讀書會|英文讀書會|快樂英語讀書會|中華民國快樂英語協會

網站 http://www.happyforum.org/ 歡迎超連結並轉寄網址
論壇 http://www.happyforum.org/happy/ 歡迎至論壇討論

歡迎加入Taichung Happy English Club粉絲團



Time：第 460 會，2019 年 3 月 9 日（週六）下午2:30~5:30
Place：
http://www.happyforum.org/happy/viewtopic.php?t=15

Agenda
14:30~15:30 Session One
15:30~15:50 Speech Session
15:50~16:00 Change Group and then Break Time
16:00~17:15 Session Two
17:15~17:30 Happy Time

Host: Vicki Chen
Assistant Host:

Topic:
The Cost of Clutter in Your Life
Source:
https://www.verywellmind.com/the-cost-of-clutter-3144688


Please Note:
Venue:台中市南屯區 大業路182號 Mos Burger二樓
Thanks a lot for your attention.

Questions:

1. How often do you declutter your house? Do you think your home is clutter-free? Are you pursuing a Minimalist Lifestyle?

2. Are you a shopaholic , especially during the sales seasons? What kind of everyday commodities do you usually store up in your house?

3. Have you ever heard of斷捨離（だんしゃり）: the art of letting go, cutting clutter, and living a meaningful life with less? Do you support this concept? Is it easy for you to get rid of things that you don’t use them anymore?

4. Do you believe in Feng Shui? If yes, what kind of things do you usually do for it? Do you arrange your house according to some Feng Shui theories?

例會須知
時間地點須知：
http://www.happyforum.org/happy/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15
協會章程：
http://www.happyforum.org/Association_Principle.htm
各分會章程：
http://www.happyforum.org/Club_Principle.htm
協會會員會費及各分會會員會費及入場費：
http://www.happyforum.org/15.htm
參與例會，請自行列印當週的討論文章，並帶至現場
http://www.happyforum.org/happy/viewforum.php?f=33
參與例會，請勿討論政治/種族/宗教/性，經勸導無效者，不得參加本會任何活動
http://www.happyforum.org/happy/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1766
週六晚餐(Saturday Dinner)
http://www.happyforum.org/happy/viewforum.php?f=76
戶外活動(Club Outing)

Dear Taichung Happiers,

Seek simplicity like swinging our heads towards the Sun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1XiOVHviaM

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” After Leonardo da Vinci whispered this timeless wisdom, Michelangelo echoed, “I created a vision of David in my mind and simply carved away everything that was not David.” Several centuries later, Steve Jobs delivered his lines accordingly and assuredly. “That’s been one of my mantras – focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” Surely, simplicity is not only about material possessions, but also about our work, thoughts, and even words. In the video above, Ellen is right, because the best authors write with a great “economy of words”--using only the necessary words. Yet, how come we look at one another in confusion while talking about de-cluttering? De-cluttering is not a mission impossible. But, reality doesn’t seem inclined to collaborate. De-cluttering gives the feeling of Tango dancing--we twist and turn, dance and dance around, and find we seldom reach any specific area several feet away from where we were. However, the primary purpose of de-cluttering is to pay more attention to our surroundings and choose items, situations, and relationships that we love; to live with greater peace and happiness; to discover something we can enjoy, something that touches our hearts. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to join our host Vicki in learning the art of simplicity and pursuing an authentic love for life.

Less is more. “Life is short. Smile when you still have teeth.” If we want to let simplicity take the center stage, how can we define simplicity? The unique expressions of our inner selves often go hand in hand with our spaces, which can support our dreams. Nevertheless, while facing the clutter, we could be struck by a wave of stress so intense that we have no choice but to surrender to it. Therefore, Dr. Andrea Umbach invites us to dig deeper into the causes of clutter. https://www.psychbytes.com/why-do-i-have-so-much-stuff/ You’re lucky if you don’t have a breath of resistance to de-cluttering left in your body. Research results have revealed that clutter can kill our creativity. Aside from some unusual stirs of distractions and confusion, we recognize none of the signs. https://www.thisisinsider.com/minimalist-lifestyle-can-optimize-creativity-2019-2 American essayist, philosopher, and historian Henry David Thoreau (July 12, 1817 – May 6, 1862) simply asserted “As you simplify your life, the laws of the Universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness.” Simplicity and minimalism create space and peace, aid our focus on life purpose, and eventually, increase our confidence. We can experience a delicious moment of profound relief and wellbeing by longing for purity and coming in simplicity. Patty Purpur de Vries, director of the Stanford Health Promotion Network of the Stanford Prevention Research Center, depicts how we can benefit more from living with fewer possessions. https://bewell.stanford.edu/a-clean-well-lighted-place/

