Simplicity

Simplicity
What is simplicity?

I can, of course, only speak for myself. For myself, it is a value and a practice.

I find it connects with clarity, a one pointed goal or a guiding code of ethics, values: spiritual, personal.

When I was quite young, I decided that I wanted to keep my life uncluttered.
So, I made a rule that if I didn't use, or see, or think about something for 3 months, I had to give it away.
For the most part, I have kept to this practice for over 50 years.
I believe I inherited this detachment from my Grandma Bessie, who was singularly unattached to things. You always had to preface complimenting her on something she was wearing or had with "I don't want it but .." as she would immediately take it off and give it to you .

"Gram, I love your sweater, but I don't want it!"
Often, she would give it to you anyway.

It seems that simplicity can be connected to generosity.

I have failed somewhat with books, (although I have given away hundreds) and her china and I do love calendars. It's not much really.

Also, I think when one suffers great loss, "things" become one dimensional, as it becomes instantly clear that they can not bring back a loved one who has died, or health that has vanished, or the loss of freedom.....

Perhaps it has to do with ownership. I don't really own anything.

Much to my eternal surprise, (being a Cancer with 5 planets in Cancer in the first House), I have been a nomad, moving so many times I have lost count. My teaching work took me all over Europe, the U.S. and The Middle East, and so I learned to carry home with me, and create one wherever I was. Simplicity.

I have lived in some of the most beautiful places the world. A Castello in a Tuscan vineyard, a huge old stone farmhouse in the south of France, the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Catskill Forest Preserve.......

My calling has moved me.

I think simplicity is connected to learning to let go, simply, for the sake of letting go.

Simplicity may be the act of letting go of everything that does not bring peace and blocks love.

I often think of it as, "What am I worshipping, (giving all my energy and focus to) today?

Confusion? Anger? Selfishness? Fear? Hopelessness?
Lack?

Simplicity: Dedication to a core ethic, a value that supports life, love, the earth and all beings.

And since it's an infinite practice, clearly it could take forever to achieve it.

The simplicity of patience.

Next:

“The Simplicity of Empathy"