Diamond-Cut Life

I had this great plan. So many things start out that way (is it like this for you, too?). I see in hindsight that my plan did not take the 80-20 rule of resources into account. It’s a spin-off of Pareto’s Principle (Pareto being an Italian economist).

To get myself to go running more during my lunch hour at work, I would keep a whole separate set of running shoes and clothes in a bag in my office cubicle. I’ve always resisted having a double set of gear because it seems extravagant, both dollar-wise and resources-wise. But with all the other things I tote to Salem, the gym bag wasn’t making it down, and I wasn’t getting enough exercise.

So the plan was that my gym bag would stay at work and not go home except at the end of the week. My existing running gear would stay at home for use on the days I telework. Two sets of separate but equal running gear: one for home and one for work! I would run more!

Thor, who religiously works out five days a week, was supportive of the plan. We went to Portland Running Company and invested in new everything for me: running shoes, socks, tights, coral-colored shirt and sky-blue jacket. I wore the whole outfit out of the store, it was so spiffy and cool. All of this was two months ago.

And what has happened? The new shoes are so nice and springy I refuse to wear the old, flattened ones now except for gardening. The new running shirt and jacket are so pretty and well-fitted I’ve never again reached for the old ones. Sure, the bag of new things comes to work with me sometimes – but I don’t leave it there because I want it for running at home on Mount Tabor, too. I’m back where I started.

The plan for two sets of separate but equal running gear has failed miserably. It’s because of the 80-20 rule of resources: 80% of the time we’re using just 20% of the resources — the best, most desirable ones. What are the implications of this? Much of the other 80% of our resources go unused and get wasted to varying degrees. The diamond-cut life is about making excellent use of the 20% and letting go of the other 80%, since it would take four planet earths to support the way we’re consuming here in the U.S.

I buy most of my clothes at Goodwill, running shoes and clothes being exceptions.  I do have to admit, though, that the 80% of my clothes I rarely wear are hard for me to give up. Pareto’s Principle and the 80-20 rule of resources are humbling things.

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