Simplification

Being in Covid quarantine has made me realize the sweet blessing of simplification. Simplification in where my time is spent... in how many things I need to have... in my clothing choices... I realize the fact that I am at all in a position to have these luxuries says a lot about how blessed I am and that I am not making the difficult choices others around the world are dealing with simply to keep from starving.

Looking back over different stages of my life, I can honestly say I have been the happiest and most fulfilled when my living situation was one of simplification. I think back to college, being a camp counselor, and as an intern in a different state. In all these situations I had some choice things that I owned, but was not burdened by a plethora of "things" I had to maintain. I was not worried about where my food was coming from. The richness of those times was in the relationships I was able to form and that I was surrounded by because of the simplification in the other areas.

What I have seen these past weeks is when I let go of the fear of needing to control how my needs are going to be met and open up my schedule, I am once again in a sweet time of simplification. The turning down the volume of the "have this and do everything" voice we have in our ear has allowed my to be in tune with and hear so much more around me. Sounds and conversations that are usually sacrificed to the busy are being heard and happening. Relationships are deepening and coming back at the center. As I enter into my own simplification, I am awed by God.