The Real Power of One
We’ve talked about just one when it comes to things, but looking at the bigger picture, one has more power than you might think.
I’ve begun to notice how one is not only enough, but in many circumstances, much more than that.
In the past week, this lesson has been abundantly clear in the following ways.
Dining Out
Mark and I used to go out for multi course dinners at very nice restaurants. The restaurant would change, and our conversations were different, but we always spent too much and ate too much. We were grateful for the time together, but would feel sluggish the next day, in our wallets and our bellies.
Yesterday, we split one $5.00 meal at the farmer’s market, talked about everything, and listened to great music. We both agreed it was one of our most romantic dates.
Dining In
Last year, we had an upside down tomato plant that would not stop producing tomatoes. Of course, I wanted to replicate the bounty this year, and used the same upside down system with a different plant. The plant grew and grew and grew. Flowers came and went. Finally, a tiny tomato appeared. I was convinced that more were to come.
Last week I picked the only tomato that this plant produced. I was grumbly, and again disappointed that the plant didn’t give me more. I spent so much time watering it and taking care, that I thought I deserved more.
I brought the sad, little tomato in, secretly smiling about its black and purple heirloom colors. I sliced it and topped it with crisp cucumbers. The flavor of this tomato ruined me for grocery store tomatoes forever. I realized that this plant, that I thought had let me down, poured all of it’s energy and goodness into one tiny tomato, instead of sharing it with several. Again, I was overwhelmed by one.
Star Gazing
Last year, I stayed up really late to watch a meteor shower. I anticipated seeing hundreds of shooting stars showering down. When I only saw 5 or 6, I was disappointed.
Saturday night, I was looking out my bedroom window, soaking in the view of the mountains and the clear sky after a thunderstorm. The sky was a true midnight blue and the stars were sparkly. Just when I thought the view couldn’t get any better, a single star shot across my tiny view of the sky. I was overwhelmed by one.
When we receive one unexpected delight, we marvel. When we have more of the same, it becomes commonplace.
How to make a deliberate effort to enjoy just one.
- Instead of a closet full of coats, use just one.
- Instead of big piece of cake, take just one bite.
- Instead of reading several books at a time, immerse yourself in one.
- Instead of decluttering your whole house, empty one drawer.
A simple shift in perspective or attitude brings great power to one, instead of disappointment. Enjoying less or “just one” can be transformative. You will realize the power you have to shift from not enough to just right, regardless of how much you have.
When has just one been powerful in your life?
Reading Recommendations
- Of This Earth Free ebook
- Quest for a New Perspective Blog
- The Power of Less Book
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Great post, and kinda fitting for me since my mother’s been bugging me a bit lately for owning just one pair of pants. She can’t understand how that’s practical. But I made the decision to make travel and mobility a priority, and that means owning less clothes.
Plus, I literally tried on about 20 pairs of jeans before settling on the pair I have now. I’m really happy with them, which is good since I have to wear them every day
One great pair of jeans definitely beats four or five mediocre pairs!
Niall, I only have one pair of jeans too (+ a skirts and pair of capris). When I used to own several pair of jeans, I only wore the same pair every time anyway.
For me, I find this with my kids. Having two youngins (3 & 15months) is a handful to say the least. When things get rough, which they inevitably do, all it takes is one unexpected hug or kiss. And all the “bad” stuff they did trickles away. I think the benefit to having just one is that there is nothing to compare it to. We are so good at naturally just comparing things, so when there’ just one, we don’t have that opportunity–forcing us to find value in all that it has because there is nothing better and nothing worse. We just have that one thing.
So true. Comparing is highly overrated anyway!
“We are so good at naturally just comparing things, so when there’s just one, we don’t have that opportunity–forcing us to find value in all that it has because there is nothing better and nothing worse. We just have that one thing.”
Wow, that is so simple but so profound. It really has me thinking. Just takes the duality right out of everything. Thank you so much for sharing that — I think I’ll be thinking about it all day!
Such fabulous perspective.
We have started ordering just one meal when we are out too. Did it just yesterday on our way to see Mauna Kea (14,000 feet mountain on the Big Island). We were once again plenty full and enjoyed one of the most beautiful views on way less than we would have just a year ago. Somehow there was an overwhelming feeling of just the perfect amount.
Love the power of one!
Jt, Don’t you find that simplifying your life gave you the ability to actually see and appreciate the perfect amount? When I was overwhelmed with debt and stuff, I didn’t have the time or focus to see what really mattered.
i so agree! i saw Midnight in Paris the other night. it was such a treasure. haven’t gotten out much being a single mom, but my daughter went to the cabin with my parents
i seem to have so many “i need to do this and that” in my head yet when i start with one thing i feel great! thanks for another thoughtful, wonderful-to-read post!
Marina, Congrats on focusing on one-at-a-time and really appreciating simple opportunities, like getting out to the movies.
