Outward Simplicity

"There are two ways to get enough: one is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less." -- G.K. Chesterton

We are well-schooled in the accumulation mentality here in the United States of America. It is as natural to us as breathing. What is not natural to us is "desiring less." We think of that as sacrifice. We think of that as giving up something. But what if it turns out that what we thought was sacrifice actually frees us to be happier and more "comfortable"? What if it turns out that by giving up something, we receive even more?

In our family, we have chosen to not pursue fancy birthday parties for our kids, and instead celebrate with creative, homemade birthday parties. Are our kids deprived? No. And the parties we have hosted are different and memorable from the umpteen thousand Chuck E. Cheese parties to which our overindulged suburban children have been invited. This is but one of many choices that we have made as a family regarding ways we spend our time and money. We host neighborhood grill-outs and game nights with friends as a way to foster relationships without buying into the constant lure of entertainment spending. We drive cars that are functional and practical, but by no means extravagent. Instead of fancy ski resort vacations, we rent a cabin in a state park and go cross-country skiing. We go family camping to foster a love for nature and family memories.

This is not to say that we don't have many aspects of our life that need to be scrutinized and recalibrated as we seek to be ever more faithful. But there are countless opportunities to live into Chesterton's insight to "desire less."

What are some ways that you can make adjustments in your life so as to "desire less" as we continue to consider the Freedom of Simplicity together?