Simplicity: RADICAL SIMPLICITY
If I had remained unmarried and without children, I am certain I would not have had any trouble accomplishing this. This can happen within a family pattern with hard work and dedication.
1) Rent instead of own.
2) Live on a houseboat and travel in it as well.
3) Turn you van or small RV into your home and use that as transportation as well.
4) Use a bike or walk as your only method of transportation.
5) Don’t own a phone, cell phone computer or television.
6) Keep your personal belongings to bare minimum need level.
7) Stop doing meaningless tasks; clean less and do less laundry.
8) Do without electricity or hot water…even running water.
9) Grow your own food and make your own clothes.
10) Become totally self-sufficient and you won’t need a real job.
11) Keep only a battery operated radio in case of emergencies.
12) Make all of your own fragrance oils, face products and body product.
13) Make your own deodorant and toothpaste.
14) Make all of your cleaning products and personal medicines.
15) Become so entirely self sufficient that you would only need to go to the store for toilet paper! It can be done!!
By this point you will probably be ready to start some inner simplification. This step is not that hard if you’ve already simplified the outer part of your life. This is the CLARIFICATION stage where you examine what part you will play in life and how you can go about starting. You are now free to grow within and do the things that are really important and meaningful.
Now that you have gained more clarity of mind you can begin to search within and hopefully find your purpose. I would say spend time walking and meditate or whatever brings you to your inner self. Books and magazines can be inspirational but it is your own inner voice that will be your true guide. If there is something you really love doing, get busy doing it. See if this special something can be of service to someone as well as possibly making it your life’s work. Try to focus on creating a positive attitude at all times and remove negative thoughts and worries from your mind. When you think negative thoughts that is what will most likely come your way. The following are some quick tips on inside purification and simplification.
1) Surround yourself with color and beauty.
2) Learn to give as well as receive.
3) Remove yourself from negative persons or situations that you can’t seem to help.
4) Do not judge others as you go through your inner growth process. They may not understand. Have lots of patience.
5) Smile and relax and you will attract happiness and peace.
6) Always be honest.
7) Understand when someone is unkind to you, it is only their inner selves is not at peace and is still struggling. Remember this and you will never be offended.
8) Always try your best to treat others with pure kindness & without motives.
9) Learn from negative situations in your life.
10) Be thankful.
I always knew I would be a teacher. I started piano lessons at a very early age and made that my life’s work. I was a private piano teacher and pre-school teacher for many years. I also loved helping people and making them feel good about themselves so the Simplitudes website was born along with this project. I also carry this work into my children’s life as well by teaching them they are special and wonderful and can accomplish anything. Now that my daughter is getting older I feel I have taught her and will continue to teach her she is beautiful and full of purpose no matter what. She is self-sufficient, strong and secure with herself and with what she does. I know I’ll leave my knowledge and love with them after I am no longer a part of this world. That in itself is the most wonderful and rewarding accomplishment any human can do for themselves, their children and the world.
Once you have found what you were meant to do and begin doing it you will feel whole and will not want anything more than to discipline yourself for the work at hand and be filled with endless strength and energy. Not too many jobs can offer that especially if you’re not doing what you know you were meant to do in the first place. As you proceed with your purpose-filled life’s work you should let go of any harmful or unnecessary habits such as: negative thoughts, anger, worry, drugs, smoking and drinking. Bad habits are better gotten rid of quickly. Taking too much time to rid yourself of these habits will just get in the way of what you really need to do. Eat right and get plenty of rest; try to go for a walk everyday and drink plenty of fresh water. Everything you say and do should always be carried out with the best of intentions. You will receive so much more in return. You should begin to feel as though you are connected with all that is our universe. You will appreciate all things around you that you probably didn’t even notice before.
Here’s a help list:
1) Keep positive and walk your talk.
2) Follow the basic laws of nature and humanity. Respect nature and treat others in the same way you would want them to treat you.
3) Do not purposely harm anything or anyone.
4) Find out what you love to do and make that your life’s work.
5) Simplify all aspects of your outer and inner life.
6) Clean your body out of any and all bad habits.
7) Live in the NOW.
8) Keep away from negative influences and concentrate only on your positive work and life.
9) Let others know what you are doing if they ask; be patient with them as well if they don’t understand at first.
10) Enjoy your kids!
A CLOSING SUMMARY
Here’s the condensed version of steps that I’ve covered for Simplification…
1) Be positive and you will attract only good things.
2) Always do what you know is right and never hurt others.
3) Simplify all aspects of your life so you can begin to search within your own self and find what you are really meant to do.
4) Keep yourself healthy and avoid bad habits and negative people.
5) Think only good and pure thoughts and never do things with unkind motives.
6) Bring yourself to your basic need level and only want what you need.
7) Help others to simplify.
8) Try to be more service to fellow humans and work together to bring more harmony and freedom to this world.
9) Let go of material possessions once they no longer are of use.
10) Enjoy time doing nothing!
“NO ONE IS TRULY FREE WHO IS STILL ATTACHED TO MATERIAL THINGS, OR TO PLACES, OR TO PEOPLE. WE MUST BE ABLE TO USE THINGS WHEN WE NEED THEM AND THEN RELINQUISH THEM WITHOUT REGRET WHEN THEY HAVE OUTLIVED THEIR USEFULNESS. WE MUST BE ABLE TO APPRECIATE AND ENJOY THE PLACES WHERE WE TARRY, AND YET PASS ON WITHOUT ANGUISH WHEN WE ARE CALLED ELSEWHERE. WE MUST BE ABLE TO LIVE IN LOVING ASSOCIATION WITH PEOPLE WITHOUT FEELING THAT WE POSSESS THEM AND MUST RUN THEIR LIVES. ANYTHING THAT YOU STRIVE TO HOLD CAPTIVE WILL HOLD YOU CAPTIVE, AND IF YOU DESIRE FREEDOM YOU MUST GIVE FREEDOM. ”
Peace Pilgrim 1908-1981
THE FREEDOM OF SIMPLICITY
“Some seem to think that my life dedicated to simplicity and service is austere and joyless, but these do not know the freedom of simplicity. I know enough about food to nourish my body properly, and I have excellent health. I enjoy food, but I eat to live. I do not live to eat, and I know when to stop eating. I am not enslaved by food. My clothes are most comfortable as well as most practical. My shoes, for instance, have soft fabric tops and soft rubber-like soles & I feel free as though I were walking barefoot. I am not enslaved by fashion. I am not a slave to comfort and convenience & for instance, I sleep equally well in a soft bed or on the grass beside the road. I am not burdened by unnecessary possessions or meaningless activities. My life is full and good, but not overcrowded, and I do my work easily and joyously. I feel beauty all around me and I see beauty in everyone I meet – ”
Peace Pilgrim 1908-1981
The excerpts you read were taken from a booklet called Steps Toward Inner Peace written by a woman who called herself Peace Pilgrim. Her life was dedicated to peace and simplicity. You can receive this booklet as well as other books and informative materials from: FRIENDS OF PEACE PILGRIM 7350 Dorado Canyon Road, Somerset, CA 95684 USA. Materials are given for free upon asking. You can also contact the center at:
530-620-0333
Email: friends@peacepilgrim.org
www.peacepilgrim.org
Please Note: STEPS TOWARD INNER PEACE is not copyrighted and you are welcome to reprint it in whole or part.