Simple Storm

FBI Issues Usama Bin Laden Death Email Scam Warning

Malicious Software Features Usama bin Laden Links to Ensnare Unsuspecting Computer Users

• Adjust the privacy settings on social networking sites you frequent to make it more difficult for people you know and do not know to post content to your page. Even a “friend” can unknowingly pass on multimedia that’s actually malicious software.
• Do not agree to download software to view videos. These applications can infect your computer.
• Read e-mails you receive carefully. Fraudulent messages often feature misspellings, poor grammar, and nonstandard English.
• Report e-mails you receive that purport to be from the FBI. Criminals often use the FBI’s name and seal to add legitimacy to their fraudulent schemes. In fact, the FBI does not send unsolicited e-mails to the public. Should you receive unsolicited messages that feature the FBI’s name, seal, or that reference a division or unit within the FBI or an individual employee, report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

I recommend that you use the links and e-mail, Twitter, Facebook and whatever else with this announcement.

Humorous Moment

So anyway, we were at the diner (third booth on the right, I believe). The waiter was a pleasant fellow, and we've been waited on by him in the past. When we were done, he saw my "Superman" T-shirt and said, "Ah. Superman!"


I said, "It's what she wants me to be".


He replied, "Work on it, my friend."


I thought it was great.

Scriptures

Live with Less to Enjoy More

Spiritual Minimalism

First, I have to tell you where this Weblog is going overall.

I do not know.

The primary purpose is to be multi-faceted with an occasional emphasis on political matters. I will not specialize in those (or in other things) because I believe that it would get boring to both you and to me.

Regular readers may have noticed that there have been some changes in my subject matter and writing style. That is because there have been changes in my life, and I am returning to my Christian roots. A renewal, so to speak. Some things must be changed, others given up, still others need to be brought into my life, or at least, given more priority. Nobody should expect me to be a shining example of saintliness because I still have a long, long way to go.

Also, I am making up for some lost time, getting good Bible teaching and letting the political input wait for a while. It won't be forever, but I do not feel that I should be making time for that. People who read my articles for political content, do not despair because it will return. I just do not know when, capice?

What does that have to do with "Spiritual Minimalism", Cowboy Bob?

It is a very natural tie-in. I've been exploring Minimalism as a philosophy, but will not be able to become a real Minimalist in the traditional sense. Instead, I am reducing the clutter and the unnecessary things that I have accumulated over the years in what feels like lifetimes; I was a different man when I owned this, another man when I studied that, yet another when I was into...

Opening up boxes or seriously looking at things on shelves naturally brings back memories and some of the desires that I had. I had to "get real" with myself and admit that things are doing me no good being in boxes, and I will not live long enough to read all of the books that I accumulated. Much of this was the desire for knowledge that will always be with me. Nevertheless, I managed to give several boxes of books away to the local library.

I will have to find homes for other things as well.

Some people caution me about getting rid of things, that they "might be valuable". That is part of the reason I have had problems, because of "potential resale value". Too much trouble, especially if something is questionable. Hanging on to sentimental things? They have been in boxes for years, so obviously, they are not that important to me (thank you Peter Walsh for that insight).

This is all a part of reducing the clutter for both me and for a Minimalist. It takes honesty and introspection. The essence of Minimalism is to cut down on the clutter because it takes away from y0ur time, costs you money, takes up space, draws your affection so that you love stuff instead of people and relationships. In and of itself, this process is somewhat spiritual.

It becomes more spiritual when you make a commitment to Jesus. Yes, I did use the "J" word! People are afraid that if they become serious Christians, that they will have to "give up" the things that they like. Perhaps that is so, but also, some of the things that are given up are done out of habit and not because they honestly give pleasure. Giving up things, cutting away the nonsense that is unnecessary or even harmful, will make room in your spirit for better things to take up "space".

Let me give you some more from my own experiences. Books that I gave away were from failed attempts at expertise, and that just makes sense. Other books were occult, and I am destroying those because I do not want other people to be diverted from the truth. For this reason, I also destroyed my Tarot cards.

