My friend Traci sent me a little hanging sign a few months ago that says, “Simplify”.
I love it of course, because it is a visual reminder of something I am trying to achieve in m life. And since we are starting a series of articles and events at T2CHK regarding Simple Living, I have been thinking very seriously in that direction for weeks.
Simple Living seems to have as many layers as an onion. I peel back one layer of questions and thoughts and reveal yet another aspect of what it means to live simply. Some layers are stuck so closely together that it is nearly impossible to get them separated enough to examine them individually.
So as I peeled and dug and thought about what it means to live simply, I was struck with the realization that the beginning of simplicity is a right relationship with God. If we are living in a right relationship with Him, we will be living in right relationship with other people. And if those two areas are in harmony, we will not think too highly of ourselves. This is peace!
I believe that a peaceful life equals a simple life. And we cannot know peace until we are in a right relationship with God. That right relationship fills up the empty places in our souls that we try to fill with things, activities and unhealthy relationships with other people.
While we are searching for something to fill and fulfill our empty places, we can fall into the trap of materialism. Materialism is anti-simplicity in my view. However, materialism isn’t the only danger in cultivating simplicity. If one were to worship their lack of material things, and thereby fall out of a right relationship with God, that too would be anti-simplicity.
In the quest for simplicity, the ridding ourselves of material things and meaningless activities is only a means to achieve space and quiet so that we can focus on God. It is an attempt to empty up our lives so that we can hear Him and allow Him to fill us with Himself. I think that is true simplicity.
You said that all so well, Sylvia. Amen.
Love, Wardeh
Very well spoken. By the way, I have that same sign in my kitchen. It is a good reminder to me every day.
Susan
Very true, my dear. You are very wise. I have been thinking about “What is simple living” myself lately. It means so many different things to oh-so-many different people. And different things to those same people at different times in their lives. My idea of Simple Living is certainly changing. If I’m worn down with doing all sorts of “simple” things and not having a pleasing attitude towards whatever/whomever, it’s not worth it. I’ve found a few things that I LOVE to do and I will enjoy doing those things with a cheerful and greatful heart.
To our simpleness!
Hugs, Robin