“Life is not a matter of chance… it is a matter of choice.” ― Ka
24 hours. Every day we get them. And every day we use them. Sometimes we use them wisely: creating, exercising, resting, cooking, eating. Other times, the hours are wasted: mindless Internet surfing, watching too much television, worrying, or oversleeping. But every single day, the hours are always used. This is the very nature of time. There is not “more” use of time, only “better.”
This is also the very nature of money. Our finances are always used somewhere. They may be directed towards the house payment, the grocery bill, the student loan, the savings account, or others, but our money is always spent somewhere. There is not “more” use of money, only “better.”
I have found the principle of “not more, but better” holds true for many of our most important resources: money, time, energy, focus, mental capacity, relationships. Understanding this truth and embracing it becomes an important principle in living a thoughtful and intentional life. Life is, after all, the sum of our choices. And often times, the choice isn’t more, but better.
Recognizing that positive change is not a matter of choosing more, but choosing better is a powerful motivator. There is freedom to be found in it. It can be a freeing and inspiring shift in our thinking. Consider these practical examples:
Time
I used to think I didn’t have enough time to exercise. But when I made an intentional commitment to begin exercising regularly, the use of my time began to change. There were not extra hours in the day, only a change in how I used them. As a result, I began to spend less time watching television. Exercise was not a use of more time, it was a better use of my existing time.
Money
Similarly with money, I used to think there was never enough. But as we began our journey towards minimalism, we soon discovered we had more money available than ever before. Not because we were making more, but because we were spending less at the shopping mall. Suddenly, we were able to redirect more finances towards saving, giving, and creating memorable experiences for our family. We did not spend more of our money, we spent it better.
Food
As positive changes began taking place in my home and life, I felt drawn to eat better. As a result, I began learning how to cook and enjoy healthier foods and meals. Junk food was being replaced with fruits and vegetables and chicken and fish. I didn’t add food to my diet, I changed the food in my diet. Not more, better.
Focus
Often times, one of the greatest changes we can embrace in our lives is learning where to place our focus. When I began to intentionally choose to meditate on the positives in my life rather than the negatives, I opened my heart to gratitude, contentment, and joy. This was not a result of more focus, but better focus.
Relationships
Whether we choose to spend our time with ourselves, positive influences, or negative influences, our relationships are always directed somewhere. These voices we allow into our lives impact us greatly. When I work to choose positive relationships that inspire me to contribute value to this world, it naturally changes who I spend my time with. Again, not more relationships, better relationships.
There are, of course, some elements of life that are not finite. Our capacity for love, hope, and joy will always grow as we discover more and more places to find them. But often times, this growth is not a result of choosing “more” for our lives, but choosing “better.”
Luzia Light says
Awesome post! A very profound truth!
Thanks for the inspiration.
K.Wesselink says
I am going to print this on my toiletdoor: quality over quantity
I have red this blog for 6 month, and there has changed so much in my house, mind, live. It gives my family much peace.
Thank you, and please continue.
Terry Hadaway says
These are great thoughts and something from which we all can benefit. As I’ve incorporated minimalism into my writing, I’ve discovered I am more creative and efficient. I don’t have a lot of distractions to take my mind off of my work. I can focus on those writers I am coaching through the creative process. I have more time to be me because I have given up on trying to duplicate what others are doing.
Brooke McAlary says
Yes! This is something I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about recently. Better, not more. In almost every aspect of life. Can you imagine the world we could live in if we all adopted this mindset?
LaTonya Wilkins says
Good read. These points not only apply to personal aspirations but also to running a business. For example, having more customers is not always better than having a few good customers. Focus on quality relationships and the positive.
I couldn’t agree more with time! Exercise is the first thing we tend to cut out of our schedules. It is my brain food and adds many more hours back into my week. In fact, physical activity makes me more creative.
Muhamad says
100% agree with your statement , having more customers in your business is not always better than having a few good customer.
less is more!
tVM says
I addressed this concept in September 2012. In that post, I included a short poem by Peter Maurin that he wrote in 1949:
“The world would be better off
if people tried
to become better,
“And people would
become better
if they stopped trying
to be better off.
“For when everyone tries
to become better off
nobody is better off.
“But when everyone tries
to become better
everyone is better off.
“Everybody would be rich
if nobody tried
to become richer.
“And nobody would be poor
if everybody tried
to be the poorest
“And everybody would be
what he ought to be
if everybody tried to be
what he wants
the other fellow to be.”
Brown Vagabonder says
Lovely poem! Thank you so much for sharing.
Sam Desai says
thanks for sharing this poem. The words make so much sense.
Brian Carr says
Great post! I agree with you on all of these points, especially with regards to food. Once I made the conscious decision to eat healthier, I felt like I had more energy to exercise, go do things with friends and family… basically get off my rear and away from the TV. Additionally, I felt my mood improve with got me away from the self-destructive thinking of more is better.
Bethany@OurSoCalledLife says
This is really the essence of minimalism and intentional living. It’s all about quality over quantity. It might start with possessions, but it spills over into every aspect of life. Better use of time–including better use of online time, not just less–better use of money, better relationships…It really flies in the face of the modern culture of “more.”
everlearning says
Every single day I find this more and more true! It’s not just possessions, but every part of our lives. And for me, I’ve often found it’s more about the emotional, the spiritual, and the relationships than the material things, although that’s very important as well. It’s all connected. I am forever grateful to the friend who showed me this website!
Ann says
Funny this should come across my desk. We were just talking about this yesterday. I agree. Not more, but better.
Brown Vagabonder says
I find the concept of ‘not more, but better’ applies to exercise really well. I used to go to yoga 5-6 times a week, not giving my body time to rest or rejuvenate. I kept on getting sick, and this caused me to push myself even more. Now, I go to yoga 2-3 times a week, but I am more mindful when I go. I take care to keep my body in balance, I do not push myself harder than I need to and I go as deep as I can in each pose. I have found this has helped me make the experience richer and better for my body. Thank you for the post.
everlearning says
I have had the same experience with exercise. I love to walk, I love to run. I know that exercise is good for me, but I have often made the mistake of not understanding my limits. I have, at times, run several miles several days in a row because at the time it feels so good. But then I couldn’t seem to understand why I was getting run down or sick. I mistakenly thought more exercise would give me more energy and keep me from getting sick, so I would do more (and of course I know people who do run every day, so I thought I was doing the right thing). I, too, have finally learned what works for my body, and in my case, more is not the answer. Balance and understanding my limitations is the answer.
Brown Vagabonder says
That is the thing with us humans – we do not understand that we are not built from the same mould as everyone else. We all have flesh and blood, but we are different in so many ways. One way of exercising for one person is not the way for another. And this can apply to anything, like eating, shopping, sleeping, relationships, etc.
I still have a hard time realizing that fact. Thanks for your comment.
The Crunchy Mama says
Yes! Same for me. Mark Sisson’s (of The Primal Blueprint) exercise philosophy has been so good for me. http://www.marksdailyapple.com/action-item-4-exercise-primally-move-lift-and-sprint/#axzz2JNtxCJyV