Despite our theme for this month being an exploration into simplicity, modern life can be anything but simple. Right?
We may like the idea of “less is more,” but the execution of everyday life seems to carry more of a flare for one more thing:
- One more event
- One more email
- One more errand
- One more meeting
Thing is, “one more thing” always has a way of reminding us of one more thing we want or still have to do, get, complete, find, or accomplish.
It’s a never-ending loop.
Though we like the idea of simplicity, we also like our choices. And life brings an unending amount of choices on the daily. Hence why simplicity is so darn complicated—go figure🤦🏼.
But what if one area of simplicity could be found in simply flipping the equation?
Instead of one more thing, think one less thing.
- One less event
- One less email
- One less errand
- One less meeting
Like the wisdom of Matthew tells us: “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more (my emphasis) than these is of the evil one.” —Matthew 5:37, WEB
This in itself is an act of saying yes to simplicity and no to complexity. And this way of life indeed involves practice.
So, as you sit with the following prompts in today’s intermission, consider inviting God into this journey.
Ask The Holy to guide your choices this week and month as you move toward intentional acts of awareness and simplicity.
Instead of striving for one more thing, consider one less thing instead.
—With Joy
Pause for Thought
“Simplicity creates margin and space and openness in our lives. Simplicity asks us to let go of the table of wants so we can receive the simple gifts of life that cannot be taken away. Sleeping, eating, walking, giving and receiving love, the benefits we take for granted, are amazing gifts. Simplicity invites us into these daily pleasures that can open us to God, who is present in them all.”
Source Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, p.85.
Pause for Practice
Use the following list to consider what areas of “one less” you could attempt to practice this week. If this list feels overwhelming for you, skip it and create ideas more conducive and specific to your lifestyle. But try a few things to see and notice just how much simple adjustments can bring a sense of simplicity to your life.
- Speak simply. Don’t communicate with double meanings, or half-truths.
- Skip the excuses. If you can do something, commit. If you can’t, say no.
- Limit the choices. Do you need six different kinds of breakfast cereal? Aim to pick one food, one brand, one flavor.
- Slow down. If you can get where you need to go by walking rather than driving, try walking.
- No spontaneous yeses. When you are tempted to say yes, stop yourself and say, “Let me think about this for a moment. I’ll call you back in ten minutes.”
- Park the meetings. If you can at all get yourself out of one meeting, do so, and notice what that feels like.
- Think “One Less.” When it comes to emails, messages, social media scrolling, your calendar, errands, or extracurricular commitments, approach everything this week with a “one less” mentality. Notice what happens.
Source Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, p.72.
Pause for Examination
Spend five minutes each day paying attention to your schedule and the daily decisions you make regarding everyday life. Assess the commitments and activities you say yes to, and ask yourself if they help support your sense of wellbeing, or if they keep your life convoluted, complicated and confusing. What can you do to work toward simplifying such things?
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- Click here for previous month’s art offerings
P.S. This little guy has the right idea. No matter what you get right or wrong in life, own your choices! 😏
