Lexy, I can’t fathom what can happen in six years, really. It’s been about that many months and I feel like it’s been ages. You’re right, it’s a truly amazing thing to open up or simply correct one’s perspective. Peeling away the bogus layers is so liberating. I’m reading this book right now and a quote that caught my eye is, “Chip the paint of a liberalist and you will find an alienated fundamentalist.”

I can’t say I’m familiar with the Mennonites’ movement you speak of, though I’m definitely going to do some research (or a simple Google–pick one) on it, now. I remember people have coined the day after T-day “buy nothing day” as a rebellion of the “shoppingest” day of the year. I think there is unlimited potential in the idea of life’s simplicity. Once you’re caught up in the rat race, who is to say that you will ever be satisfied? The thing is–you’re not. Thanks for your thoughts, lexy.

Your discussion about remembering the philosophy behind giving and receiving reminds me of the Mennonites’ Buy Nothing Christmas… are you familiar with that movement?