Getting rid of the spiritual "clutter" that distracts you from spiritual truth and things that you should be doing gives clarity of mind and peace in the spirit. At least, that is what is happening with me lately. Physical Minimalism is a great illustration for spiritual Minimalism. I recommend cutting away the things that weigh you down and getting in line with where God wants you to be.

Making An Impact

I've been reading posts from some of the prominent minimalists lately, and I have to say, "You're freaking NUTS!" Trying to change the world, change society, whatever... No, it's all about changing YOU. If you want to create a socialist utopia, you are out of your mind and I want nothing to do with you!

Why Do We Have So Many Possessions?

Surprisingly (to me), something useful cropped up on Twitter while I was browsing and waking up. Mrs. Albrecht posted a link to Lifehack: "Examine your motives : Why do you have so much stuff?"

Take a look at http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/how-much-stuff-do-you-need-to-f...

I think I should point out this Bible quote:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

-- Matthew 6.19-21 (NIV)

In Simple Terms

Cutting down to the essence, the most important thing in simple, minimal terms.

(download)

Click here to download:

doyouknow.swf (253 KB)

Minimalist Obsession

Deciding that being a Minimalist can be a liberating thing. I have one simple caution for, you, however: Don't lock it in with an ideology. Some Minimalists need to read this posting directly, but they (1) do not reply to mail, or (2) claim to rely on Twitter instead of comments, but never reply to that, either.

I've been reading material by Minimalists that start out all right, and then they lose me when they go on with an ideological slant. One recent article referred to the "global warming crisis". I wanted to grab this guy's shoulders, give him a good shake and yell, "Crisis? It's a hoax! More and more people are realizing it, so minimalize your obsession. Get your head out of your ideology and get on with the business of living!" Of course, this is one of the people that uses Minimalism as a political platform, so such activities on my part would only make me feel better, and he would be stuck living his ideological lie.

Other writers are crying about "consumerism". Sure, buying lots of stuff ruins any goals you may have about being a minimalist. But you have no business trying to force your world view on people who are determined to amass stuff that becomes clutter and encumbers their lives. I have no problem with someone pointing out the broader philosophy (and spiritual truth) that love of things drags people down, but people are out of line when they want to force that world view on others by destroying capitalism or something.

My advice to them is to go on about their Minimalist business, write about how liberating it has been for them, offer that joy to others. Just get over your obsession with ideologies and you won't have as much mental and emotional clutter to deal with as well as the physical clutter.

Minimalism as a Political Statement

The more I read about Minimalism, the more "bad vibes" I get from some people. A while ago, I wrote that one of the strongest points to Minimalism is that there is no "creed", archbishop or rulebook, just some core values. The main point of Minimalism as a philosophy is to uncomplicate your life; reduce the clutter and attachment to stuff, be free to have what you really want, and especially be able to spend more time with the ones you love.

That ideal is very appealing to me, and I've been able to continue my own journey to reducing the things in my life. Problem is, some of these people insist on complicating matters.

What alarms me is some of the comments that seem almost hysterical in nature. Essentially, "There is too much consumerism in the world! We can change the world!" Oh, please! Minimalism is an individual thing by its nature. And statements that rail against "consumerism" stink suspiciously of anti-capitalistic attitudes. Are you trying to use Minimalism as a way to bring socialism about? Bad idea.

"The richest have most of the wealth and use most of the resources!" I have some bad news for you, Sunshine, there are enough wealth and resources to go around. Just because you want to go without, and want everyone else to reduce what they have and use, doesn't mean that this approach will feed the world's hungry people or give them opulence.

"There will be less impact on the environment!" Yup. Less packaging to dispose of, less resources used up, etc. Loss of jobs, economic impact... Oh, you didn't think about those things?

Yes, I fully agree that there is too much selfishness, greed and attachment to stuff. That is not for you to make people change. You may appeal to their reason by asking if people really are happy with so much stuff, or if they spend too much time, money and effort worrying about, caring for, securing of and clinging to it. Frankly, the problem is a spiritual one. Religions discourage attachment to things, they interfere with your spiritual growth.

I've said it before, and now I'll be ungentle: Don't use your viewpoint to try to change the world, and to make me change my viewpoint, capice? Minimalism is a great philosophy because each person can go about it in his or her own way.