what it’s like to live a scattered and chaotic life. Even though I knew something was amiss, I didn’t know what it was or how to fix it. Thankfully, the concept of essentialism was there to guide me to clarity and purpose.  Essentialism is a tool for evaluating one’s life. It helps define…

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all my travels, it’s that you don’t need as much as you think you do. The key is knowing what to bring and how to pack it.  Packing light is traveling with only what is necessary and packing as efficiently as possible. Packing light is ideal for backpacking…

Life is busy and packed with work, home, people, stuff, and more, which tends to contribute to stress.  How can we reduce things and actually enjoy life more?  I will discuss minimalism and how simplifying can make your life less cluttered and stressful while providing you with more space and money.  Minimalism is a lifestyle…

I have always found Japanese culture fascinating. Have you ever seen a living room with worn, mismatched furniture and loved the aesthetic? Or maybe you have a favorite bowl that’s stained and chipped but still brings you much joy? You’ve been experiencing wabi-sabi, another unique concept birthed by Japan.  Wabi-sabi is part feeling, part philosophy,…

We’ve all come across those people we thought were different, special, and unique in their own way. I believe specific characteristics and behaviors make someone unique, whether a teacher, friend, or stranger on the street. A unique person has something that sets them apart from others.  They leave an impression, have an unpredictable nature, or…

We all have things in our homes we’d really like to get rid of, but throwing them away feels wasteful.  I’m going to discuss the concept of trashing nothing or freecycling and why it’s a better way to declutter without waste. To trash nothing means to donate, reuse, and recycle rather than contribute to waste. …

In control, we find safety — or so we think. In my life, I have found security in controlling my environment, but what happens when that starts to crumble? What happens when one can no longer hold together all the pieces of their life?  To let go of control is to surrender to the flow…

As a minimalist in today’s society, I’m here to tell you that much isn’t required for you to be a minimalist. Minimalism comes down to a perspective and a way of life rather than an outward appearance. The modern minimalist lives a life of simplicity, meaning they value the present moment and what can be…