DOWNSIZING

On an online National Public Radio program two folks were interviewed who'd recently had to stop spending so much money. One, who'd always eaten at least once each day in a restaurant, had begun preparing her own meals. The other had given up the car he'd used for going to work, and begun using mass transit.

Though it wasn't the point of the interviews, both downsizers said that at first they'd been depressed about having to give up things they liked, but later they were surprised to find themselves enjoying the changes. It was fun to take control of one's food and to prepare it just the way you like. It was a relief to forget about car maintenance and insurance premiums, plus it was enjoyable to read on the way to and from work.

All this sounds about right to me. For, we've all seen how excess of the kind people in our culture have become accustomed to bloats, weighs down, desensitizes, weakens, disorients, stupefies and makes crazy.

However, most of us also have personally experienced how frugality liberates, sensitizes, awakens, opens eyes, delights and enlightens.

How can this magical effect of frugality be explained?

I think it has something to do with frugality not being the opposite of excess. The opposite of excess is having too little to live a healthy and dignified life. Between poverty and excess, frugality is the golden Middle Path.

And many times here we've reflected on the magical, soul-satisfying qualities of keeping to the Middle Path.