Living Small

What an adaptable lot we humans are!

I was reminded of that on our recent trip which found four of us living cheek by jowl in a small, two room apartment. I don't know the square footage, but it seemed to be smaller that the combined area of our living room and dining room, which are not large in themselves. Not at all.

We managed quite well, the four of us. Even with the kitchen almost at the foot of our futon, when the girls got ready for work, we barely stirred. At night, when it was time for Mom and Dad to go to bed, they simply took their laptops, iPods, and books into the bedroom and managed quite well for an hour or two before they also conked out.

Not only do I find human adaptability to be impressive, but that particular living situation that we were in for three weeks also serves to remind me that we are rather consumptive critters. It seems to be in our natures to not just take what we need but what we want, and we tend to want an awful lot an awful lot of the time. We want monster homes and roomy vehicles and myriad treats and doodads, and the getting often doesn't seem to satisfy but causes us to want more.

The treats, such as the occasional trip, really do help to make life enjoyable, but how many do we need and at what cost, I wonder. In my mind the essential stuff of happiness is to be found in having sufficient for our needs, both physical and spiritual. Treats are good, but that's what they need to be — enjoyable extras and not staples of happiness.

We are quick to tell our children that too much candy isn't good for them, and it is this guy's opinion that the same applies to adult goodies. I think that many of us could make do with less, but I don't just think that. I also think that some of us would actually be happier living with less.