Enough already! (aka, learning to be content)

“Who is wealthy?” the Sages ask, and answer, “One who is happy with his portion.”

A few months ago now, as part of a book group on living simply, I went through everything in our house and gave away or sold about 1/3 of it.  I haven’t looked for one of those items. What’s more, I still look around and find much more that we do not need.

A friend asked what we would do if we came upon a need for something we no longer have.  I said I am trusting that the item would find it’s way back to us if necessary.  We could always borrow or purchase it again.  However, I am perfectly happy with one cake platter instead of 5.

In Everyday Holiness: The Jewish Spiritual Path of Mussar, Alan Morinis writes, “When you undertake to be satisfied with little and not run after unnecessary things, whether food, clothing, possessions, experiences, or mental states, you will have simplified your life.”

In the quotation below, I like how it emphasizes that spiritually focused abstinence is not a matter of denial but contains within it seeds of liberation.

“If being content with what you have is an attitude, it is not meant to be a fatalistic one. It’s more positive than that.  At its core, this inner attitude is about elevating the spiritual above the physical. It calls for transcending materialism in favor of a way of living that acknowledges the primacy of the spiritual in your life.”

Contentment also means faithfully believing that we don’t need to worry as much about the future.  What freedom! No need to dwell on the past or future, but focus instead on right now.

Food is the classic Jewish example of this trait.  In my Mussar class, I spent two weeks studying this trait.  One of the ideas spoke to me and I wanted to try it. Essentially, it asks us to create a moment of conscious awareness when we are eating.  “Every time food is approaching your mouth, take a brief moment to consider what you are about to eat. Investigate your motive for eating. Is it the simple need of the body born of hunger? Or is it indulgence? Social pressure? And consider whether the food you are about to eat is good for you.” (Rabbi Zvi Holland)

Well, I had already been doing this to a certain extent, having been on Weight Watchers for a few months.  Since I am eating less than I was before, I am more mindful and appreciative of every bite.  With my daughter, we have wondered out loud where our food comes from and how many people were involved in getting it to our grocery store.  (Also in my study of this concept, I read about people who live close to the land, eating what they grow and living simply, and that lifestyle sounds very fulfilling.)

I always know when my daughter needs to eat.  Too little nutrition doesn’t allow our bodies or minds to function well and do what they need to do.  Similarly, while we could buy her many more of the little “made in China” plastic items that she always wants at stores, we want to teach her to value and to be content with what she already has, and we try to be an example of that too.

My grandparents, who lived through the Great Depression, have always “made do” with what they had.  Still today, our current culture of running to the store for something baffles them I think.  My grandfather actually grew up on a farm in Poland, growing their own food, milking their goats, and owning only two changes of clothing.  He needs very little even now.

It’s not just things, but our schedules too.  It’s difficult for me to connect with a simpler way of living if my phone is always dinging with new emails!  Since I seem to be a professional volunteer all of a sudden, I find it hard to focus on one task at a time.  I can be intently working on a book fair spreadsheet when someone gets back to me about a girl scout soup kitchen project, and then I’m off in that direction.

So we drive a nice car and live in a nice house…  it’s ok to enjoy life.  I think we are supposed to.  But there’s enjoying life and then there’s going to the extreme.  Its all about peace of mind.

Tell me how you might simplify your life?