Simplify

Today I enjoyed one of my favourite breakfasts, a soft boiled-egg and a slice of rye bread. It's a simple, uncomplicated meal.

As I ate my breakfast, I thought about the Advent word for today given in the global Advent Calendar that I am trying to respond to each day of Advent 2017.

Today's Advent Word is 'simplify'.

This makes me think of all those how-to articles in magazines and blogs, such as '10 steps to simplify your life', 'how to de-clutter your home'. Sometimes trying to do those things turns out to be more complicated than simple. Sometimes we don't want to let go of things or attitudes that get in the way of simple living. That doesn't mean it isn't worth making the effort, especially in the 'run-up to Christmas' when the pressure can be to do more, spend more, work harder to create that illusive 'perfect Christmas'.

I find the words 'live simply, that others may simply live' a real challenge.

The origin of this mandate for living is attributed to a variety of people, including Mahatma Ghandi.
Many people in the world have no choice but to live simply when every day is a daily struggle to fetch water and find ways to get just enough food to survive another day. Perhaps one way those of us who have more than we need could simplify such people's lives is to give to organisations like Water Aid. Water Aid works to bring clean water and sanitation within reach of more communities. 

To simplify can mean to travel lightly.

Travelling lightly through life involves learning to appreciate the simple basics that bring joy to life, like clean water and basic food.

In the 'Lord's Prayer', Jesus taught his disciples to pray every day, 'give us this day our daily bread'. In his blog this week 'Seven reasons to say the Lord's Prayer every day', Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford, suggests that praying 'give us this day our daily bread' is about finding the only way to be content:

"Give us this day our daily bread.

All year we are bombarded by advertising: every time we look at a screen or listen to the radio or open a magazine. The single aim of advertising is to steal our joy and create discontent and longing for more stuff or different experiences. 

Jesus teaches his followers to pray each day not for more but for just enough. This is the open secret of what it means to be content and find joy in this life: to realise and appreciate what we have. This line alone is the antidote to the misery created by consumer culture (especially at this time of year)."

Simplify

What food for thought does that word stir up in you?

Image Credit: Myriams-Forbes on Pixabay, CC License