Simplicity Unclutters

Faith and love reside not in buildings but in the heart. The spirit is portable and resists being locked up. Simplicity always begins with a leap of faith. And simplicity will enable you to leap lightly.

Simplicity begins sensibly. You may wish to scrutinize your life for any excess baggage - not just material possessions, but affections, beliefs and prejudices that bog you down and impede your pursuit of happiness.

Complex machines are more likely to break down than simple tools. The same is true of your life. You are seeking to establish a functional, integrated life, which is marked by integrity. The simpler your life , the less there will be to manage or wear out because there will be fewer working parts. You will be able to concentrate on the things that produce the most satisfaction without worrying about accessories that malfunction

Simplicity via Thoreau & Yount

I was reading in my new book A Contemporary Quaker Reader: Imagination & Spirit about simplicity today. The section was written by David Yount who begins with some observations on Thoreau's experience.

"Simplify, simplify, simplify" urged Thoreau who followed his own counsel. What he sought and found was "economy". For Thoreau economy meant extracting the most from life by keeping the mind clear and the senses alert.

It is a mistake to believe that for life to be full it must be like a room crammed with furniture. A crowded life leaves no space and no time for enjoyment. Crowding distracts the mind, dulls the senses and starves the soul.

Simplicity enriches.

Thoreau's experience led him to this seemingly naive yet unquestionably wise conclusion: "That man is the richest whose pleasures are the cheapest."