Minimal
“To go beyond, is as wrong as to fall short” – Confucius
I haven’t written a lot here, this year. This is, in part because of the burdensome nature of 2020, and its existential harrying, tarrying and vexatiousness. And, the result of such; deep, existential exhaustion. As well as, introspection and the re-creation and diversion of my own core foundations. Instead, I’ve spent a great deal of my time in meditation and prayer. Or, exercising and learning to move my body again, in a healthy way that promotes healing, wellness and strength. In a way that serves to bind body, mind and spirit and promote wholeness and balance. Balance of body, mind and spirit, as well as, existentially, and materially. Learning to live simplistically and minimally. And, though this may sound like an easy process, it’s actually quite a daunting task.
As spiritual leader, author and social justice activist, Thomas Merton once wrote, “Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony.”, it is about embracing all aspects of our core being, and nurturing them, equally in a healthy manner. In a way that promotes living authentically, honestly and rightly and, in balance. About tuning into our own inner narratives; what we love, what we desire, what we’re passionate about, what makes our spirit soar, and what brings us deep sadness, misery and regret. And, about feeding and nurturing the things that bring us health, wellness and wholeness; body, mind, spirit, as well as existentially and materially. And, starving those that bring us the polar opposite.
It’s funny, I was always a big proponent of balance. Always trying to live in a way that promoted this kind of health and wellness, for myself and selling the idea to others, at the same time. However, I never truly understood what that truly looked like, until this year. Until this horrible, awful, trying year, that forced me – forced us all, to take stock of ourselves and our lives. Forced us to make mammoth decisions and monumental changes in our lives. A year of great division, and tremendous unity, at the same time. And, a year of exponential growth for many. Trials by fire and a washing clean by floods of water. A year for more contemplation, mediation, and re-creation for me; versus that of creation and expression, as I normally engage in.
A year that saw everyone unintentionally become a minimalist at their very core; desiring a life of simplicity and unburdening ourselves of baggage and distractions. A year of loss and tribulation, but also of great richness. Not monetarily, but existentially. As author, Jackie French Koller put it, “There are two ways to be rich: One is by acquiring much, and the other is by desiring little.”, this year saw most our desires decrease, and consequentially, our heaviness of burden lifted and lightened. Which is part of this balance process. One that I always aspired to engage in but never truly understood, until this terrible, awful, very bad year. But a year of acquiring balance and wisdom.
Author, motivational speaker and business man, Steven R. Covey wrote, in “7 Habits of Successful People”, that, “Wisdom is your perspective on life, your sense of balance, your understanding of how the various parts and principles apply and relate to each other.” My perspective on life has changed considerably throughout this year. I have learned to find gratitude in all circumstances; adverse and favourable, alike. I have learned not only what I can live without, and still be happy, but also, what I need to discard to bring me joy. I’m sure you’ve all heard of author and minimalist, Marie Kondo, and her best-selling book, “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up”. In her book, she talks about clearing clutter and removing things that don’t bring you joy. She also discusses why we accumulate and acquire both, tangible and intangible, relational, and existential clutter in our lives; that, “when we really delve into the reasons for why we can't let something go, there are only two: an attachment to the past or a fear for the future.". This is as true for material possessions and responsibilities as it is for relationships, interests, and other things that weigh us down and burden us and our lives.
From a minimalist perspective, we need to keep only what brings us joy. What that looks like, depends on what is burdensome, tiresome or heavy in your life; versus what brings you joy. This year has not only highlighted my need; and everyone’s, to be honest, to do the same but has actually seen many begin that process, themselves. That has seen both myself, and many others discard what brings us anguish, pain, frustration or misery. And, keep only those things that bring us joy, happiness, peace and balance. That is the life of a minimalist. That is the life I now desire for myself.
I’ve been working on this since the onset of this pandemic; spiritually, and existentially, at first. And, this past summer, I also began the process of doing the same, materially. After fifty years of life and accumulation, it’s going to take some time to do this with the tangible elements of my life and existence, but I’ve felt freedom and lightness with every item I’ve given away, sold or discarded already. As, I have with the process of analyzing and categorizing and discerning between the keeping and discarding of the intangibles in my life. It’s liberating. As Marie Kondo says, and I agree with her, "It's a very strange phenomenon, but when we reduce what we own and essentially 'detox' our house, it has a detox effect on our bodies as well.". It’s definitely had that effect on me; body, mind and spirit. As has the act of ‘downsizing’ and unburdening myself from certain activities, interests, tasks, narratives and thought process, and even, relationships. Although, I am still going through the motions of ‘downsizing’, in all areas of my life, I have already become a minimalist at my core.
By doing all of these things, out of necessity versus desire, I’ve found that balance that I always sought. And, it’s not only brought me the holistic health and wellness; balance, that I always wished to achieve, but never knew how. It has deepened my understanding of balance, and of true un-burdensome joy. And, has taught me that happiness is not the absence of adversity or pain but the ability to live abundantly within all circumstances. The ability to find peace and balance; wellness and gratitude within each circumstance in which you find yourself, in your lifetime. I’ve learned to live in all circumstances.
I wear a cross that says, “I can do all things”, it comes from Philippians 4:11-13, “11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me”. This cross is a symbol of my Faith, and is a constant reminder, especially this past year, that there is always peace, love and light, gratitude and joy to be found in life. And, that we simply have to look around us, within us, and outside of our circumstances to find it. That, there is beauty to be found in the ugliest of situations, and light to be found in the darkest of times. That all we need to do is seek it and we can find that beauty in the most unsuspecting of times and places. And, that the easiest way to see these things, and the truth of the matter; the easiest way to find balance and learn to live well in any circumstance, is to clear the clutter.