I'm learning that simple is not often the easy road. Cindy said it well in a comment last night..."simple is complex when you live in and among plenty and privilege." Trying to swim against culture, trying to constantly navigate the need vs. want tension, delaying gratification, etc.. It's also not always the most convenient, time-efficient way to live...as it takes time to plan well and be intentional about everything from budgeting to gift-giving to meal prep., etc... Not easy to do in the busy culture we find ourselves living in. There's a cost in pursuing simplicity.
On the other hand, though, simple can lead to easier. When I do the initial hard work of de-cluttering my closets and drawers, etc., I find it much easier to clean my house, to move about, to have peace about the homefront. I can look to other things that, after doing the hard work of discipline for awhile, have really created some space and simplicity, some sanity from the insanity. I see benefits in pursuing simplicity.
I don't think a lifestyle of simplicity will look the same for everyone, but I thought I'd throw out the question today...what are the costs, what are the benefits of journeying in simplicity?
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6 comments:
I feel a bit hypocritical giving an opinion on your question since I have yet to truly take this journey. To be honest, though, I guess my NOT undertaking the simplicity journey, even for 30 days, must say that I ultimately felt the costs outweighed the benefits...at least in the short run.
I agree that, over the long haul, once you could say you had adopted lifestyle changes reflecting simplicity (after the hard work over the long haul...little changes over time, as talked about earlier), the benefits are endless. Discipline PLUS passion PLUS vision PLUS lots of prayer...just like any worthwhile significant change.
Awareness is always an excellent place to start and you all have reminded me of some of the little things I don't think about anymore in my full life. Thanks for that.
Good quote for the day that I just read:
"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart. And try to love the questions themselves."
Rainer Maria Rilke
Fitting quote for me and for a friend going through a life-storm with MANY scary unsolved questions...where simplicity seems unfathomable to her right now. I passed it on to her. Thanks, Laura.
Today I laughed out loud in the parking lot at Jag's because I found myself victim to one of culture's best advertisers! I found myself with an hour to myself (second half of Mom's Morning out) and I was really looking forward to some quiet time for reading/prayer/journaling. I also have been "at home", literally, this week...which has been great, but I also tend to "need" (or want?) a bit of time to myself then to fuel back up and have a break from 2 year old world and conversations. I actually told myself right before I ordered a steamer and pumpkin bread that I deserved this special little treat that costs $2.98!! Now, that money could have gone towards the gas I "need" to put in the van, the juice I "need" to buy for my son because he can't drink milk right now, the library fine I "want" to pay, or anything else in my life that I spend money on during my regular week (not the library fine of course) :)
But- this made me think of Laura's question...cost vs. benefit.
This little scenario could have been different...I could have left some extra change in my pocket, not gained the extra calories, used my tea at home that I bought by the box at a grocery store, and not felt guilty about spending that money. Now- does this become a cost to me or a benefit? Depends how and what you let outweight the other???
I'm back at joy vs. guilt.
This simplicity thing does have me thinking and it is keeping me a little accounatble...I really wanted to check out the sales for Jaxon's next year clothes (I try to buy a year ahead off of sales racks) and I also wanted to buy some home furnishings to finish decorating a wall in my bedroom. I did not do either. The clothes I may end up doing...the wall deco...I think it can wait. A month ago I probably would have just gone.
Awareness is a GREAT starting place...Cindy you hit it on the nail I believe! Next comes conviction....discipline....transformation....and the benefits really start to add up!
Great comments everybody - really helpful to hear what is going through other peoples' minds! :)
At lunchtime I got a call from Chad that he was at McD with the kids and a couple other guys and their kids. My first response was, "did you forget about the simplicity month? What if some people from church see you at McD???"
How SAD is that!?!
One of the other families that was there goes to OHC so the good news is that they apparantly all got into some lively conversation over it while they enjoyed their Big Macs & fries.
So, a hard cost for us to deal with is not joining friends socially when it requires extra dollars...(don't you love how I pick on something that my husband did rather than myself? Of course I have done the same type of thing this month too because I was with friends and my selfish heart didn't want to say "no" bad enough)!
The flesh is weak & whose strength am I trying to do this with anyway? I think I need a bigger picture and plan for what the money we save is going toward.
You write very well.
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