As I write this, we are getting ready to go camping in our ancient, 33-year-old RV — we don’t go far with this gas guzzler! Our only car is a 23-year-old pick up, which is not a gas guzzler. Some folks would be embarrassed to drive such elderly vehicles. We don’t mind. It’s part of our contribution to voluntary simplicity.

The emphasis is on “voluntary.” I have relatives who proudly state they want the “newest, latest, fastest and greatest” of everything that they can afford, just because they can. That is a value, of course, and one which stores, manufacturers and marketing executives are all reinforcing at every turn in our culture. We have the option to examine and choose our values, and to happily choose values that are not the norm.

But it’s good to think about it and to actually make a choice for yourself.

It’s so easy to follow the crowd. We are trained from toddlers to be consumers and to always want more than what we have or need, to make ourselves happy. I honestly can say I have never been unhappy to have my trusty old pickup instead of a newer or bigger one. When there is a hybrid or electric pickup that gets great mileage, I might start to save my pennies for that. This one gets us where we need to go and has character. That’s all I need.

I recall days of my life when I would go shopping out of boredom. I also remember going shopping because I was lonely or hurt, and I thought a new toy of some sort would make me feel better. Isn’t that what our parents did when they wanted to cheer us up? It took me awhile to learn it really didn’t work.

But that is not the reason I choose to live as simply as possible at this stage in my life. I choose to live as I do because I have different values. I have chosen to value Earth, friends and relationships, wildlife and pets, and hard, productive and important life-work. Simplicity works best when it is chosen ­— when it is voluntary — because it is what supports your values.

One of our values at Stillwaters involves creating less stuff. We try to use as much as we can that is discarded by others, sometimes using things in creative new ways. Our annual used book sale is a big fundraiser for us, to be sure. More importantly, it encourages the re-use of one great commodity in our society, books.

We’re big readers here and love our gigantic sale; how fun it is to live and work inside a huge book store for a whole month. If you love books, come share the joy — every weekend from Sept. 3 to Oct. 3.