Karen Karn

I saw this in my Instagram feed this morning. minimalismfilm.com I don't know, either. I read somewhere that it's perfectly natural to want. As a species we are evolving, and part of evolution is to strive to achieve something more than that which lies within our immediate grasp. From the beaks of finches to fiscal ambitions, it's all about becoming better, adapting to achieve success. I understand that Joshua Becker and Ryan Nicodemus and the new minimalists are talking about mindless consumerism, the incessant desire to fill the God-shaped hole with something that bears no resemblance to God, material goods such as the latest iPhone, a new dining set or this season's handbag/haircut/shoes. I understand that The Minimalists , who I admire greatly, have been at the top of the corporate ladder, surrounded by all their material possessions and found the hole even more gaping. Aside from manic over consumerism, to want isn't always a mindless exercise. ...

Nice blog post, translated from Norwegian. Original post written by Christine Otterstad - AKA, Otters A Mother's Worry Posted at  9:04 pm  by  christineotterstad - også kalt Otters , on januar 16, 2014 "I'm sitting in the living room with my 11 year old son. He does his homework and I work a little. Suddenly, he puts down his pencil and asks what I'm writing about today. "Today, I’m doing a little research for my book" I reply. "I have a tip on what to write about" he continued. "Something I've been thinking about.” I shut the PC, thinking that this could be interesting. The boy breathes and takes moment: "I thought you should write about mums, and all the concerns they have. Like you, for instance, you worry yourself sick for your kids all the time. For us to have a good time and stuff... But the problem is that when you worry yourself SO sick, it becomes sort so serious to not have be happy! It's almost ...

Every now and then, with us, the subject of moving crops up. I don't think that's unusal in this day and age, when it's no big deal to up sticks and plant yourself, and your family, in a new environment, a new town, a new country, the other side of the world. When we get to dreaming, we start looking online at houses for sale in the area we imagine ourselves living. This has a twofold effect. Firstly, I look at other people's homes (something I LOVE doing anyway), and feel deeply dissatisfied with my own, scruffy little one. Then I get inspired! I see, and know, that the houses have been prepped, that they've cleared out their clutter and no doubt have crates of junk stowed away in the attic or neighbour's garage. I can do that! I can streamline! I can buy white paint and new, matching cushion covers. Why not?! Then, I saw this house. Not too far out of our price range, this house did something to me. Sold almost as soon as it came on the market, it speak...