Paris Hilton, if you're out there, I warn you, you aren't going to like this post. Why? Because I have decided that I think a simple life is the key to a fulfilling life. And how did I come to this brilliant revelation? By watching Jadyn Mills this week.

I should comment at this point that I am not claiming The Simple Life is the key to a fulfilling life, but rather a simple life. The difference is this. The Simple Life (now featured on E!) are socialites who come down to the likes of the rest of us for a momentary amount of time in order to be "slumming it." Rather a simple life is a state of being in which we constantly are choosing to live a simpler life than we can, to which the byproduct is more fulfillment due to less possessions to be controlled by. But I digress.

I was sitting with Jadyn this week on the floor and she was playing with these two color toy rings. As I am sitting there I think to myself, "man, it must be nice to be entertained by such a simple thing." And then it hits me, I am thoroughly entertained by just sitting there and watching her - which is arguably simpler than what she is doing. Not only am I thoroughly entertained, I can honestly say there is nothing that I would rather be doing.

I currently live in an apartment that costs $545 a month (which is on average about $150 below other 1-bedroom apartments in my area). I drive a car that has 179,000 miles on it. Over the past five years I have averaged only $145 per year spent on a cloths. Why? Because all of this meets my needs - nothing more, nothing less. And I think I have to say that in the event that I came into a lot of money, I don't think much would change (with the exception of the fact I would buy a condo instead of rent an apartment and I would probably start picking up the bill when going out to eat with friends more). It is often said that people have a tendency to live up to (or beyond) their means. Meaning when we get a raise, we change our lifestyle to reflect what we are paid. But why? Why don't we just figure out what we need and save/donate the rest? Why do we let our possessions and wealth control us? Why is it always about more or bigger or faster?

Most Americans don't understand this. It is why our debt rate is climbing radically, and our savings is decreasing, all to keep up with the Jones'. Sure there are those struggling to get by and this post doesn't really apply to them. But for the rest of us, our lives would be far better if we moved simplicity back into the 9-letter category instead of a 4-letter.