1...2...3.... Happy!

I liked these 44 lil tips on how to be healthier and happier.

I especially tuned into the ones about simplifying your finances, and letting go of materialism. I've been thinking a lot about materialism since my brother sent me this video on our never ending cycle of 'stuff'. This cycle is what ultimately caused my unhappiness in Beijing. People, stuff, things, more stuff, and more people everywhere, all the time. They all want to buy an apartment, buy a car, earn more money, get a better job.......... ahhhhhh! Enough about stuff! China is America times a billion.

I'm recuperating in this little haven called Portland where people realize that this world isn't all about getting more and more stuff. I'm hoping that living in South America will allow me to be immersed in a culture of valuing the best things in life--simple things, free things, intangible things-- rather than a culture that forever chases and praises the gods of stuff. But who knows? Maybe I'll find that no culture in this world is free from the clanking chains of commercialism.

On the other side of things, however, I will have to admit that some stuff is necessary, and some stuff is nice, even if unnecessary. I was baking with my sister the other night in my mom's kitchen, and we were amazed at how we were able to find every single ingredient, utensil, and dish to spontaneously make, "Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Brown Butter Frosting." We mused at how in our previous kitchens in our former apartments, it would have taken an all day shopping trip to come up with all of those things. I thought aloud, "I look forward to one day when I have a fully stocked kitchen in which I can bake whatever on a whim. But for now, it feels so so nice not to have a lot of stuff!" There is something liberating about being able to pack your whole life into a few suitcases and a few boxes. But without my mom's place to fall back on and keep a roof over my head between moves, I would be too liberated-- in homeless type of way. I am extremely grateful for this and hope to return the favor one day for my kids-- when I'm older and have accumulated my own stuff.

But definitely not too much stuff.