MinimalistPath

Back in the post 15 Ways to Become a Minimalist in 2010, from January, I mentioned I was going to discuss a topic as the title Pray LESS & Do MORE entails. This may end up being the most controversial article at The Minimalist Path, but please do read through the entire article with an open mind. Before jumping to crucify me, I, by no means, am saying that you should give up your religious or spiritual practices altogether. This article is not a religious bashing one. I simply want to help you improve your productivity.

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Now, enjoy the article below….

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Until the age of 18, I strongly followed the Catholic faith while obtaining my kindergarten through twelfth grade education at private Catholic schools. Throughout this time, I learned life skills that I still apply today. With those skills, I learned that if anything was wrong, I could turn to the heavens and ask God for help.  This habit hindered my growth and development. It wasn’t until I minimalized my prayer and took action towards life solutions that I began to see more progress at accomplishing my goals.

I have been an atheist for 8 years. For me, doing this allowed for focus towards accomplishments to grow. By PRAYING LESS, I started to realize I could and should DO MORE. My religious up-bringing was helpful in that it generated positive relationships and understanding. However, the prayer always seemed to be my way of establishing an excuse and blaming another. Whenever something wrong occurred to me, I would pray to the heavens and hope that my wishes would come true. Often, I relied on this god to “answer my prayers” and they ended up not coming true. By no fault to any god, man or woman was this, but my own. I was the reason my accomplishments were not as I dreamed. My actions or lack thereof generated what ended up being predictable results.

When those entering the world of minimalism think of becoming a minimalist, much of the focus is on the physical things in life. What we, as minimalists or those just looking to simplify the chaos of our lives, must understand is that our thoughts, manners, beliefs, and actions can also be simplified. If we take more accountability for our success or failure and not rely on others as much, we can minimalize unproductive time and maximize all actions.

This article is not meant to down religious beliefs. It is to point out that despite all of our hopes and dreams, there is no one but the person in the mirror that will light the fire of progress or, in this case, productivity. It is up to you and I to make success a reality. The longer we wait for our prayers to be answered, the likelier it is they won’t.

Please do share your thoughts in the comments section…

My apologies for going over 400 words….

David Damron
The Minimalist Path

I am no expert at food and nutrition, but I have been able to control my weight, health, and fitness through a minimalist diet. I preach it’s usefulness because it works.

Currently, I am not loyally following this typeof diet. I should be, but I am just being hypocritical instead (Maybe, this will kick me back into it).

I love the minimalist diet for multiple reasons, but mainly the following…

• It’s cheap
• It’s healthy
• It’s reasonable

My minimalist diet may not follow the strict outline of those like Karol Gajda and Leo Babauta, but it does the trick. By now, you are probably wondering what types of meals and foods are involved in such a diet. Well, it can vary greatly, but I can share with you some of what my minimalist diet entails…

• Lot’s of fruits and veggies
• Black Beans
• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
• Brown Rice
  
• Usually limited to 3-5 items

Through a minimalist diet, I was able to go from a fit but bulky 205 lbs. to 182 lbs. of lean muscle. I was able to get down to under 5% body fat just by eliminating most refined sugars, fast food, and working out a lot. This is obviously just my case, but I know this works because I have been on and off it multiple times with the same results.

Keys to a Minimalist Diet:

• Limit items of meal to 5
• Use only items which has ingredients you know
• Use items that are all natural
• Drinks lots of water and tea
• Eat 5 small meals a day
  

My advice to those of you looking for a new fad diet, STOP! You should think about a minimalist diet that focuses on healthy foods that are often not processed and implement fitness. This isn’t some brand spanking new diet. It’s just how most humans have been living for centuries. I consider it a minimalist diet because it uses the principles of minimalism. You can call it whatever you want. With any name, it all boils down to being a simple, easy and practical diet that all of us should follow more often.

David Damron
The Minimalist Path