SMART Living 365

Ideas to create a more happy, peaceful and rewarding life--365!

Are You Really A Minimalist?—And Five Questions To Find Out

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Filed under: Meaningful, Rightsized, Sustainable

Do you consider yourself a minimalist? Do you even know what minimalism means? Lately I’ve been excited by a number of blogs and websites devoted to the topic. That interest signals a reverse in the over-consumptive tendencies and consumer lifestyle so prevalent during the last couple of decades here in the U.S. But often when I read the posts and comments on such sites, it seems that those who are involved have differing views of what minimalism is and why it can be beneficial. Perhaps before we start calling ourselves a minimalist we should describe what we mean in the first place. [Read more…]

Cultivating Consciousness And Vegetables At The Esalen Institute

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Filed under: Aware, Meaningful, Sustainable

by Kathy Gottberg

Learning about the farm and garden

Last week Thom and I spent six days at The Esalen Institute on the Big Sur coastline of California.  Esalen, as it is more commonly known, has existed for the last 50 years as a world-renowned sanctuary/retreat center perched on an eye-popping coastline in the central part of the state.  Started in 1962, some of the world’s leading philosophers, educators, activists, artists and thought leaders gathered at this site to explore the boundaries of human potential and consciousness.  Besides that, the facility structures itself as a model for sustainability, permaculture and organizational transformation.   Its vibrant and lush 5-acre garden and farm burst with flowers, plants and vegetables that feed and sustain both the visitors and staff.   Besides offering stunning landscapes for rest and rejuvenation, Esalen also features a fresh water creek, roaring ocean-side cliffs, and natural hot mineral spring baths.  Clearly, something for every seeker exists at Esalen.    Thom and I came to see for ourselves—and to take a workshop called, “Experiencing the Esalen Farm and Garden.” [Read more…]

Walkability–How Walkable is Your Neighborhood?

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Filed under: Sustainable

Happy SMART Day Everyone!

Walking with Kloe near our neighborhood.

Until recently, very few of us purchased a home or rented a house based upon its “walkability score.”  But that might be changing.  With increased emphasis on the benefits of living in a home where you can walk to community services like libraries, schools and shopping—plus increasing legislation which promotes sustainable regional growth strategies for both housing and transportation—attitudes may be shifting.  In fact, as more people attempt to embrace a more SMART and eco-friendly lifestyle, walkability is proving to be one of the best “steps” on the way to going green.
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Seven SMART and Safe Tips for Buying A New Home

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Filed under: Rightsized, Sustainable

Happy SMART Day Everyone!

Our first home in Colorado Springs, CO

This last weekend Thom and I spent time with good friends that are looking to buy a new home.   In case I haven’t mentioned it before, both Thom and I have been real estate brokers for over 25 years (yikes!  Where does the time go?)  While Thom works exclusively with commercial properties, I mainly keep my license active in order to use that knowledge for my writing career.  Plus, it comes in handy for personal use and sometimes to help friends or family.  After showing our friends about ten homes in different areas, it occurred to me that based upon my experience, I could offer some tips to anyone who wishes to buy a home in a SMART (sustainable, meaningful, artful, responsible and thankful) way.  So here are my seven tips to do just that! [Read more…]

Is Your Over-Thinking An Addiction? —Here Are Eight Steps To Recovery

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Filed under: Rightsized, Sustainable

Happy SMART Day Everyone!

I like choices.  Nearly every one of my decisions is carefully researched to maximize the greatest number of benefits.  When I buy something, I like to know I purchased the best product at the best price.  When I travel somewhere, I am fairly certain I’ll enjoy the most outstanding experience available.  When working I am reasonably convinced that I have covered as many bases as possible and creatively contributed to my field.   And while most of the time I enjoy the process—I have to admit there are times when I take the whole thing to extreme. (I’m sure Thom, my husband, would agree!)  That’s when I know I am caught in the loop of over-thinking and that’s when it’s time to seek recovery. [Read more…]

Don’t Let Hornworms or Or Any Kind of Trouble Get You Down!

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Filed under: Rightsized, Sustainable

This year, for the first time ever, I planted a garden.  At the beginning, it was fun, rewarding and easy.  I began harvesting lettuce within two weeks and peppers barely 30 days later. Every day was a miracle as I watched green tomatoes forming on my wandering vines. Then, just as I anticipated ripe tomatoes, I noticed something awful.  Huge juicy caterpillars were munching my vines and my baby tomatoes.  Not only were they devastating my plants, their overwhelming presence shattered my idyllic garden image. Almost overnight, my garden became both a challenging endeavor and a reality check.   Much as I’d like to believe that disappointment or challenges don’t happen to all of us on a regular basis—the truth is they do.  And because it is SMART to stay focused on solutions rather than the problem, here are 8 suggestions anyone of us can use to overcome the hornworms  (or any other challenge!) you face in your life.

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The World Happiness Report And How It Applies To You and Me

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Filed under: Sustainable

Happy SMART Day Everyone!

The World Happiness Report is hot off the presses and critics are lining up to take shots at its diversion from the GDP and the economic status quo. Commissioned for a United Nations Conference on happiness and published by The Earth Institute at Columbia University, a major focus of the report suggests the outrageous idea that seeking the well-being and happiness of individual citizens is much more important than the growth and health of that country’s economy.   Using statistics from over 150 different countries and three prominent world studies, the report offers ways that governments can develop public policies to support and enhance the quality of life for its citizens, and create a more sustainable foundation for happiness for everyone.  What does that mean for you and I?  And why are the critics so worked up about it? [Read more…]

SMART Living—Seeking Wholeness and Balance In Everyday Life

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Filed under: Meaningful, Rightsized, Sustainable

Happy SMART Day Everyone!

Photo by mbeo on flickr–see link below

Have you been wondering what living responsibly and within your means has to do with positive thinking and happiness?  Or what about articles focused on the search for meaning and purpose, and how those ideas relate to being grateful and appreciating what you have?  And what do any of those have to do with staying curious, open-minded and conscious? In case you haven’t noticed, I write about all these and more here on SMART Living on a fairly regular basis.  And while they might appear at first to be unconnected, I’m convinced that all of these topics and ideas flow together to create a balanced and whole life.  In fact, embracing all of those ideas just might be the perfect way to achieve happiness and a sense of well-being every single day. [Read more…]

Need A Raise? Cut Your Overhead!

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Filed under: Rightsized, Sustainable

Happy SMART Day Everyone!

Our new "shared" yard saves us about $7,000 a year!

When was your last raise?  Everyone I know would love to have one, but they don’t usually come all that often.  Still, if we consider that a raise is just a new inflow of money—we all have one readily available.    That new inflow or “raise” in income is always within your grasp by simply cutting your overhead or monthly expenses.   And even if the idea of cutting back sounds like a sacrifice, you may just discover that reducing overhead—especially when unnecessary or unused—can actually be a pleasure.  And your pocketbook will thank you as well. [Read more…]