"Messy Room" (by Shel Silverstein)

Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
His underwear is hanging on the lamp.
His raincoat is there in the overstuffed chair,
And the chair is becoming quite mucky and damp.
His workbook is wedged in the window,
His sweater's been thrown on the floor.
His scarf and one ski are beneath the TV,
And his pants have been carelessly hung on the door.
…….
Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
Donald or Robert or Willie or--
Huh? You say it's mine? Oh, dear,
I knew it looked familiar!

Simplicity is the new luxury. “My room is not dirty. I just have everything on display. Like a museum.” What do you think is “David” for Michelangelo? What is the most important for you? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGuPCRDKkwY The point is not how big the house is—it is how happy the home is. Moreover, what’s the connection between your childhood dream and your current house? Would you like to build a house inspired by your favorite book, music, or food? What if a mini house can make you dream bigger? This one is absolutely jaw-dropping. Wow! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avn7brkxmmo Home. Home is the place from which ultimate comfort and safety are derived. What important qualities in your home mask the silent stress that has already seized you? Will the color you use to accent your favorite room delight a painter? Our memory of home indicates a perfectly calculated strength and springiness. This small yet cozy house has more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJso9GciU0U The way we live with our important things and make every moment of the day a feast, is simplicity--the spirit of things, instead of their beauty, attracts us more. So, what is simplicity but another name of positive energy? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn_6TrfpLms

It’s more about what we feel than about what we see. No vaccine can stimulate Clutter-Immunity. “I keep a clean desk. Now, all the mess is in the computer.” How complicated our life can be is sometimes beyond our imagination and expectation; nobody can afford to let the bird of simplicity in our hands fly away. We are in a constant state of being bombarded by the media, which desperately demonstrate the equation “Materialism = Happiness”. Deep down, we know, we know what matters most is the experience of connection. Connection-- the invisible tie--that spark of electricity between people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyzaDUJOhyY On the other hand, the brilliant idea of minimalism could bring a bittersweet smile to our lips. Minimalism is different for everyone—only you can decide what your unique happy needs are. Either minimalism is a fad or not, we can tell what we are from what we love. So, tell me, please, what is your family tradition of home decoration? Can we rebuild the harmonious connection between space and culture? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v99qNUmN1Y0 Furthermore, every house has its own personality—it should have different expressions, and, most importantly, the balance. It’s like the choices a pilot ought to make: Yes or no? Up or down? Full or empty? Right or wrong? Now, relax, please. Grasp a nice cup of tea and enjoy these distinguished designs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odhQ_ckjPyY Above all, the spirit of simplicity is to recognize more and respect more. Only when we share things can everything has their true value. What can be more inspiring and encouraging than giving more things and giving more thanks? Award-winning author and illustrator Elizabeth Dulemba, a non-minimalist, has sold and given away almost all she has had. Why? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pb-hjqdjbY

Home. Home is the only place in the world where we can be completely ourselves. There is no room for alternative in our minds.
“We shape our homes and then our homes shape us.” We have to take some time to savour Winston Churchill’s words. How do we perceive the world? What makes us happy? Home is an authentic reflection of us; simplicity can make everything we have and we create more understandable, repeatable, and accessible. No simplicity, no sustainability. Having less makes every home story collection comprising more layers of telling and retelling. De-cluttering is an on-going journey of hearing the harmony for our space, mind, and culture. Meanwhile, in life, nothing worthwhile is easy. A little mess in your home can be perfectly perfect. Decluttering grants more room for our minds. Remarkably, we smile, a sincere show of appreciation that apparently transforms our faces. Seek simplicity like swinging our heads towards the Sun. With every step we can feel our doubt and weight evaporating. Seek simplicity like swinging our heads towards the Sun. Join us. Thanks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV3cafvqFOk&app=desktop







With Gratitude,
Jasmine

20190309 Gathering