More and more, people feel that they are working too much, consuming too much, and rushing too much. There is no time for friends and family, no time for community and creativity, no time for a sense of connectedness with the rest of life.

The Simplicity movement is a response to this dilemma. It is about living consciously in order to live more fully, thinking through the effects of our behaviors in terms of the consequences for the well-being of people and the planet. It’s about asking what’s important, what matters. It’s about redefining the “good life.”

The concept of Simplicity is not, as some might think, a life of "self deprivation." It is a turning away from activities that have failed to deliver satisfaction- activities such as shopping and scrambling up the career ladder - in order to embrace activities that bring true joy and meaning - creativity, community, and the celebration of daily life.

Simplicity is "the examined life" in which we explore not only what creates fulfillment in our personal lives, but we ask which public policies create societies of justice and environmental well-being. Simplicity touches all aspects of our lives, including the issues of time, work, vocation, community, spending, consuming, health, social justice, and spirituality.

People today often experience their lives as lacking vitality or purpose and are looking for the experience of aliveness and depth. Too often people’s spirit has been broken; their uniqueness suppressed. By reflecting on their own lives, people can discover their own particular “passion,” something they love to do, and something that brings them a sense of direction, a sense of joy and fulfillment, and maybe something from which they can earn money.

A basic human need is the experience of community - feeling valued, accepted, cared for and recognized for your true self. Without joyful, exuberant conversation we feel isolated and depressed and pursue the empty paths of shopping and watching television. When you learn to care for those around you, you start to care for all of life.

Thoreau said that “We are schoolmasters and the Universe is our School House.” At heart, we are all teachers - born to encourage, guide, and inspire others. But we aren’t conventional teachers. We’re barefoot teachers - just as China transformed its health care by training thousands in the basics of medicine, so we must inspire thousands to be barefoot teachers, people who inspire others to understand that they are a part of a connected universe. Through telling stories, asking questions, listening, and creating conviviality, barefoot teachers inspire others to become involved in saving the Earth and her people.

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