7 Things No One Tells You About Being Homeless - Cracked.com

[Shankapotomus]

54. Of course, I didn't mean to imply

that we apply an older living model to today's legal and environmental parameters. Obviously, you have to abide by all laws (well, most of them) if you don't want to run into constant trouble and take into account the present environment. And that means not sticking around in one place longer than allowed and being more nomadic. Also relearning how to look less to consumer-centric solutions and remastering looking to the earth's abundance for our comforts. I'm sure you know, put someone skilled in survival into our present environment and they will pull a lot more comforts and even luxuries out of it than someone without such skills.

I think there is luxury at every level of life. It's just a matter of tapping into it. I think the Japanese design school of wabi sabi is one expression of this approach. Or, in other words, Keep It Simple Stupid. Don't bother with soda when all you need is water. I think homelessness crosses the line into poverty when it tries to acquire more than it can or really needs... Having all this material stuff may seem more comforting to us (when we are not scrambling to keep it) but I'm not sure it's natural.