Can you keep going? Because if you met me I am sure you would ask; "How do you live like that?"
I come from a middle-class SEA family, where education and frugality are bolted into our DNA, even when we can afford nice things. So it’s a bit easier for me.
However, I see my left-brained Western friends struggle with this quite a lot. Many self-diagnose as having ADHD, need therapy, and can’t seem to win the fight against all the nonsense large corporations throw at us. So I understand that it’s probably difficult.
Every one under heaven says that our Way is greatly like folly. But it is just because it is great, that it seems like folly. As for things that do not seem like folly — well, there can be no question about their smallness! Here are my three treasures. Guard and keep them! The first is pity; the second, frugality; the third, refusal to be 'foremost of all things under heaven'. For only he that pities is truly able to be brave; Only he that is frugal is able to be profuse. Only he that refuses to be foremost of all things Is truly able to become chief of all Ministers.
At present your bravery is not based on pity, nor your profusion on frugality, nor your vanguard on your rear; and this is death. But pity cannot fight without conquering or guard without saving. Heaven arms with pity those whom it would not see destroyed.
(please and thanks)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Treasures_(Taoism)#Tao_T...