“Truth is ever to be found in simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things.” Isaac Newton
Is your life fairly simple or are you busy all the time? How do you feel about that? Do you try to please everyone or are you simply who you are in every situation?
(Many thanks to Randy for giving us today’s topic. Again, thanks to all of you who made so many great suggestions. For next week, the topic will begin with a “T” so if you have a favorite word starting with “T” please leave it under Comment. Thanks!)
Simplicity is a word most of us are unlikely to use to describe our lives at the moment. It’s a lovely idea, but in reality, it is often challenging to achieve. We’ve all grown up in a world where we can move around freely and explore whatever appeals to our curiosity. Now, though, we are surrounded by limitations that make shopping, playing with kids, visiting friends, or going to school or work more challenging.
So, how do we create the simplicity we need in our lives in the midst of chaos? If we have more time at home, like many of us who are retired, the easiest way to simplify our lives is to downsize.
Simplifying Things Can Be Easy
I enjoy organizing things in the house and rearranging as if redecorating a room. But to create a simpler environment at present, I have to get rid of some books. So far, I have failed to do this.
The few books I have cleared out haven’t created much space and they still sit in a box waiting to be taken away. Every time I pick up a book I think I’m ready to let go of, I find a reason to keep it. If I had to move, perhaps that would push me to let go, but that won’t happen in the near future.
Clearing out some of our collection of things is probably the easiest way to simplify. However, clearing space to find who we truly are may be our greatest challenge, and living in a complicated world makes this confusing at times.
Becoming Our True Selves Can Be Difficult
Being who we truly are means shedding the costumes we wear in different situations. Who are we at home with the spouse and/or children? Who are we at work? Who are we with other members of the family or with friends? Having to play a different role in various circumstances complicates life.
We have to look beyond the outer. Do we like who we are? If not, are we willing to make the changes that allow us to be our true selves?
Being a different person in different situations may mean we do not accept who we really are. If we accept our weaknesses as well as our strengths and love ourselves, then we are more likely to draw to us people and situations that are pleasing.
Finding Acceptance With Others
I moved to Asheville because I knew it was my soul’s home and I knew I had to follow my soul’s guidance in order to find a way to live and be myself.
I became part of a spiritual community that accepted people as they are. They didn’t try to convert people to their way of thinking because their philosophy was based not only on Jesus’ teachings, but eastern spiritual paths as well. I found peace there because I didn’t have to pretend to accept views I was uncomfortable with and I quickly made friends.
Difficulty At Work
Working as a substitute in the high schools was another story. It made my life more complex because each school had its own culture and the school system as a whole had a culture as well. Being myself didn’t work well at times because I was asked not to discipline students or to ignore problems that I felt the administration should deal with.
Work situations like this complicate our lives but if we set aside time to reflect and perhaps meditate each day, our quieted minds can give us wise guidance based on the core of the problem. It may not be what we really want to do, but following our anger or frustration is not likely to improve the situation.
Becoming Who We Really Are
For some of us, the confusion in our minds is related to negative messages we received as children. Seeing a spiritual counselor or a therapist may help us learn how to let go of the garbage and move on. We are products of our past, but we are also who we choose to be if we are willing to do the work it requires.
Simplifying our lives may be the best starting point from which to grow into better loving ourselves and others, leaving the unnecessary clutter behind.
© 2021 Georganne Spruce
AWAKENING TO LAUGH AT SIMPLE THINGS
AWAKENING TO SEE OURSELVES HONESTLY
Awakening to the Dance 