Have we become so time-pressed, systematic and organised in some of the things we do, that we’ve managed the fun and joy out of daily activities?
Are we overly reliant on modern convenience in all aspects of our lives?
As the summer continues, maybe we can store up our joy reserves with simple outdoor pleasures, like sitting in a garden?
Or enhance our sense of accomplishment by enjoying a view after we’ve climbed the hill to get to it?
Have a good month
Sinead
Shunmyō Masuno is a Japanese Monk and Garden Designer who has an interesting approach to life and our environment.
Shunmyō is famous for his garden designs. Before he starts working, he sits in silence to listen to the space in order to hear from it what it needs.
He is also an author having written a number of books about the art of living simply. One of his books is called “The Art of Simple Living: 100 Daily Practices from a Japanese Zen Monk for a Lifetime of Calm and Joy”. In it, he offers easy to follow advice such as the following:
Lining up your shoes after you take them off can bring order to your mind.Going outside to watch the sunset can make every day feel celebratory.
Planting a flower and watching it grow can teach you to embrace change.
In addition to his writing and designing gardens throughout the world, Shunmyō has delivered lectures at various universities. I think there is a lot to learn from his philosophy on life
In early June, I read an article in the Financial Times by Jemima Kelly, “We should stop worshipping at the altar of convenience” . Jemima was writing about the introduction of new rules in France outlawing internal flights for trips where a train journey is available. Using internal flights is an example where human convenience can come at the cost of the environment.
Jemima’s overall point was broader than environmental concerns and I was reminded of it recently.
I visited Blarney Castle and heard a fellow visitor wish there was a lift to go to the top of the castle instead of having to climb winding narrow steps.
Sometimes, the convenient route is the one that denies us the pleasure of achievement or pride in our accomplishments.
Perhaps the reason a home cooked meal tastes better than a Deliveroo dispatch is the addition of the flavour of time and effort. Maybe the view from the top of a hill looks better because the eyes have been washed clean with the beads of sweat rolling down the forehead from the climb.
As Jemima comments “the main problem with convenience is that too much of it saps the joy out of life.”
“Life requires time and effort. That is to say, when we eliminate time and effort, we eliminate life’s pleasures. Every so often, experience the flip side of convenience.” Shunmyō Masuno.
“It’s precisely the inconvenient stuff that gives life its meaning and richness.” Jemima Kelly
“Striving for efficiency too much — getting things done, not wasting time — will make people miss the joy of serendipity and deprive them of psychological richness.” Shige Oishi Professor of Psychology at the University of Chicago (From Jemima Kelly’s FT article 1st June 2023)
Sinead Huskisson 