Fun is Allowed on The Compact

When I tell people that we are participating in The Compact this year, I find that they mistake “not buying anything new” with “not spending money” and even equate it with a year of depravation. Both notions are completely false. And we are not trying to destroy the economy by not spending money. Instead, we are trying to live a little more intentionally and joyfully while pulling off the acquisition highway. Acquiring things, maintaining, cleaning, organizing, and storing things are all skills that I am rather proficient at, but they all require time and energy. I am choosing to spend this year focused on the people in my life rather than possessions.

Last week, the kids and I took an impromptu vacation to visit my Grandmother. It is always a delight to see her interact with my children. Even though my Grandmother is slowly succumbing to Alzheimer’s, her nurturing tendency and sense of humor are still intact. We spent each morning singing and playing with her, then we would leave for the afternoon so she could rest, and returned each evening to resume the fun.

In the past, I would spend the afternoons away from my Grandma, tracking down things that were available in the city, that I could not find in our rural community (i.e. Nordstrom’s).  I have noticed that when I am focused on what I don’t have, I am not appreciating all that I do have. Since I am on The Compact and Nordstrom’s wasn’t an option, I focused on what I did have: several hours of free time with my children in the city. We enjoyed leisurely lunches, looking at old buildings, and visiting museums. Ultimately we created memories that will last much longer than any department store blouse.
Rew using a magnifying glass to view butterflies at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.