Simplicity,
Not Austerity
“But
living fully doesn't mean having it all, going everywhere, doing
everything, and being all things to all people. Many of us are
beginning to see that too much is too much. Doing too much and having
too much get in the way of being able to enjoy the things we do want
in our lives, and to simply be who we are.”
Elaine
St. James (Inner Simplicity)
I
was looking for a particular book on my shelves this morning and
couldn't find it. I know it's here, but there are too many books
and they aren't in any specific order. Even though I didn't find the
book I wanted, I did find Inner Simplicity, and opened it to
the section titled, “Create simplicity, not austerity.” Time to
address the book collection, and keep only the books that truly mean
something to me.
I
find myself doing this in my everyday life as well. For most of us,
there are too many competing demands. My church alone could keep me
hopping seven days a week if I let it. Work is physically demanding,
and I try to make time for exercise every day. By evening, I'm tired
and want to sit down and chill. So, I'm trying not to make
commitments on weeknights—and that includes church. I know...it
goes against the grain to say “No” to long time friends and
places of worship, but sometimes less truly is more.
Too
often what happens when we over commit is that we begin to resent the
demands. We feel over-burdened, and exhausted. We're more likely to
burn out, withdraw emotionally, and then heap guilt on our own heads
for being disloyal. I'm speaking for myself, of course, and from
experience, but I suspect I'm in pretty good company.
Another
negative outcome of this business of saying “Yes” to too many
things, and too many people, is that we end up having no time for
creativity. By the time we complete all our “have-to's” there's
nothing left for our “want-to's.” Activities that actually
rejuvenate us fall by the way-side for lack of time and energy. That
affects our well-being and overall health.
Being
aware of how we divide ourselves between giving out and taking in
gets more important as we age. I do, however, know a lot of worn-out
young people. They think, “I'm young! I should be able to burn the
candle at both ends and not even notice!” But, they're also human,
and humans of any age, even children, need down time. They need rest,
and time to create from within. Young folks bounce back more quickly
than we oldies, but the effects of full-throttle living are
cumulative. Sooner or later, they, too, crash and burn.
Simplifying
our lives means living smarter. It does not mean living less. When we
aren't exhausted, we're able to take more in and truly enjoy the
activities and people that mean most to us. Here's our thought for
the day: “Today, I will not over commit. I will keep what I love,
and bless the rest.”
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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