One of the most thought-provoking books I have ever read is Barry Schwartz’s “The Paradox of Choice”. The impact I felt was reinforced through attending Dr. Schwartz’s talks, hearing him at various settings (on TED for example, linked below) and reading his articles and interviews.
In a nutshell: We are no longer Empowered by the myriad of choices offered to us through the competitive global economy,… For the sake of Sanity, we need to check into what Truly Matters to us, Lower our expectations, and be able to Think and differentiate between what society/the Official Dogma throws at us vs what those choices do for us.
This is what the man has to say, check it out:
For years I have been diligently providing myself lists and bits that relate to my Needs, Wants, Cravings and Such. This method has helped me, to question the Realities of my life, Learn from my Perceptions of those “realities” and Make revisions about the importance of things in my life. We all do that, in our own ways, I can imagine. However, my path has been consistently towards Simplification. In physical terms as well as cognitive emotional realms.
What I truly do not Need in my core; the items whose patterns I have confirmed – I put aside. I don’t lose them. I simply acknowledge them for what they Once were. My way of checking the value of those ‘things” is most often linked to the “Intensions” in those involvements. Very Zen, very simple. However, in order to accomplish this simplification, I find, much genuine introspection is required to practice of the knowledge. Someone once said: Honest communication of thoughts and feelings with loved ones takes Guts. I add to it: Being Honest with oneself takes massive Balls. Checking Intensions (Karma) is one way to go about it properly. You may have other suggestions. Please share.
A friend asked me to help her decide what to take on a long trip overseas. She was already decided on taking the most important items in one suitcase. I stayed with her while she did just that. Not only I was there out of my care and respect for her quest; but also to be better in touch with the simplification process, in progress. It was/has been a profound experience, on many levels.
Also, let me know what The Paradox of Choice, evokes in you. Past the dilemma supermarket choices bring. I take that back – Any honest dilemma is worth discussing and learning from. Cereals, gadgets, partners,… share if you like.
