Have you heard yourself saying things like:
I am too busy.
I have no time for myself.
My life has gotten too complicated.
I’m too tired to enjoy life.
Or words to that effect?
Maybe it is time to consider practicing simplicity.
Did you know that July 12th is National Simplicity Day?
Why July 12? That is the birthday of Henry David Thoreau, author of Walden. His birthdate was July 12, 1817.
Thoreau wrote: “ With all of the details and nonsense we’re bombarded with in our everyday lives, it can be hard to even recognize when it’s too much, but if we learn to recognize it, we can do our best to simplify it.”
Now these words were written by someone living over 170 years ago in small town Massachusetts. He did not deal with traffic jams, pollution, too many carpools, cable news, internet or any of the other myriad of modern day stresses. And even in what we consider much simpler times, Thoreau felt the need to seek a more simple way of life. Even more reason, I think, to ponder his words.
For most of us, things have gotten out of control. Our stressed-out bodies and minds have become our norm.
Fear not – I’m not going to suggest living in a shack in the woods by Walden Pond.
That would be extreme – no doubt. But what if we consider the practice of simplicity as a form of personal freedom?
The famous Shaker hymn, “Simple Gifts”, written by Elder Joseph Brackett in 1848 begins:
‘Tis a gift to be simple,
‘Tis a gift to be free
The Shakers were a Christian religious sect that believed that they were to create Heaven on Earth through communal living. And they believed that living in a simple fashion was fundamental to such creation.
Fear not – I am not going to suggest living in a commune and giving up marital bliss.
Simplicity is about removing the distractions that prevent us from fully experiencing a sense of well-being and joy.
Perhaps for you, the practice of simplicity means slowing down and sitting on a porch in a rocker, spending more time in nature, de-cluttering your living spaces and your mental spaces, striving for balance…
I would encourage you to turn the observance of National Simplicity Day into your own personal National Year of Simplicity. Become conscious of ways that you can simplify your life… one action at a time. Small actions combine to create big results.
And as you simplify your life, notice that the true Gift of Simplicity is Freedom.
