Here we delve into a realm long forgotten by most of us thanks to a crazy world, which places more value on what than who, things than memories, results than processes, and finding pleasure in what we have rather than who we are and what we do.
Barbequia is about finding beauty in simplicity, and experiencing luxury within our financial means. While anyone can experience pleasure and luxury with enough money, it takes a well-grounded, creative person to find pleasure in simple things and experience luxury while being frugal. All of these qualities are positive and will contribute immensely to your spiritual and personal growth regardless of your income level so income is irrelevant in this as well as all aspects of Barbequia. As we implement the concept of enjoying simple pleasures and frugal luxuries, we will quickly realize how our perspective changes with regard to our priorities and what it takes to “make us happy”. We will discover that our happiness has nothing to do with what we have or what we accomplished, and more to do with what we give, what we learn, and how we love. We will discover that pleasure is based on our attitude and that gratitude for simple things brings pleasure from those things, which in turn produces more gratitude. Then this gratitude, being intensified by our pleasure, quickly transforms into the ever-elusive and often-considered urban or religious legend – joy.
We will also discover that once we are able to enjoy simple pleasures and experience frugal luxuries, our ability to responsibly handle wealth will be significantly increased. So, what are these simple pleasures and frugal luxuries? Well, as is usually the case in Barbequia, they will be different for everyone. However, a few examples of our own simple pleasures may help illustrate the point or put it in perspective.
Simple pleasures are making it a party, taking 20 minutes to enjoy a fresh brewed cup of coffee or herbal tea, making breakfast on the grill and eating on the patio; watching our kids play on the beach as we look for sand dollars and shells; taking a walk in the neighborhood and enjoying the variety from yard to yard; spending time with our animal companions and watching them interact and play; feeding the ducks in the park; watching the birds and squirrels eat from the various feeders around the yard; planting flowers and a vegetable garden; mowing the lawn. Before you dismiss mowing the lawn as a simple pleasure, I have to say I hated it because it was something I had to do on my day off. But, when I started seeing the lawn as the living part of Barbequia it is, and appreciated its cosmetic as well as practical contribution, I found myself enjoying it. It wasn’t a chore anymore; it was fun – a simple pleasure that gave visible results as an added reward. The point is we each need to actively search to find the simple things that give us pleasure and make a point to enjoy them as often as possible.
Frugal luxuries are an integral part of simple pleasures, but frugal is a relative term as is luxury. While running water is a part of normal life to us, it is a luxury to literally millions of others we share this planet with. While flying around in his own jet is pretty normal to Donald Trump, it’s a big luxury to most of us. So frugal luxury for purposes of Barbequia are those enjoyed once you establish and reach the lowest comfortable lifestyle – whatever that may be for you as discussed previously. Again for illustrative purposes a few of our own frugal luxuries may help make the point or put it in perspective.
Frugal luxuries are going to a free concert in the park; making a day trip to somewhere new; taking a portable barbeque grill into the woods for a picnic and going on a hike; getting up early to watch the sunrise while enjoying a cup of herbal tea or coffee or staying out later to watch the sunset while enjoying a glass of wine; taking time to take a candle lit bubble bath – even if you have to raid the birthday candles in the kitchen drawer and use the kids Mr. Bubble; dusting off the fondue and actually using it; having fresh cut flowers on the table, and guys listen to me on this one. With the exception of very few months, fresh flowers are available at a reasonable price and if you pick up a small bunch on your way home from wherever it will be the best 5 bucks you spent that week if you happen to be in a relationship of any kind. These are just a sampling of our frugal luxuries, but the important thing is to identify your own and enjoy them as often as possible.