I have found, that as much as I love coffee, if I brew and drink it everyday, it loses it wonder. I find that if I only have it 2 or 3 days a week, I still enjoy the flavor, the aroma.
We have also begun a 15 day juice, veggies and fruit diet. We find that we taste foods differently, enjoying the flavors. Our diet has been so laden with processed foods that pulling it all from our diet has made us truly appreciate the juiciness of a fresh cherry, the freshness of a crunchy green salad.
Bernice
Is your busyness covering up pain?
This is a good lesson for me. I struggle to stop at one cookie, one treat, or one scoop of ice cream. When making purchases, I almost always purchase an extra one – you know, for just in case. One would probably be enough. And I probably would savour it more. Thank you.
Such a relevant post. Too often we want more and more when we really should simply step back and enjoy each thing we already have.
Thanks for recommending my site, Courtney! I really appreciate it!
Just a wonderful post!! You have helped me see life in such a new light. Thank you, Thank you!!
This is so true. I have about 4 pairs of running shoes…on accident (just recently, too). I just bought some new ones that are actually made for running and my feet (spent alot of money), but my mother gave me a pair of hers, as well. Now, I have 4 and they are taking up alot of room in my closet. But I’m not getting rid of them just yet, because I do plan on doing this thing called Hash where you will need shoes that you can throw away. So, I have backups.
But I see this post in a different perspective. I’m just recently divorced and I see the power in one (me). Alot of people, including my mother made sure that I was ok to be alone before I signed the papers. Naturally, they say AlONE like it’s a disease. I said yes. I am okay, better than okay. I left a miserable and very lonely marriage and controlling husband. And for the first time, I got to pick out my shower curtain and my furniture and plates without worrying what my husband would say. It was very empowering.
I also am a runner. Through my divorce, I lost alot of friends, many who were my running partners. Now, I run alone alot and I feel that it is taking my running to the next level. I’m not worrying about others or myself and how I relate to others. I’m working on my stride. I’m confident. And when I get those hard to ignore thoughts, such as “it’s okay to walk,” I keep on running until my pre-arranged goal is reached. In that, being alone, being one is making me a stronger runner.
So true! Thanks for remidning me of this wonderful principle!
“When we have more of the same, it becomes commonplace.”
My DH and I often talk about how excited we would be to watch various shows on TV when we were kids and we realized it was because there would be only one show every day that we wanted to watch and if we missed it we wouldn’t be able to see it again. Unlike today where we’ve cable TV that gives us choice to watch several shows in a day and there are re-runs if we missed anything. They just don’t give that joy and entertainment. It’s more a commodity now.
The same rule applies to almost everything in life.
I love this post! The part about the single tomato will stick with me a long time, it was such a great example
Hi Courtney,
Just one is a great concept, and I thought about having less as I let go of more clothes when I cleaned out my closet the other day. We have so much that we don’t appreciate. As you say less is more.
I like this Courtney. The persepective of witnessing just one marvel, one wonder, one nugget of life, is the starting point for more joy and contentment to flood our lives. I like it, I’m gonna do it starting to today, and I’m one inspired guy. Bliss you Courtney for a simple but masterful observation.
The just one who has been most powerful in my life is my husband. He is my only boyfriend, my only love. People tell me that I’m lucky to have found my “one” so early in life. I have known him since kindergarten; we began dating as sophomores in high school and we have been together ever since. Some people assume that starting out young makes things easy, that always having someone makes things easy. It does make the rough times easier because I know I can depend on him. However, we have been together for twenty years now. We have grown up together and neither of us is the same person we once were. We have faced enormous challenges and changes together. I wouldn’t have done it with anyone else. Now, we have begun a new journey together, a journey towards less. We spent irresponsibly in our twenties and were both collectors of stuff. Our home has always been well-organized, neat and tidy. (I am the child of a hoarder and can’t abide visible clutter, trash, or dirt.) In the past several years, we have felt weighed down by our stuff and our debt. We don’t fight over it; we never have. Yet, we were discontent and unable to do what we love most-travel. Now, we are making a change for the better. It’s a comfort to know that my favorite “one” is here to help me and that my love life is something I don’t have to simplify!
Thanks for great post – and so true! It’s an inspiration and wakeup call for all. We never realize how we horde and add on not realizing the power and beauty of one.
Hi, forgive me for commenting on an old post but I’ve only just found your site and I’m wandering through the archives ina somewhat random fashion!
I so get the shooting star thing…I once travelled out to a dark hill to watch a meteor shower at midnight and was disappointed I didn’t see very many. On another night I decided to sit in the garden very late with a coffee (just because a nighttime garden is like another world!) and just as I looked up towards Orion an incredibly bright shooting star shot past and I was so excited! Weird how when we set up our expectations we can become disappointed but when things just happen they are awesome…go figure
PS: absolutely love this blog!
This was so beautiful. I’ve read most of your posts and this is definitely one of my favourites. Beautiful!