Sunday, December 18, 2016

Dominique Loreau, 'L'Art de la Simplicité: How to Live More with Less' (2016)

Dominique Loreau, L'Art de la Simplicité: How to Live More with Less (English edition, Louise Rogers Lalaurie, translator, 2016; French edition, 2011). I love this kind of book: lots of everyday poetic-philosophical tidbits and holistic ideas blended together, take 'em or leave 'em.

". . . in the studio of your mind . . . putting thoughts into action takes vision: without it, you will lack direction"  (page 147).  

"We have a choice in everything we do. There are reasons why we focus on certain choices and not others" (which she then delineates -- pages 171+).

". . . there are many forms of intelligence -- emotional intelligence, intelligent good sense. Some people have neither" (page 187). Be aware and beware of these sorts of people.

"READ AS MUCH AS YOU CAN . . . Words express our thoughts . . . Each of us is a unique collage, of our parents, our friends, our studies, experiences and travels, our reading . . . A cultivated person can perceive the unity and multiplicity of a thing at once, and see no contradiction" (page 210). 
Dominique Loreau, L'Art de la Simplicité: How to Live More with Less (English edition, Louise Rogers Lalaurie, translator, 2016; French edition, 2011).

"We acquire and expand energy through ideas" (page 227).

"QI AND ENTHUSIASM . . . Enthusiasm is an emotion that spurs us into action. It is a powerful energy form, to be cultivated with dedication" (page 231). This may be one of the most practical and important ideas in the book. 

"One thing alone is true: live well. But to live well we must  be truly 'alive,' and love life itself" (page 231). 

'TRAVEL, LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL . . . How can we be free if we cling to home like an oyster to a rock, mired in routine and boredom? Travel for pleasure . . . A pencil and notebook are all we need . . . The experience will leave an indelible trace in your soul" (pages 233-234). Indeed, go forth!

Today's Rune:  Initiation. 

5 comments:

the walking man said...

To live simply one curbs desire to expend energy in all its forms.

Charles Gramlich said...

One of Xavier's motto's has always been "doing more with less."

Anonymous said...

Erik, I am trying to pare down my extensive shoe collection. I simply don't need 'em all and sometimes the indulgence makes me feel guilty.

Danny Tagalog said...

Hi Erik! This chimes well with my own thoughts. 2017 is going to be a year when I reduce my paid workload, live simply but live more creatively. I look forward to reading up on your choices, too. Happy Christmas! Hope all is well with you and yours...

Erik Donald France said...

Cheers, dudes! Danny, splendid!