Levels of Living Redux

Filth, Frugality, Flourishing or Fancy

On which level are your living? I thought more about this and added the best level of all: flourishing, like an awesome garden. Blooming and growing vigorously.

You don't need to or want to live in filth, and you can't afford to live fancy, so better to learn to live in frugality or best of all, live a flourishing life.

Frugal is thrifty, prudent, economical, careful. Not particularly popular way to be a part of the consumer society. When we buy something big, we try to go with something better than the middle, but usually not the top of the line. Flourishing is consciously choosing how to feel, think and be in your world, and being content with your choices.

A flourishing consumer knows that too much stuff becomes clutter and tends to weed out anything gets in the way of the beauty and harmony of the space, similar to a well tended garden.

I've seen people living in filth, it's sad and pathetic. Usually it's because of lack of resources, lack of hope, lack of vision, lack of help. God is good and we are blessed not to have that trial to deal with. We are blessed to have what we need and some of our wants. We don't live in the lap of luxury but we live in more than necessity. Solidly middle. That's a flourishing mind set: what's needed to let the essentials bloom.

I think I read and believed this quote from Benjamin Franklin: "Be studious in your profession, and you will be learned. Be industrious and frugal, and you will be rich. Be sober and temperate, and you will be healthy. Be in general virtuous, and you will be happy. At least you will, by such conduct, stand the best chance for such consequences."

Industrious middle level we are, and that allows us to live in a degree of dignity. Being content in our frugality, that can be hard in a consumer culture, but I strive to be content with what we have and teach my child some form of contentment with the level, and the ability to strive for whatever level they so desire in their lives.

I would presume to embellish on Franklin's thought: Be deliberate and methodical in acquiring knowledge and you will be well-informed about what is important. Be industrious and content with your needs and you will prosper. Be moderate in your appetites and you will be healthy. Be aware of virtues and practice them and you will feel balanced. By such conduct, your life will thrive and make steady progress.