Simplicity, Savings and Self-Sufficiency

Assalamualaikum wbt and peace be upon you,
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I've been researching the way of life of my ancestors, the traditional Malays. I found out that they have managed to find the secret to beautiful living by leading a simple life which is underlined by self-sufficiency and at the same time practice savings as a thoughtful and responsible way to live their lives.
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Traditional Malays lead very simple lives that they almost have no possessions except for the basics. And they are such a pro at self-sufficiency that the concept of market is quite foreign to them, unlike in the Middle Eastern countries where the bazaars have been around for almost a thousand years, we don't inherit this from our ancestors. Maybe the Chinese immigrants as well as other foreign travellers are the ones who introduce this concept to the Malays coz in every malay kampung, it is the Chinese who open up shops. The Malays are so out of contact with consumerism that they don't see the need to open up these shops. Everything that they need will be available at the back of their houses or around their surroundings. (Not to mention their eco-friendly lifestyles!!!!)
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I find this a very very interesting living concept. However, we the modern Malays have mostly lost this beautiful art of living becoz of 500 years of being conquered by the Portuguese, Dutch and British.
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If only I could practice what my ancestors were doing hundreds of years ago, I'd be the richest man in the world with no worries for money and have peace of mind to encounter today's challenging life...but it doesn't hurt to try..coz it's already in my blood.
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Love and peace
Daniel Zaydi