January 25, 2010
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Simplicity and solitude
I do not remember when I first began thinking about simplicity, about what it means and how one achieves it. I think perhaps it has always been a concept, idea, desire that floated through my conscious and unconscious mind. Nor do I remember when I began to think of solitude but that too has rolled through my adult consciousness because I have for thirty-seven years had so little of it. But now that I have the ability to live both, I feel it is time to put these concepts, ideas, desires in the front of my living.
Solitude is something I now have in abundance. While the children are in and out and certainly in my thoughts, they are adults and my concerns for them are different than when they were babies and children and teens. Solitude however is not as simple as being alone. Solitude implies productive moments of prayer or thinking or writing or meditating. Solitude is a full life. It is a life lived well.
Simplicity is also a life lived well. It is not denial but rather making choices that allow space for giving to others and the sharing of self. Every act becomes a conscious one.
For me and my sisters poverty is freedom, and the less we have the more we can give. Poverty is love before it is renunciation. It is not that we cannot have luxuries. We choose not to have them. This freedom brings joy, and joy enables us to give in love until it hurts.
- Mother Teresa
I made a conscious choice when I moved to take only what I loved and what belonged to me. Thus my life is uncluttered by stuff. My next conscious choice was to grow things – a small plot of vegetables, a pot of basil on the windowsill. I do not grow all I consume. I think I would like to maybe some day. I would certainly like to grow MORE of what I consume. I seek to simplify my footprint on this earth – to make less of a mark. Thus I recycle now and have succeeded in having only one bag of trash each week. Now I must make a conscious effort to give more – not money perhaps but self. Where can I volunteer that allows for prayerful and thoughtful service….hmmmm.
Comments (10)
I look up to you. May I quote your paragraph about the Mother Teresa quotation? My prayers are with you.
@BoureeMusique - Sure, quote whatever you’d like. Thank you for your prayers.
Good morning. Simplifing life is much harder than one would expect. I would love to make things more simple around here.Our foot print has been shrinking but we could do more. Good luck with your efforts. As the kids become adults it seems that it’s hard for them to think of us as just people and not their parents as well. I fall back into the mom mode too often.
Sorry for the ramblin’ comment. Got lots on my mind you know.
I see parallels to where I am now in my life ….these are good thoughts that you have. What I find hardest right now is solitude. It’s interesting, I desired more of it when my kids were young and constantly around. Now that they are in college, I have this solitude… and am still in touch & see them…but honestly, some days trip from solitude to loneliness, which I do not desire.
wonderful post
This was relaxing to read. The solitude doesn’t have to be loneliness especially for a person who has raised children and is around them often. Oh the peace!
I admire the simplicity aspect of your choices. The things we own can own us and I loathe feeling owned by a thing.
If there’s a Catholic Worker House nearby, it might be a good place to volunteer.
Have you read “Walden”? It’s about solitude and simplicity.
RYC: if some strange hippie shows up don’t worry, it’s only me!!!
haven’t experienced your solitude, but i would like to someday (don’t want hubby to go away…) i’ve been alone alot, but never lonely.
side note – church garden?!? (the idea came to me awhile ago because everyone was losing their jobs and this local church has acres of land – i’ve wanted to call them and encourage them to convert the land into a giant garden – service project/meditation center/free food for those in need)
Solitude ans simplicity are good! Thanks for visiting! God bless, ~ Pete
“Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you…” Isaiah 43:4 (ref. my post of 1/24/2010 AD)