Less is More: Simplicity, Happiness, and the Planet in Troubled Time

Less is More: Simplicity, Happiness, and the Planet in Troubled Time
Course ID: SUST-305 ( 1 day )
December 3, 2009, 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M.
NWETC Headquarters
650 South Orcas Street, Suite 220
Seattle, WA 98108

Instructor: Cecile Andrews, Author of "Less is More"

This class has been postponed. The new dates will be up soon. In the mean time if you are interested in this class please feel free to e-mail cputera@nwetc.org

Register Online | Directions | Accommodations | Course Catalog | Course Brochure (PDF)

Description: People are afraid and anxious. We’re destroying the planet, undermining happiness, and clinging to an unsustainable economy. Our obsessive pursuit of wealth isn’t working.

But there’s another way. Less can be More. Throughout history wise people have argued that we need to live more simply—that only by limiting outer wealth can we have inner wealth.

When we have too much, we savor nothing. When we choose less, we regain our life and can think and feel deeply. Ultimately, a life of less connects us with one true source of happiness: being part of a caring community. This course shows how to turn individual change into a movement that leads to policy changes in government and corporate behavior, work hours, the wealth gap, and sustainability. It will appeal to those who want to take back their lives, their planet, and their well-being.

Course Topics:

#1: Lives of Perpetual Stress
During the last several years, we've heard reports of happiness declining and anxiety/ depression increasing. In this segment we identify sources of this malaise, and begin to consider solutions.

#2 Slower
Much of our stress comes from our frantic, frenetic pace. How can we learn to live in a way that allows us to savor our daily lives, take time for the things that matter, and relearn how to feel and think deeply. In this segment, we will also examine the impact our high speed, hyper-link technology has had on our pace of life and on our ability to stay focused, as well as patient with ourselves and others.

#3 Simpler
Much of our stress comes from too much stuff, both physical and mental. How do we strip away the inessential so that we have time for the essential? How do we learn that less can be more?

#4 Smaller
How do we begin to take small steps to lasting happiness while reducing our ecological footprint?

About the Instructors:
Cecile Andrews is the author of Less is More, Slow is Beautiful, and Circle of Simplicity. She is a founder of Take Back Your Time, Sustainable Phinney (a neighborhood effort for sustainability and community), and the Simplicity Circles Project. She has her doctorate in education from Stanford University.

After attending this class students will be able to:
Live in ways that bring greater fulflillment and happiness as well as reduce their carbon footprint

This class is intended for: Professionals and all those interested in seeing the beauty in a simple life.

Course Materials: Participants will receive course proceedings, and reference materials.

Continuing Education Units: 0.7

What to Bring: Pen or pencil, coffee mug, and a water bottle (to reduce waste). There are numerous restaurants within walking distance. Drinks and snacks will be provided each day.

Registration: $149/$95*
*Reduced tuition is available for Native American tribes; government employees; nonprofits; students; and NAEP, NEBC, NWAEP members. You may register via the link below or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at 206-762-1976.

Cancellation Policy: Registration fees are fully refundable up to 30 days prior to the event and 50 percent refundable (or 100% credit) thereafter up to 3 business days prior to the event. No refunds are issued for cancellations occurring less than 3 business days before the start day. Course registration fees and cancellation policy are subject to change without notice.

Disability Accommodations: To request disability accommodations, please contact us at info@nwetc.org or (206) 762-1976 at least 30 days prior to the event.