Much of spiritual practice is just this: cutting away what must be cut, and letting remain what must remain.
Knowing what to cut—this is wisdom.
Being clear and strong enough to make the cut when it is time for things to go—this is courage.
Together, the practices of wisdom and courage enable us, day by day and task by task, to gradually simplify our life.
+Wayne Muller
AVE YOU MADE your New Year’s resolution yet? I’m trying for what seems to be a simple resolution by just living life more simply each day. I’ve been doing this from time to time over the years by cleaning out my closets, purging my book shelves, getting rid of clutter, and enjoying the feeling of accomplishment whenever I can pull this off.
As a religious Sister, I have taken three vows that are meant to help me simplify my life— poverty, celibacy, and obedience.
Being a Franciscan, one who follows in the footsteps of the Poor Man of Assisi, I have plenty of examples of living simply and joyfully among the people. The question today is why do I have to keep reminding myself to live simply and when, if ever, will I be able to say or feel that I’m really doing so?
From what Wayne Muller says, it seems that wisdom and courage are needed to know the what and the when in order to live simply. It also seems to be something that does occur from time to time and is not really an always-and-forever mindset. Like many resolutions in our lives, it’s a goal, a vision, and a mission and not always achievable in this lifetime.
As I move along into my later years, I find myself needing more time to do even some of the tasks of daily living. Just getting out of bed in the morning can take a few more minutes as I thank God for the night’s sleep and ask for the grace to accept whatever happens that day. Just putting my socks and shoes on seems to require more huffing and puffing than it used to. Brushing my teeth takes less time because I have fewer teeth to brush, so I guess I can be grateful for that. Due to some previous surgeries, it takes me longer to get dressed and to walk from one place to another, and getting up from a chair and into and out of a car is also a challenge these days. At times it does seem to take wisdom and courage to even face the day and some tasks. Rather than seeing this as something of a problem, it is possible to view these changes in my life as a way of helping me to gradually simplify my life in yet another way. My body and even my mind seem to be showing me a new way to think about simplicity. At this time and in this place, I simply pray for the wisdom to know what must be cut from my life and the courage to be clear and strong enough to make the cut when it is time for things to go. I wish you the wisdom and the courage to do so if you resolve to simplify your life in 2024.
Sister Mary Thill is a Sylvania Franciscan Sister. She can be reached at mthill@sistersosf.org. ✲
